Determinants for the escalation of informal settlements and its consequences in the suburbs of Butajira Town; Central Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Informal settlement is a global problem practised by all social classes. However, the extent and the context of the problem are serious in developing countries. The objective of this study was to identify the determinant factors for the escalation of informal settlements and their consequences in Butajira town, central Ethiopia. A mixed research approach with a sequential explanatory design was employed. Both qualitative and quantitative data were systematically collected and analysed using softwares like ArcGIS 10.3, ENVI 5.3, and SPSS. Primary data was collected through a household questionnaire survey from 221 samples and thirteen key informant interviews. Secondary data was also generated from different governmental reports, previous studies, and books. Employing a multiple linear logistic regression analysis, the empirical findings revealed that the informality was determined by a combination of factors such as monthly income, previous residence, mode accession of the respondent’s current holding, and brokers’ agitation as they were found to be statistically significant in determining the informality at a 95% confidence interval. It is found that informal settlements are expanded alarmingly in the study areas at the expense of the nearby agricultural fields. The effects are witnessed in the town resulting disorganised infrastructures and a spontaneous network of villages. The Municipality is engaged in preventive measures like demolitions and punishments but it did not bring any meaningful solutions. The researchers recommend the ‘punitive approach of marginality theory’ that insists on the forceful relocations of the informal settlers, but with the provision of adequate services

KEYWORDS:

• Informal settlement
• land use land cover change
• determinant factors
• escalation
• butajira town

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the finding of this study are available from the corresponding author, (Adane Mengist, [email protected]), up on reasonable request.

Notes

1. Kebele is the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia.

2. Sebat Bet (seventh houses) Guraghe are the lineages associated with ethnic group and language of the Guraghe nation.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive any financial support for this study.

Notes on contributors

Adane Mengist

Adane Mengist is a graduate of governance and development studies with his BA and MA from Hawassa University in 2010 and Jimma University in 2015 respectively. He also earned MSc in GIS and RS from Jimma University in 2016. He is a lecturer at Debre Markos University, civics and ethical studies department. Since November 2022, he is studying for his PhD in land policy and governance program at Bahir Dar University.

Worku Nega

Mr. Worku Nega graduated from Bahir Dar University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Administration and Surveying. He graduated with a master's degree in remote sensing and geoinformatics from Addis Ababa University in 2018. Mr. Worku Nega has been working as a lecturer by Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics in Institute of Land Administration, Debre Markos University. Mr. Worku has an interest in the research area of remote sensing and GIS application on vegetation cover, environment and climate. In addition, he is also very interested in the field of land administration.

Tilahun Dires

Mr. Tilahun Dires had his LL.B degree from Debre Markos University School of Law in the year 2016 and his Msc. Degree in Land Administration and Management specialization in Real Property Law from Bahir Dar University Institute of Land Administration in the year 2018. He has been working as Lecturer of Real Property Laws and Land Management in Debre Markos University Institute of Land Administration. Besides, he is currently the Executive Director of Administrative and Students’ Affairs Directorate of the University. Mr. Tilahun Dires has a research interest in the areas of Land Law and Land Management.