BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTION OF LAND ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Thesis Title: Urban Slum Area Redeveloping In Bahir Dar City: The in Case
of Keble_02 Area

A Thesis Submitted to Bahir Dar University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture

BY: ZEBIBA AREGA

Advisor: Yirsaw Zegeye

January, 2017
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

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DECLARATION

This thesis is submitted to the Bahir Dar University, Institute of land administration, department of

Architecture, the School of Graduate Studies of Bahir Dar University in Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the bachelor Degree of Science in redevelopment of slum area

TITLE OF THESIS: REDEVELOPMENT OF SLUM AREA

Author: Zebiba Arega Seid Signature ____________ Date: February, 2017

As thesis research advisor, I hereby certify that I have read and evaluated this thesis prepared under
my guidance by Zebiba arega entitled “Redeveloping Slums area, in case of kebele 2, Bahir Dar
city, Ethiopia. I recommends that it be submitted as fulfilling the thesis requirement

Advisor, Yirsaw zegeye, Signature ____________ Date ___________

Research coordinator, Simachew Ayanaw Signature ___________ Date ___________

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all thanks to God who gave me huge patience and moral from the beginning to the end of
my task. Second, I would like to thank my advisor Yirsaw zegeye, who has been an excellent
mentor throughout this semester and continuously motivated me in the right direction.
I thank all other faculty members who have been constantly supporting me and gave me the right
feedback about my work. Also, finally I would like to thank my family my friends who has been a
constant source of encouragement and motivate me throughout the course

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ABSTRACT

Slums can be defined as informal settlement of a low income community with a low standard of
living. These settlements often lack a good sanitary and west disposal system which creates
different health problems on the inhabitants.

The problem of slums is increasing from time to time throughout the world especially in developing
countries. The main focus of the study is on the growth of slums, problems and gives solutions. One
of the major problems of an urban area is a slum..It is more common in developing countries .It can
be defined by poverty, low income, inadequate living conditions and sub-standard facilities.

Slums in developing countries normally have multi-dimensional problems from housing to socio-
economic problems. Poor, old houses and emigrants from rural areas are concentrated in slum
areas. The main objective of this study is analyzing the problem and positive side of the slum
dwelling and redevelops by keeping the positive side in social and spatial quality, design affordable
dwelling and social norms of the area.

In general the lack of suitable housing condition, waste space based on orientation, space
arrangements, street narrowness and material lack thus the issue is branded as economical, social
and environmental effects. All these character create a slum settlement in bahir dar city kebele 2 but
there are good qualities the society needs to keep like social relation between the neighborhoods.
Creating a batter living environment is one of this thesis targets and relocating the people who live
in the site before the redevelopment plan

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1. Problem Statement ........................................................................................................................ 8
1.2. Motivation ..................................................................................................................................... 8
1.3. Rational of the Study .................................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Objective of the Study................................................................................................................... 9
1.5. Research Questions ....................................................................................................................... 9
1.6. Benefit/ Significance of the Study ................................................................................................ 9
1.7. Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................................ 9
1.8. Methods of the Study .................................................................................................................. 10
CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................................... 11
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Relative Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 11
2.1.1 What Is Slum? ......................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.2.1 Factors Responsible For Growth of Slums .......................................................................................... 12
2.1.3. Characteristic of Slum............................................................................................................................ 13
2.1.4. Approaches to Slum Improvement ........................................................................................................ 13
2.1.4.1. Slums: A Consequence Of Inadequately Planned And Rapid Urbanization ...................................... 13
2.1.4.2. Comprehensive, Participatory Approach To Slum Upgrading ........................................................... 14
2.1.4.3. Adaptive and Proactive Approaches ................................................................................................... 14
2.1.5. Global Dimension of Slums ................................................................................................................... 14
2.1.6. Slum policies in African countries ......................................................................................................... 15
2.1.6.1. Forced eviction and slum clearance .................................................................................................... 15
2.1.6.2. Slum resettlement programs ............................................................................................................... 15
2.1.6.3. Slum upgrading programs ................................................................................................................... 15
2.1.6.4. Cities without slums action plan and the slum upgrading facility ...................................................... 16
2.1.7. Slums- The Ethiopian Context ............................................................................................................... 16
2.2 CASE STUDIES ........................................................................................................................................ 17
2.2.1. SLUM DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL IN CAIRO-EGYPT ........................................................ 17
2.2.1.1. Lessons from Case Studies ................................................................................................................. 19
2.2.3 GROWTH OF SLUMS IN KEBELE 07, DIRE DAWA CITY ............................................................. 20
CHAPTER 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 24

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OVER VIEW OF BAHIR DAR CITY ............................................................................................................ 24
3.1. Historical Background of the City ............................................................................................................ 24
3.2. Population ................................................................................................................................................. 25
3.3. Location and Area ..................................................................................................................................... 25
3.4. Topography ............................................................................................................................................... 25
3.5. The Role of the Town ............................................................................................................................... 26
3.6.Potentials and Strength of the City Administration ................................................................................... 26
3.7. Site Selection ............................................................................................................................................ 27
3.8. Characteristic of the Site ........................................................................................................................... 28
3.9. Land Uses ................................................................................................................................................. 29
3.10. Road ........................................................................................................................................................ 30
CHAPTER 4 .................................................................................................................................................... 31
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 31
4.1 REAL PROBLEM OF SLUM AREA ....................................................................................................... 31
4.1.1. Household Characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 31
4.1.2. Origin and Length of the Stay ................................................................................................................ 31
4.1.3. Education Level ..................................................................................................................................... 32
4.1.4. Housing Condition and Material ............................................................................................................ 32
4.1.5. Environmental Condition ....................................................................................................................... 34
4.1.6. Kitchen ................................................................................................................................................... 34
4.1.7. Toilet ...................................................................................................................................................... 35
4.1.8. Pollution ................................................................................................................................................. 35
4.1.9. Open Space ............................................................................................................................................ 35
4.1.10. Social interaction ................................................................................................................................. 36
4.2. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................... 36
4.2. 1.Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 36
4.2. 2.Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 37

