Urbanism and living conditions in Debre Markos town
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Date
2014-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urbanization has become a major global phenomenon and rhe de~'liny of our planet. This
process is highly facilitated by population growlh. technological and injrastrucillral progress. I,
has a strong potential to bring profound changes in the entire living condition of residents both
posillvely and negatively although the former by far Ollt ways the later. This paper analyzes 'he
stale of urbanism and living condition of residents in Dcbre Markos /oll'n; the capillJ/ of Eastern
Cojjom Zone of Amhara regional sla/e.
The general objective of fhis study is /0 assess fhe socio economic and housing siluOlion of
residents oj Debre Markos tOWI1. A cross-sectiollal srudy design was used. 71lc stlldy employed
both quantitative and quolillllive research methods, flamely household survey, in-depth
interviews, key informant interview and observation. A 10tal of 38./ sample household heads
were se/ected through systematic random sampling for Ihe sun'ey. On lOp of this in deplh
inlerview was employed with 8 resideflls and one key informam from town adminislratiOlf office.
The findings revealed thai in Ihe past few years the town has wilnessed a tremendous spalial
expansion as a result of the hOI/sing demand created by the growing populalion. 11 has also
shown a significant improvement in terms of infrastructure and small and micro enterprise
developments. Service providers are mushrooming and the cons/ruction seClOr is in progress.
The town is characterized by significant homogeneity in terms of language and religion
indicating the fact that it isfarfrom being a cosmopolitan center. Local social organizations are
negatively influenced by the urbanization process. Regarding 011111101 income 11I0S/ of the
respondents are found 10 be 101l'-income urban households. 11 also revealed that the mojorily of
households had access to an improved source of drinking water. /n terms of quality, the large
majority of houses are of substandard class thai is mainly buill out of wood and mud maleria/s.
Unemployment, absence of publiC places and inappropriale sonitalion and waste mwwgemenl
are identified as challenges for the de\'elopmenl of the town as a growing urban cemer. The
silldy recommended the need to imprm'e the environmemo! and physical conditions of the area
through public participation and further strengthening of Ihe role of micro sand small scale
enterprises to create employment opportunities.
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Keywords
Urbanism and Living Conditions