The Trends of Squatter Settlement and Its Impact On The Development of Jimma City.

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess the trend of squatter settlement and its impacts on urban development in Jimma city. To achieve the goal of the research, a descriptive research design and a mixed research approach was employed to achieve the objective of this study. A questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussion were used to collect primary data. Secondary data were collected from various sources such as articles, books, offices of the kebele, documents and online resources. From the total of 17 kebeles in Jimma city, Ginjo Kebele, Seto semero and Boche bore were selected purposively on the basis of the major expansion of squatter settlements and its contribution to unplanned city expansion. After the collection of the necessary information has been completed, the quantitative data was presented in the form of table, chart and graph and the qualitative data was presented in the form of words, sentences, or text. The findings of the study showed that squatter settlements are increasing from 2016 to 2017 E.C. After showing slight decrease in 2018, squatter settlement expanded in 2019 and 2020 in Jimma city. . Lack of affordable housing, increasing land prices, profit motive, rising housing rent, lack of electricity and water supply, problem of personal hygiene, and poverty were considered as socio-economic factors that contributes to the expansion of squatter settlements. Inability to afford the price of land in the formal land market, lack of legal ownership, poor living standard housing condition, exposure to the flooding problem, and unplanned expansions of the City were considered as the negative impact of squatter settlement on social and economic development of Jimma city. The city administration should continuously create awareness to the community concerning the forth coming negative impact on the development of the city and the government should have to revise its urban land policy.