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 LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 1 Slum Area Housing Condition And Problem (Internet) 11

Figure 2 Slum Growth In Africa (Internet) 15
Figure 3 Residential Density, Internet 17
Figure 4 Slum Area In Cairo, (Internet) 17
Figure 5 Upgrading Slum Area In Cairo, Internet 19
Figure 6 Housing Condition In Slum Area, Endalemaw 21
Figure 7 Map Of Ethiopia 27
Figure 8 Map Of Bahir Dar City 27
Figure 9 Kebele 02 Selected Site For Upgrading Slum Area 29
Figure 10 Ownership Map 32
Figure 11 Housing Condition 32
Figure 12 Roof And Wall Construction Material 33
Figure 13 Floor Finish Used In The Site 33
Figure 14 The Road And Open Space Used As Waste Disposal 34
Figure 15 Use For Kitchen 34
Figure 16 Open Space Found In The Site 35
Figure 17 Existing Green Space In The Site 35
Figure 18 Social Gathering 36

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 CHAPTER 1
1.1. Problem Statement
Bahir dar is one of tourist center city in Ethiopia the government is developing the city and
demolishing the slum area to replace by other functions like hotels, commercial building.

In the slum area of the city there are different kinds of problem affecting the society living
condition in different ways like availability of good infrastructures, building typologies and nature
of the space.

The existing buildings on the area are Unsafe for occupants and too old with a poor construction
and with a disorganized arrangement of settlement. In terms of privacy Close buildings have less
privacy & space. The streets are served for various activities of individuals beyond its use for
passage and as a result it is occupied by objects, people and construction material. since the streets
are too narrow it lacks parking area for cars. The nature of the areas is accumulated with narrow
spaces which ignore a space for private activities and lacks sunlight, plant and vegetation.

 But slum areas have their own qualities in social and life style of the people.
 If the above problem minimized It’s cheap to live in slum area
 In small area there are different kind of use incorporate or the space use for multifunction
 Used local easily available material
 Low vehicles movement because of the street multifunction

1.2. Motivation
The existing problem around kebele 2 and its need to be redesign including; the house, street,
infrastructure and other needs in the area. Facts about slum area and living condition of the people
in Ethiopia is obvious there are so many uncomfortable living situation still the people live in this
area and make the best of the situation

1.3. Rational of the Study

In order to grow of a sustainable rate the people and the living condition need to be balanced so it is
mostly current issue in the development and change of the city in Ethiopia 90% of the people live in
slum areas so it need to be the main focus in designing for this area mainly considering about
economical, social and environmental point of view must consider about the people need

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1.4. Objective of the Study

1.4.1. General Objective

The general objective of the study is to analysis the problem and the quality of slum area in bahir
dar around kebele 2 and to provide a recommended slum redevelopment design project

1.4.2. Specific Objective

 To identify the positive and negative side of the slum area

 To identify the real problem of slum area
 To provide architectural design solution for a slum area

1.5. Research Questions

 What are the positive and negative sides of slum area?

 What are the problems of slum area faced?
 How to apply architectural design solution?

1.6. Benefit/ Significance of the Study

 Academic purpose for final thesis project to finish bachelor degree of science
 To design, prevent and upgrade the problem of the society without compromising the norm and life
style of the people
 To social benefit when its apply

1.7. Scope of the Study

The scope of the study manly covers a slum area in bahir dar city kebele 2 around wisdom tower.
Focus on the housing, street and service found in the area

Slum area is a vast concept to analysis. It is mandatory to extract and make it a specific concept to
study and developed to the stage of project design this paper focus in bahir dar city around kebele 2
analysis and study about the problems and potential of the site and gives architectural solution to
the site

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1.8. Methods of the Study
This study gathers different kind of data used and put together to get and understand the problem of
the slum area

1.8.1. Literature and case study

Study about slum area in previous research and study about different slum area from local to
international case studies

1.8.2. Data collection

In order to analysis and study about the specific site, the study will try to use different method of
data collection like primary and secondary data collection to identify and understand the problems.
Primary data collection: - The primary data sources are physical observation, interview, recorded
data and consultation.
Interview will be conducted with concerned bodies in order to understand about slum area, also
interview the society who lives in the area.
Physical observation is used to assess the existing site
Secondary data collection: - The secondary data sources are, statistical information from different
websites and organization documents, books, journals and similar researches are referred to
construct the study.
Design concept from the finding and analysis

Program and Schematic design

Design
Floor plan, elevation, section, site plan, Detail drawing, 3d and model

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 CHAPTER TWO

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Relative Literature Review

2.1.1 What Is Slum?
Slums are often defined as, “buildings and areas that are environmentally and structurally deficient. A
result of multiple deprivations such as; illegal land tenure, deficient environment and inadequate
shelter and are the result of the gap between the demand and the legal and formal supply in the
housing market” (Amey et al, 2009).

UN-HABITAT (2003b) defines slum as any specific place, whether a whole city or a neighborhood,
if half or more of all households lack improved water, improved sanitation, sufficient living area,
durable housing, secure tenure, or combinations of all.

