Abstract:
Uncontrolled and unplanned urban sprawl is a common event for both developed and
developing countries. Nevertheless, the level and cause varies from one country to
another. Urban sprawl in developed countries is related to socio- economic development
and industrialization, but the major factor contributing for rapid urban sprawl in the
developing countries is attributed to rural to urban migration, natural increase and
others. Debre Markos town is one of rapidly expanding town of Ethiopia over the last
decade due to different factors. As a result, the objective of this study is to examine the
spatial extent, pattern, rate, and socio- economic impact of urban sprawl on the
community living on the outskirt of Debre Markos town with the help of GIS and RS
techniques. To achieve this objective both quantitative and qualitative research approach
had been used together with primary and secondary data sources. As the Analysis of the
data indicate that the extent of built up land use/cover area progressively increased
throughout the study period from3163.05 Ha (12.01%) to 5952.69 Ha (22.61%) in 2001
and 2017 respectively other than, farmland diminished from 11863.35Ha (45.01 %,) to
9811.53(37.27%). This LULC change is more significant impact on the socioeconomic
condition and status of the study area. As the outcome proves, 84.4% of the respondent
lost their land, consequently their production decrease in different amount. Generally the
total expansion of the town within the sixths year duration 88.2% while, it’s annual
Increment was 5.5% per year. Hence, the major corrective measures could be take on the
spatial planning which can balance the land demand of urban areas and reduction of
agricultural land in the fringes of Debre Markos town.
