Patterns, Causes and Consequences of Urban-Ward Migration in Ethiopia: The Case of Kombolcha Town
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Date
2002-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In some developing countries such as Ethiopia the phenomenon of ruralurban
migration which is mainly triggered by rural 'push' factors than urban 'pull' factors is the main cause of unbalanced rate of population growth and distribution between urban and rural areas. This situation in turn affects the healthy
development of both urban and rural areas.
In spite of this fact, not much in known on many of the aspects of rural-urban
migration. The present study of migration to Kombolcha is mainly concerned with an
assessment of the flow pattern and characteristics of migrants, and the major causes
and consequences of the flow of people from rural to urban areas.
In order to find out the problems, 537 household heads were randomly
selected from the total household heads residing in the town. Structured and open
ended questionnaires were prepared on the demographic and socio-eocnomic
characteristics of both migrant and non-migrant households. However, large part of
the questionnaire is mainly centered around the migrants.
Most of the migrants move to the town alone. They have some information
about the town and the decision of their migration is mostly made by themselves.
However, most of them migrated spontaneously. A greater number of the migrants
are short distance migrants, young adults, males, married and had some form of
education.
There are many causes for the movement of the people to the town. Among
them the need to join friends and relatives, the search for job and urban amenities
and facilities are the most important.
Many of the migrants encountered problems at the initial period of adjustment
and adaptation and even currently. However, many of them are not far below the
natives in the town in their socio-eocnomic conditions.
In line with this, some useful points of recommendations for effective urban
management and rural development activities are suggested
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Geography and Environmental Studies