Slums in the traditional sense are housing areas that were once respectable — even attractive — but
which deteriorated after the original dwellers moved on to new and better parts of the city. The
condition of the old homes declined as they were progressively subdivided and rented out to lower
income people.

In general slums can be defined as informal

settlement of a low income community with
a low standard of living. These settlements
often lack a good sanitary and west disposal
system which creates different health
problems on the inhabitants.

Figure 1 slum area housing condition and problem (Internet)

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2.1.2. Growth of Slums

In 2011, nearly 1 billion people live in slums in the cities of the world. That is one-seventh of
humanity! Every single second, somewhere around the world, one person moves into a slum. By
2020, more than 1.5 billion people will live in slums without significant intervention to improve
access to water, sanitation, secure tenure and adequate housing. Most of these slums are in the
cities/towns of the developing countries of the world. The annual urban growth rate in Sub-Saharan
Africa is almost 5 percent, twice as high as in Latin America and Asia. (Acioly, 2007).

2.1.2.1 Factors Responsible For Growth of Slums

Slums result from a combination of poverty or low incomes with inadequacies in the housing
provision system, so that poor people are forced to seek affordable accommodation and land that
become increasingly inadequate. There are many factors responsible for the growth of slum in city
areas” Slums come about because of, and are perpetuated by, a number of forces. Among these are
rapid rural-to-urban migration, increasing urban poverty and income inequality, insecure tenure, and
lack of affordable housing all contribute to the creation and continuation of slums. Half of the world’s
population is living in slums (Tsion Lemma, 2006).

A. Poverty
Slum conditions are caused by poverty and inadequate housing responses, which are mutually
reinforcing, to some extent. Although poverty in urban areas has been increasing for some decades
and there are now higher numbers of the ‘poorest of the poor’ in urban centers throughout the world
than at any previous time, the urban poor are usually able to help themselves -more than their rural
counterparts. (Amis, 2000).

B. Lack of Affordable Housing

Malfunctioning of the land markets and inadequate land delivery systems for affordable land and
housing in urban areas may hinder access and consequently drive poor families to peripheral areas or
to completely inadequate sites ending up in informal and often illegal practices as defined by urban
plans and policies (Lwasa, 2002).

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 C. In-Migration
In-migration is the major factor responsible for growth of slums in one area. In less developed
countries, large numbers of international immigrants are refugees from neighboring war-torn areas.
(Goetz, 2002).

2.1.3. Characteristic of Slum

The term ‘slum’ is applied to a great variety of settlement types, what these share is an area
characterized by social and economic isolation, irregular land ownership and low standard of sanitary
and environmental conditions.

Slums are characterized by dilapidated housing conditions, inadequate provision of infrastructure,

services and public facilities, community cohesion, underutilization of scarce prime urban land,
unplanned settlement …
 Rural-urban migration and Low income source
 Lack of affordable housing and Housing problems
 Income inequality and Unemployment
 Shortage of public services, Sanitation and other problems
 Social, safety and security problems

Half of the world’s population is living in slums. Slums in developing countries normally have multi-
dimensional problems from housing to socio-economic problems. Poor, mostly emigrants from rural
areas, are concentrated in slum areas (Tsion Lemma, 2006).

2.1.4. Approaches to Slum Improvement

Approaches to Urban Slums bring together the growing and rich body of knowledge on the vital issue of
improving the lives of existing slum dwellers, while simultaneously planning for new urban growth in a
way which ensures that future urban residents are not forced to live in slums. (Nguluma , 2003).

2.1.4.1. Slums: A Consequence Of Inadequately Planned And Rapid Urbanization

Public authorities responsible for urban land and housing policies have not been able to meet the ever
increasing demand for affordable housing and serviced land in adequate scale. Urban poverty is on
the increase and growing number of households cannot affords housing in planned and serviced
settlements. Slum settlements and informal subdivisions on public or private land, often on hazardous
13
sites unsuitable for residential development, are a direct response to the absence pro-poor urban
planning and provision of affordable land and housing through formal process (Edelman, 2006).

2.1.4.2. Comprehensive, Participatory Approach To Slum Upgrading

Today, upgrading and prevention of slums are seen a sky measures to attain the objectives of urban
poverty reduction. The poor living conditions in unplanned settlements were put on the global
development agenda (UNMDG, 2000).

2.1.4.3. Adaptive and Proactive Approaches

Approaches to urban slums bring together the growing and rich body of knowledge on the vital issue
of improving the lives of existing slum dwellers, while simultaneously planning for new urban
growth in a way which ensures that future urban residents are not forced to live in slums. (World
Bank, 2008).

A. Adaptive approaches
Adaptive approaches are affordable and meaningful strategies that improve the situation of existing
slum dwellers and further strengthen their integration in to the social and economic fiber of the city.
Broadly speaking, adaptive approaches involve upgrading the level of urban services in slums:
physical, social and economic. (World Bank, 2008).

B. Proactive approaches

Proactive approaches can be significantly more cost-effective, affordable, and easy to implement than
retroactive measures. They are both financially and socially beneficial to cities, national governments, and
the urban poor. (World Bank, 2008).

2.1.5. Global Dimension of Slums

The remarkable global growth of urban slums in recent decades is a reflection of the urbanization of
poverty; such reorganization gives form to evolving “risk spaces” or areas in which a sub-population
is disproportionately subject to a myriad of hazards relative to other segments of society. In stark
contrast to the generally beneficial health consequences of urban social organization, urban slum
conditions are characterized by an observable “urban penalty.” Indeed, urban slum areas often exhibit
poorer health outcomes, lower life expectancy rates, lower levels of education, and diminished
economic opportunities relative to non-slum urban populations (Fitzpatrick and La Gory , 2000).

