Urban Expansion and its Socio-Economic Impacts on the Livelihood of the Farming Community in Sululta
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU
Abstract
The main aim of this study is to identify the wide-ranging impact of urbanization on the farming
community of Sululta, which is located 23 km north of Addis Ababa. Social, cultural and
economic impacts which are brought about by urban development are explored. In addition, the
study also explores how the local farmers adapt to and resist the urban expansion.
In order to accomplish the objective of the study, thirty farmers were interviewed unstructured
and semi-structured interviews; other seventy farmers were also consulted through survey
qu~stionnaire in the course of the study. Furthermore, concerned government authorities from
Sululta Municipality were also sources of information for this study.
The results of the study show that urban expansion in Sululta is taking place at accelerated rate
and also at the expense of local farmers' livelihood. It was found out that there was a gap
between policy contents and implementation, which resulted in negative consequences on the
livelihood of farming community.
Sululta is facing a major social, cultural and economic change as a result of urban expansion,
industrialization, residential development and other formal and informal businesses.
Accordingly, local farmers' livelihood, social relations and cultural practices are at risk. Thus,
local farmers consulted for this study had developed dissatisfied feeling towards the urban
development in the area, and lost sense of belongingness to the development program. The study
recommended that, unless the urban expansion of the area is managed properly, the impact on
local farmers' livelihood will be dangerous.