Abstract:
Urban expansion may involve both horizontal and vertical expansion of the physical structure of
urban areas which result in loss of peri urban agricultural lands all over the world. Urban
development in Ethiopia led to several socio-economic impacts and the basic problem is that
urban growth causes displacement and loss of agricultural farmlands. The objective of this
study, therefore, was to examine the impacts of urban expansion on the community based
organization and economic conditions of peri-urban communities in Durame town with specific
objectives of identifying factors that cause urban expansion in the peri-urban communities, the
consequence of urban expansion on the social and economic conditions, effects of urban
expansion on employment and identifying the role of governmental institutions on the provision
of rehabilitation support and post-expropriation follow up of the expropriated farmers. In order
to attain these objectives, 230 sample households were selected using simple random sampling
method from two (Lalo and Zeraro) kebeles of the study town. Primary data was collected from
the sample households using survey questionnaire, Key informant interview and FGD were also
conducted as planned and these data were used qualitatively to substantiate the findings.
Furthermore, quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as Tables,
frequency and percentage; qualitative data were analyzed by using narrative analysis.The
results of the study indicated that the expansion of Durame town brought significant impacts on
the peri urban community in their socio-economic life like unemployment and disintegration of
social organization. Expropriated and dislocated peri-urban land holding communities faced a
number of social and economic problems in the post expropriation time due to inefficient and
inadequate compensation. There was no post expropriation follow-up and rehabilitation support
for expropriated peri-urban households. Te town administration should facilitate an opportunity
for the peri-urban land holding community to participate on the process of decision making
during expropriation, compensation, and resettlement. Generally, urban expansion,
expropriation and compensation program that may be proposed in the future needs policy
directions about post expropriation rehabilitation and continuous support for dislocated peri
urban households which adequately involve the peri-urban community