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2.1.6. Slum policies in African countries

Figure 2 slum growth in Africa (internet)

2.1.6.1. Forced eviction and slum clearance

Forced eviction relates to the removal of people from their homes or land against their will. Mass
eviction accompanied by demolition of slums is forcibly carried out by agents of the state there by
destroying in part, what forms of social cohesion that must have existed. Although adopted mainly
between the 1970s and early 1980s, when it became clear that the policy of benign neglect would not
lead to the disappearance of slums, this practice is still prevalent in many African countries (Olds, et
al., 2002).

2.1.6.2. Slum resettlement programs

Resettlement takes place when slum clearance entails the relocation of evicted households to
alternative location usually outside the urban area. Relocation programmers may either take the form
of the allocation of plots on which households are expected to build their houses or the provision of
low-cost housing. Resettlement programmers are often premised on the notion that evicted
households were legal owners of previously occupied land or had occupied such land for a long
period (Cheema, 2000).

2.1.6.3. Slum upgrading programs

Given the failure of previous strategies to effectively tackle the problem of slums and informal
settlements, many African countries in the 1980s, adopted slum and squatter upgrading programs
largely funded by the World Bank. Turner had argued based on field observation in Peru that the
15
solution to slums was not in their demolition, but in improving the environment: if governments
could improve the sanitary conditions and environmental quality of slums, then residents given their
organizational skills and resourcefulness will gradually improve their houses, especially when
encouraged by security of tenure and access to credit. The adoption of slum upgrading strategies
marked a radical change in official attitude towards slum and informal settlements (Werlin, 1999).

2.1.6.4. Cities without slums action plan and the slum upgrading facility

Virtually all slum upgrading programs in African countries have been initiated and largely funded by
external or foreign organizations. The City Alliance is a multi-donor coalition of cities and their
development partners, whose objective is to make unprecedented improvements in the living
conditions of the urban poor through city development strategies and scaling-up slum upgrading
programs both citywide and nationwide groups and local governments. (Okpala, 1999).

2.1.7. Slums- The Ethiopian Context

Researches indicate that the magnitude of slums in Ethiopia is one of the highest in the world. The
revised Addis Ababa City Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals Needs
Assessment Study asserted that 80 % of the housing in Addis Ababa is slum (ORAAMP, 2001;
Solomon, et al., 2004).
The causes of physical deterioration of urban centers in developed countries are related to transport
improvement, suburbanization, the withdrawal of large firms and higher income groups from city
centers, and related emerging social problems due to the decreasing attractiveness of such centers for
investment. These are not the causes of inner city deterioration in the Ethiopian urban contexts. Even
though the physical condition of city centers in Ethiopia is deteriorating, the locations are still in high
demand because of the limited improvement in transport, low level of suburbanization and the micro
nature of economic activities. (CSA, 2007).
In Participatory slum improvement, the slum residents take the first hand in the improvement of their
areas with the government taking the secondary role or participation. This approach involves
developing greater community consciousness, participation in a wider community, and self-help on
the part of the slum dweller. Because the approach takes the residents as first hand participants and
implementers of the programs with a sense of ownership, the improvement of slums becomes faster
and sustainable. Participatory slum development, whereby the slum dwellers take a first hand in their
local development, has been the most effective so far. (Sebawit, 2006).
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 2.2 CASE STUDIES

2.2.1. SLUM DEVELOPMENT AND CONTROL IN CAIRO-EGYPT

Slum development and control in Cairo has

attracted the attention of both local and
international bodies including the UN-Habitat.
This section therefore seeks to discuss the causes
and the manifestation of slums and how they are
being controlled in Cairo.

Figure 3 residential density, internet

A. Development Of Slums In Cairo

The Greater Cairo Metropolitan Area (GCMA) is a
vibrant Megalopolis with an estimated 14 million
inhabitants, making it the seventh-largest
metropolitan area in the world. It has a population
density of 40,000 people per square kilometer. Being
one of the most densely populated areas in the world,
it has also experienced a lot of slum growth (Jerome,
1990).

Figure 4 slum area in cairo, (internet)

B. Causes Of Slum Growth In Cairo

Cairo is perceived to be a place where opportunities are available, where people think that life could
be better and brighter than the rural areas. The GCMA is therefore a destination to rural-urban

17
 migrants who pour into the city on a daily basis. As a result, there is a mismatch between housing
supply and demand; where demand for housing far exceeds supply.

C. Factors Supporting Slum Development In Cairo

The concentration of main services and facilities of the country in Cairo has made the GCMA the
prime engine of economic growth in Egypt, dominating the economy even though it contains only
about 24 percent of the nation’s population. For instance, the GCMA houses about 55 percent of
Egypt’s universities, 46 percent of its hospital beds, 40 percent of its pharmacies, 40 percent of
private sector employment, 60 percent of cars, 50 percent of buses, and 33 percent of trucks
(Jerome,1990).

D. Physical Characteristics Of Slums In Cairo

The sewer and water systems modernized in the 1930s, which were intended to serve only about 2
million people now serves about 14 million people in the city. There is overcrowding of people into
warrens of slums, often without tap water or sewage system. Houses are constructed from any
materials available-wood, corrugated iron sheets, and even cardboards. Also very few local jobs,
schools, health facilities or form of public transport exist as compared to the ever-increasing
population of the city.

