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The Impact of Rapid Urbanization and Public Housing Development on Urban Form and Density in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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  • Larissa Larsen

    (Urban and Regional Planning Program, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, 2000 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Kumelachew Yeshitela

    (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Tilahun Mulatu

    (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Sisay Seifu

    (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Hayal Desta

    (Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

Abstract

Urban development is occurring in many Sub-Saharan Africa cities and rapid urbanization is underway in the East African city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In an effort to address urban poverty and increase homeownership opportunities for low and middle-income residents, the City Administration of Addis Ababa initiated a large-scale housing development project in 2005. The project has resulted in the completion of 175,000 units within the city with 132,000 more under construction. To understand the impacts of both rapid growth and the housing program’s impact on the city’s urban form, we compared the type and distribution of land uses in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between 2006 with 2016 using hand-digitized, ortho-rectified satellite images in Geographic Information Systems (GISs). While residential density has increased, overall density has decreased from 109 people/ha to 98 people/ha. We found that between 2006 and 2016, land occupied by residential housing increased from 33% to 39% and the proportion of informal housing decreased from 57% to 38%. Reflecting the country’s economic prosperity, there was a dramatic increase in the presence of single family housing, particularly on the city’s western side. In 2006, only 1% of residential areas were occupied by high-rise condominiums (4 floors or greater) and this increased to 11% by 2016. The majority of the new, higher density residential developments are located near the eastern edges of the city and this outlying location has significant implications for residents, infrastructure construction, and future development.

Suggested Citation

  • Larissa Larsen & Kumelachew Yeshitela & Tilahun Mulatu & Sisay Seifu & Hayal Desta, 2019. "The Impact of Rapid Urbanization and Public Housing Development on Urban Form and Density in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:8:y:2019:i:4:p:66-:d:224097
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fox, Sean, 2014. "The Political Economy of Slums: Theory and Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 191-203.
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    1. Amanuel Weldegebriel & Engdawork Assefa & Meron Tekalign & Anton Van Rompaey, 2022. "Urban Land Monetization-Driven Land Use Orientations: An Insight from Land Lease Prices in Addis Ababa," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Eyasu Markos Woldesemayat & Paolo Vincenzo Genovese, 2021. "Urban Green Space Composition and Configuration in Functional Land Use Areas in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Their Relationship with Urban Form," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, January.
    3. Koroso, Nesru H. & Zevenbergen, Jaap A. & Lengoiboni, Monica, 2020. "Urban land use efficiency in Ethiopia: An assessment of urban land use sustainability in Addis Ababa," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. John E. K. Akubia & Antje Bruns, 2019. "Unravelling the Frontiers of Urban Growth: Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Land-Use Change and Urban Expansion in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-23, August.
    5. Yong Wang & Wei Chen & Xuteng Lu & Hang Yan, 2023. "A Solution-Extracted System for Facilitating the Governance of Urban Problems: A Case Study of Wuhan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Kumelachew Yeshitela, 2020. "Attitude and Perception of Residents towards the Benefits, Challenges and Quality of Neighborhood Parks in a Sub-Saharan Africa City," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-17, November.
    7. Yirga Ayele, Bosena & Megento, Tebarek Lika & Habetemariam, Kumelachew Yeshitela, 2021. "‘‘Governance of green infrastructure planning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’’," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).

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