E. Socio –Cultural Activities In The Slums Of Cairo

It is not unusual to find people living on little boats on the river Nile, under the arches of bridges, and
in makeshift poorly constructed buildings. About one million people live in the cemeteries of Cairo
called the ‘City of the Dead’. Many engage in all kinds of crimes for survival in the city, and they
enjoy solidarity from each other.

F. Slum Control Program In Cairo

The discussion below shows the attempts made by the authorities of the GCMA to control slum
development in the city. The focus here is on the main slum control activities and the implementation
strategies.

G. Main Activities For Slum Control

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 Resettlement of slum communities at the outskirts of the city; the activities included the valuation of
properties, payment of compensations to affected homes, addressing grievances, and undertaking
redress mechanisms.

H. Implementation Strategies And Processes

The strategies used in Cairo to control slum growth were the urban renewal and resettlement. Under
these strategies, complete urban renewal of slum areas was done, relocating residents to other urban
areas. After the relocation, the lands were reused for other public purposes such as schools, youth
clubs, parks, and others with fair compensation in the form of housing units or cash.

Programmes to raise the skills and job marketability of the youth in the affected areas were organized,
businesses were supported with credit. The misunderstandings about informal and squatter areas and
the widely held negative perceptions were tackled through general media and information campaigns.

The infrastructure system designed and

implemented as part of the slum control process,
though made economic sense, the case of the
newer fringe informal areas was the worst off in
terms of levels of infrastructure services,
especially waste management, water and roads.
Accessibility and traffic into and within informal
areas was deplorable.

Figure 5 upgrading slum area in cairo, internet

2.2.1.1. Lessons from Case Studies

A. Successes

• The building of high-rise flats in the original slum locations to accommodate many people in durable
houses in an upgraded environment.

• Relocating migrants to the outskirts of the city with the provision of complementary and ancillary
services and facilities.

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• Provision of efficient transport systems and services to carry migrants to and fro the work places.

• Establishment of a comprehensive sustainability plan for the program, through which, individuals
could buy and own homes.

B. Failures

• Using the original slum sites for the construction of public facilities other than homes for the slum
dwellers.

• Relocating slum dwellers far away from the city centre without any efficient means of transport to the
city and without the necessary ancillary services to them.

• Removing slums without any clear-cut sustainability plan to cater for future slum growth in the city.

• Planning for the future of slum dwellers without involving them in the processes.

2.2.3 GROWTH OF SLUMS IN KEBELE 07, DIRE DAWA CITY

Slum has shown a continues increment in every five years .When we assess the area coverage in
meter square in kebele 07, in 1999 48,220m2 was covered by 346 households. This is the year when
the office of kebele 07 began collecting the data of slums. When we compare the number of slums in
1999 with that of 2004, it increased by 8140m2 area of slums with increment of 242 households.
factor for growth of slum:-

A. Poverty

According to the findings in depth interview, the respondents said that, those poor people who came
from rural areas through migration for the sake of job and other poor people who don’t have enough
income to live in a standardized dwelling area are forced to live in slum area.

B. Rural-urban migration
Most of them can’t obtain the job easily and it is difficult to obtain formal job, they are usually
engaged in the informal sector. They also start to live in slum areas as a result of low income. This
condition also contributes for the growth of slums both in number of dwellers and the area coverage.

C. Insecure tenure

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Most of the dwellers are living in kebele owned houses and others live in insecure private houses
without a title deed. They face insecurity because they cannot get permission to make major
maintenances and cannot sell. Therefore, insecure tenure is immediate factor responsible for growth
of slums.

D. The socio-economic conditions of slum dwellers

Regarding to this information the highest percentage of respondents are included under self
employed, but most of the self employers are engaged in informal sectors as hawker, daily wage
laborers and house wife etc. Their daily income is very low even they can’t feed themselves.

E. Social, safety and security problems in the neighborhood

The majority of the neighborhood dwellers are under the victim of illegal actions such as violence,
crime and theft. Generally, we can understand that slum areas are sources of social, safety and
security problems .As a result of these problems the dwellers have no fundamental freedoms.

F. Land use, accessibility and availability of services and facilities

As the researcher interviewed about the availability and accessibility of services and facilities most of
the respondents describe as majority of the people have no enough access to services such as health
services, educational services and others that are necessary for wellbeing of their life.

Figure 6 housing condition in slum area, Endalemaw

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 G. Green areas

In the site there is no accessibility of open spaces, urban agriculture, youth centers and recreation
areas. As the researcher observed this neighborhood is not comfortable to establish green areas,
because the existing houses are constructed without proper plan. They need proper plan to establish
green areas in the site.

H. Challenges that slum dwellers face in their life

As the investigator interviewed the key informants the major challenges of slum dwellers in their life
are unemployment, sanitation problem, low access in terms of infrastructures and poverty. Because of
poverty, some individuals are found being engaged in theft, using drugs, terrorism and in other illegal
activities.

I. The environment and infrastructures

 Focus of improvement
Infrastructures play an important role in changing an area in to more developed and civilized
strategy. So improvement of infrastructure is crucial for better socio –economic integration
among the society, housing, transportation, sanitation etc.

 Toilet facility
The availability of good toilet facility is necessary in one living place. Lack of toilet facility
affects the sanitary condition of the neighborhood and the health of the inhabitants. the highest
percentage of respondents use shared toilets.

 Sanitation and quality of the toilet

Toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human urine and feces. It needs
good sanitation .When the quality and sanitation of the toilet is poor it causes different
environmental problems .As a result it can cause different diseases on human beings like
diarrhea and other bacterial diseases. Most of the toilets in the study area are in bad condition
and they need improvement.

 The sanitation and quality of the kitchen

Kitchen is one of the indicators for living conditions in study area. It is important to analyze the
environment which exists in the study area. A modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a

22
stove, a sink with cold and hot running water, a refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. But, most of the
kitchen that is found in the study area is not equipped and poor in quality.

J. POLLUTION
Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant in to the environment. It is created mostly by human
actions, but can also be a result of natural disasters. Most of the people in the area are affected by
pollution.

K. AVAILABILITY OF VEGETATION
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region. It refers to the ground cover provided by
plants and is by far the most abundant biotic element of the biosphere. Vegetation releases oxygen
and sequesters carbon. But in the study area the availability of vegetation is very low. Most part of
the site vegetation availability is very low.

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 CHAPTER 3

OVER VIEW OF BAHIR DAR CITY

3.1. Historical Background of the City

Bahir Dar, the capital of the Amhara National Regional State, is situated picturesquely at southern
tip of Lake Tana, the largest lake in the country, and at the emergence of Blue Nile River. It Is
located 565 km northwest of Adds Ababa, the federal capital. Bahir is strategically located at the
northern tourist route of the country that makes it an important tourist node in northern Ethiopia.

The historical foundation of Bahir Dar City is associated with the establishment of Kidane Miheret
Church in the present site of St. Giorgis Church around the 14th century. Beginning from that time
as a rural village on wards it has developed into one of the current largest city of the country. Its
fast development and transformation into a modern town ship was made during the Italian
occupation period of 1928-1933 since it was used as a major military base for their expeditions in
the region. The naming of the city called as Bahir Dar has a connection with its near proximity to
the two water bodies of the surrounding (Lake Tana and River Abay). It means periphery of a water
body, which may be a periphery to one of them or both of them. As far as the reasons for its
foundation are concerned, the availability of these two water bodies and the foundation of Kidane
Mehiret Church in the area were the major responsible reasons among others.
The city is one of the fast growing cities in the country. It has huge development potential among
others that include tourism, industry, and service Sectors.
The city is labeled as metropolitan city containing 9 urban Keble’s and 4 satellite towns, which
located in the outskirts of the main city. Bahir Dar has been shown tremendous growth since its
establishment in particular after it was given the status of the regional capital currently it is one of the
fast growing cities in the country.
The City plan of Bahir Dar was first prepared in the late 1960s by the Germens Sin the city plan has
revised four times. The present city plan of Bahir Dar is prepared by the Federal urban Planning
Institute (FUP) and delivered to the city in 2006 this plan indicates only the land use pattern of the
city. But has not been supported with any local development Plan which is very vital for it
implementation. The lack of such implementation plan has hampered an efficient use of urban land
for long time and the same practice is still occurring in order to Improve a better environmental
quality of urban life Which will care for nature and the human environment it is essential to find
24
means ways to Solve problems (That happened on the urban area Today part of Bahir Dar City,
which Covered by the City plan an implementation plan or local development Plan. Now it may not
be Possible to plan and construct an entirely new city on it but it need improvements or
redevelopments

3.2. Population

The first national population and housing census conducted in 1984 puts the population of Bahir
Dar City as 54,766. The 2nd national population housing census conducted 10 year latter in 1994
shows that the total population as 94,235 in the city. The Central Statistical Authority (CSA) in its
Annual Statistical Abstract of 2004 projects the total population size of 159,793 (Male 82,498 and
Female 77,295) for the year 2005.

3.3. Location and Area

Bahir Dar’s core city is found in the center of Bahir Dar Metropolitan City Administration.
Astronomically, it is located at the geographic co-
east longitudes. In relative terms, Bahir Dar City is located at the distances of 567 km along Addis
Ababa – Dejen - Debre Markos- Bure road and 465 km along Addis Ababa –Dejen – Motta road.
Its location at this spot favors the city with many and multi-faceted opportunities like water
resources (Lake and River), suitable topography, favorable climate to live, to serve as a center for
northwestern Ethiopia and so on. The core city has an estimated area of 16000 hectares (400
gashas).

According to the 1996 master plan, the boundary of the city stretches up to Yibab Eyesus in the
west, Abun Hara Digil in the east (along the lakeshore), Igir Ber and Kutatna plateau in the south.

3.4. Topography

At the southern end of the Lake is a relatively gulf area where the town of Bahir Dar is located.
However, there are also some domes and ridges with relatively higher elevations that standout in
the area, particularly to the west and south of the town. Elevation variation in the area ranges from
1,786 m.a.s.l near the Lakeshore to 1,886 m.a.s.l at Bezawit. The town stretches over a
predominantly flat land with imperceptible slope changes, except for small rises in its eastern and
western peripheries. The slope varies from apparently zero to slightly over 20 percent in few places.
25
Most parts of the town, however, stretch on areas below 2 percent slope. The natural drainage is
very poor and there are also scattered and slightly depressed areas within the town's boundary,
which form temporary swamps when rainwater settles for short to prolonged period of the year.

3.5. The Role of the Town

Bahir Dar which is far about 565 kilo meters away from Addis Ababa, has already evolved into a
very important center for commerce, administration, social services and recreation, and also for
manufacturing. In recent years, the city has succeeded in attracting some medium and large
industrial firms with considerable multiplier effects on the local economy. The role of the town is
mainly associated with following situation is undertaken in the area.
As a center of Commerce:
A reasonable strong commercial activity. This is associated with:
Relatively large population size of the city
Its importance as an important manufacturing, storage and redistribution center in the north-western
parts of the country as well as the availability of relatively diversified banking services.
As a center of Social Services, Administration and Recreation
It can serve as an important center for social service provision for its residents as well as for the
adjoining Wored as.

3.6.Potentials and Strength of the City Administration

Located near two major sources of water in the country (lake Tana and Abay river)
Located close to major historical sites like the monasteries (islands in lake Tana)
Wild life reserves of the Semien Mountains
The old historical cities of Gondar, Lalibela and Axum with good road and air connections which
make tourism potentially a great opportunity
Government committeemen to assist informal and micro-enterprise participants at large are also
another prospect.
The regional revised proclamation issued to provide for the establishment and organization of urban
centers of the Amhara National Region and definition of their powers and duties (No 91/2003) is
another positive point
The direct involvement of residents in service provision is another opportunity that will ease the
financial pressure on the municipality to provide services.
26
The introduction of revised tax and charge rates provides another opportunity to improve the
financial constraints of the city administration though it requires currently updating.
The presence of different kinds of community organizations and NGO’s stipulated a considerable
potential to work in partnership on mitigating vulnerability and food security in Bahir Dar.

3.7. Site Selection

The main concept of this thesis is

redesigning a slum area in urban
development program without
affecting society needs.

For the thesis project I select a site

found in the west side of bahir dar
city the site bounded by two main
roads goes to peda campus poly
campus

Figure 7 map of Ethiopia (source site internet )

The total area of the site is 30,705 m2

and its incorporate school, store,
commercials and residential

This site selected because of the

identity and characteristic of the site
and the site need an redesign based on
basic need of the people.

Figure 8 map of bahir dar city (source

27
Google earth )

3.8. Characteristic of the Site

Slums are characterized by dilapidated housing conditions, inadequate provision of infrastructure,
services and public facilities, community cohesion, underutilization of scarce prime urban land,
unplanned settlement and insecure tenure.

• Lack of affordable housing

• Income inequality and Housing
problems
• Shortage of public services
• Lack of infrastructures, Sanitation
and other problems
• Poverty and Unemployment
• Social, safety and security problems

28
 Figure 9 kebele 02 selected sites for redeveloping slum area (source bahir dar city municipal)

3.9. Land Uses

The existing site incorporate different land uses like residential (mixed and pure), social service
(SOS school), commercials (garage and
cafeteria), vegetation and store
Road to
A. Blocks poly
campus
In the study there are 3 different block and
each have irregular shapes two of the block
define with local street and secondary
street one of the block define by the main
street goes to peda to poly road and with
the secondary road

B. Plots
Most of the plot use for a residential
specially plot that found back from the
main street. in front of the street the plot
used for a commercial purpose

The plot occupied with different activities

like residential, commercials (garage,
Secondary road
barbershop and store), social service (SOS
kg school) and green area used for
cultivating vegetation

Figure 10 land use plan (source site survey)

C. Building

 Arrangement

Buildings found in the block have a clustered arrangement and LEGENDS

they are attached to each other also share open space as common
Residential
space
Commercial
 Compound structure
Service
There are different compound arrangements in the site those are: store
a u- shape arrangement, liner arrangement

 Façade

29
 Most of the house constructed with using a traditional method and material like wood (satara) and
earth (chika)

3.10. Road
A. Hierarchy

The streets that define the area have different hierarchy

based on their street size, transportation service and the
crowd. The main street has more transportation rate and it
has also pedestrian, so it has larger street size.
Road to gebeya
B. Size:

The main street has 25m width and it is a two way access
with 2m pedestrians on both of sides which make it larger
LEGENDS
street than all the three secondary streets. The secondary
Primary road 25m
street measures each have 7m width. The local road used
Coble stone street 7m
for accessing the plot measures 2- 5 m
Local street 2-5m

C. Configuration:
The main street and the secondary street has a linear configuration but the local street have irregular
configurations because they have extra free space on each sides of the streets for different purposes,
defined by the wall of the plot and vary in their size

D. Materials

The secondary Streets are constructed from

 cobble stone
The local road constructed with
 gravel, Sand and earth
The main is constructed in a standard street construction system since its branch of the main street.
And the materials are
 crushed stone, gravel, sand and range

30
Mainly the streets serve transportation service but the society sometimes use them for different
purposes like ceremonies, children’s play ground and other activities.

CHAPTER 4

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 REAL PROBLEM OF SLUM AREA

4.1.1. Household Characteristics

In this topic discussed about the household characteristics of the study area like origin and length of
stay, education level household size and number of room per house hold
Most of the hous
e have a high no of member live in a small area in average the house member in one house is 6
people

4.1.2. Origin and Length of the Stay

It was revealed that most of the respondents interviewed in the communities were migrants from
outside of bahir dar city. This means that the migrants far exceed the indigenes in the slum
communities. This could be attributed to the rapid nature with which the migrant population
increases, and the fact that many of the new
arrivals are hosted in the slum communities
by their relatives and friends who already
have accommodation in these communities.
In the site most of the communities live for
more than 15 years this is indicate to the fact
that they have entrenched their stay in the
communities and many of them have no
plans to relocate to anywhere in the future.
This situation accounts in part for the
difficulty the city planners face in controlling
slums. The average length of stay in the

31
 various communities by the respondents is about more than 15 years.

LEGENDS
private
kebele

Figure 11 ownership map(source site survey)

4.1.3. Education Level

Based on the information gathered from the interview the large number of the respondent end there
study in 9-10 level of class some of them never attend school and small number of the respondent
educated in high level of education

4.1.4. Housing Condition and Material

In this topic the main discussion on the

condition of the house found in the
slum area its include the condition and
material of wall, foundation, floor and
roof of the house.

LEGENDS
Good
fair
bad

Figure 12 housing condition (source site survey)

A. Wall and foundation

32
 In the study area the wall construction vary based on the income of the house hold but most of the
house constructed from traditional construction material called mud (chika) and some of the house
plastered with paint. The walls are in worst condition to live in.
In the site there is no properly constructed foundation found. The wall supported by stone and they
are not well structured and construct.

B. Roof
Based on the site survey the housing condition weak not only in the wall and foundation also weak
on the roof construction In this area there are different types of roofing material to cover the house
like corrugated iron sheet, plastic and wood cover called (satara). All the material supported by
stone.

Figure 13 roof and wall construction material (source site survey)

C. Floor

Most of the house floor constructed with

plastering earth and muck and covered by
a plastic floor carpet and some of the
house use cement screed and wood tile

Figure 14 Floor finish used in the site (source site survey)

33
D. Access road

The study revealed that the secondary road in the slum communities are good, which means that the
road constructed using a coble stone and it is broad enough for both vehicular and pedestrian use.
However, the local road is in a bad condition the road vary in their size and it not allowed for a
vehicle access in term of material used an earth (soil) some of the area appeared by the foot stapes
of the people

4.1.5. Environmental Condition

In the site surveying it observable that the
environment of the study area is in a dangers
condition there are main problem based on a drainage
system, waste disposal system and orientation of the
house that make a negative space

Figure 15 the road and open space used as waste disposal (source site survey)

4.1.6. Kitchen
Based on the site survey Most of the kitchen that is found in
the study area is not equipped and poor in quality. The
owner of the house use individual kitchen some time use the
outdoor space as a kitchen area

Figure 16 use for kitchen (source site survey)

34
4.1.7. Toilet
Most of the respondent in the area use a private toilet but most of the toilet are not consider the health
problem and they are not safe and clean the other house in the area uses common toilet mainly in the
rented house the common toilet also have a similar problem with private toilet

4.1.8. Pollution
Pollution is the introduction of a contaminant in to the environment. It is created mostly by human
actions; mainly affect the street and the green area found around the site.

4.1.9. Open Space

There is a green are in the site but the site are not
design well and keep safe for the people to use for
different function

Figure 17 Open space found in the site (source site survey)

The open space found in the site created by the irregular arrangement of the house some of the open
space use for different activities but other space cannot access and use for a waste disposal

Most of the house doesn’t have compound to

define the private and public outdoor space they
use the street as an open space some of the
houses have a common compound and have a
common space inside a compound

In the open space the people who live in the site

used it for a cultivating vegetable like cabbage
and it use as an income generate

Figure 18 existing green space in the site (source site survey)

35
4.1.10. Social interaction

In the site most of the people have a good social

relationship because of the narrowness of the
house, they live in one compound and of course it
is one of our culture

Figure 19 Social gathering (source site survey)

4.2. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.2. 1.Conclusion
This research paper has been fully dedicated to evaluate the current slum communities in bahir dar
city kebele 2 slums as a case study and finally planning a possible strategy and design of rising
housing development in Ethiopia which is respondent to interaction and social value.

Poverty is the main reasons for the growth of slums and the slum dwellers to live in slums. The
finding showed that the main problems of the area are housing, means of income, shortage of public
service and other related problem.

The houses are very old, congested and people are living in very unfavorable condition. Usually
they are vulnerable to many challenges like disease, and the like. There is a critical sanitation
problem in the area, some people don’t have proper place for cooking, toilet etc.

Another main challenge in this area is low income .Due to lack of proper income; they cannot
change their situation of the house and cannot eat properly or keep themselves from disease.

Hence, the general physical aspect of the study area is characterized by inaccessibility and limited
social infrastructures and services. On the other hand the site is poor of amenities and
infrastructures like community centre and open spaces, social infrastructures and other facilities
which bear a significant role in enhancing social interactions.

36
 all dweller use a traditional type of cooking and small storage space for food, spice and material and
people cook and prepare spices in any available space
 any available space can be used for different purpose
 there is a visual, social, emotional, economical and cultural interaction among the neighbors
 using common facilities, infrastructure and open space
 no proper play ground and recreational area
 most of the house have no zoning or defined space for different activities’ like living, sleeping and
kitchen space
 poor lighting, ventilation shortage of space and space arrangement

 Lack of predesigned town, neighborhoods, streets, housing and lack of distribution resources
 As we now in slum area mostly the people used the street for their indoor activity so it is too
difficult to maintain everything always

4.2. 2.Recommendations
After collecting primary and secondary data according to the research scope, I have managed to sort
out the critical issues in existing slums of kebele 2 and the city in general and then used the
important elements and characters as a base to formulate my visions and strategies.

 improve the main streets, providing access to clean water, improved sanitation and waste
management supporting income generation activities and affordable housing by supporting income
generation activities
 Keep the social value norms and upgrade the living situation of the site like housing, street and
incorporating new services and recreational area
 Transforming the site in to sustainable urban fabric with the use of appropriate building material.
 Reducing the area coverage slum places in the city by providing better access to live, work,
shopping, cultural and modern opportunities.
 increase the range of green areas and open space
 Create an environmental friendly urban space comfortable for neighborhood development and
tourism.
 Improve the physical and social infrastructures of the targeted area, for creating safe community.
 Achieve an urban space that becomes a function of convenience, comfort, efficiency, play and
pleasure.

37
 Minimize waste and pollutants in the area.
 Creating job opportunities, designed towns or neighborhoods, distributing resources and services
equally to the society
 By giving them open areas or work areas for their activity and by teaching the societies how to
protect their environment

38
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