SAMARA UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIROMENTAL STUDIES
CHALLENGES OF INFORMAL SETTLEMEN AT GONDAR TOWN
NORTH OF CENTERAL GONEDAR ZONE AMAHARA REGION STATE

Prepared BY: SELAMAWIT

STUDENT ID: SU120

ADVISOR: ANUWAR EBRAHIM

February10/2015 E.C

Samara, Ethiopia
Table of Contents
Abstract......................................................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................iv
ACRONYMS..................................................................................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................................vi
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of the Study...................................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement of the Problem................................................................................................................2
1.3. Objectives of the Study.....................................................................................................................2
1.3.1. General Objectives.....................................................................................................................2
1.4. Research Questions..........................................................................................................................3
1.5. Significant of the Study.....................................................................................................................3
1.6. Scope /Delimitation of the Study......................................................................................................3
1.7. Limitation of the Study.....................................................................................................................3
1.8. Organization of the Paper.................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................................5
2. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................................5
2.1. Concept of Definition Informal Settlement.......................................................................................5
2.2. Squatter Settlements........................................................................................................................5
2.3 Role of Informal Settlements.............................................................................................................7
2.4 How it has been emerged..................................................................................................................7
2.5 Causes and Consequences.................................................................................................................8
2.6 Causes of Informal Settlement in the World......................................................................................8
2.7 Causes of Informal Settlement in Ethiopia.........................................................................................8
2.8 Consequences of informal settlement in the world...........................................................................9
2.9. Consequences of Informal Settlement in Ethiopia............................................................................9
2.10. Significant Strategies to Solve Informal Settlement........................................................................9
CHAPTER THREE........................................................................................................................................11
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................11
3.1 Research Design...............................................................................................................................11

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 3.1.2. Sample Techniques..................................................................................................................11
3.1.3. Sample Size..............................................................................................................................11
3.1.4. Data Source.............................................................................................................................12
3.1.5. Methods of Data Analysis........................................................................................................12
3.1.6 Ethical Consideration in Field Work..........................................................................................12
4. Financial and Time Budget of the Study................................................................................................13
Table 4.1 Financial Budget.....................................................................................................................13
4.2 Time Budget.....................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................15
APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................................17

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 Abstract

Most cities in developing countries are expanding horizontally and the population is moving to
unplanned settlement on the peripheries at the expenses of agricultural lands and area of natural
beauty. Land delivery system is without normal procedures, no legal frame work, bureaucratic,
not transparent and inclusive, dishonest and irresponsible to land demanders affects the efficient
use of the urban land and deliver system which in turn leads to illegal procedures, land
speculations, market distribution, illegal or Informal settlement, poor infrastructure and services
provision, inadequate collection of revenue that hinders economic development of the town. The
major objective of the study is to examine informal settlement and its impact on urban amenities
of Gondar town.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am grateful to many people and institution that helped me make this research possible.
Unfortunately, as it is difficult to mention all of them, only the most important ones are
acknowledged her. First of all, I would like to express my great God respect and appreciate my
advisor Den eke Dana. For his constructive comments, suggestion advice and encouragement
from the beginning to end, it is also my pleasure to acknowledged the share of Samara
University, department of geography and environmental studies, for this assistance in my
education life .l am also thank full to Gondar municipal office where l received all kinds of
support.

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 ACRONYMS

CSA: Central statistics agency

GIS: Geographic information system

WB: World Bank

WTWAO: Gondar Town World Agricultural Organization

v
 LIST OF TABLES

4.1 Financial Budget

4.2 Time Budget

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The rapid expansion of cities throughout the world was been accompanied by equally rapid
growth of informal settlements. As people continue to migrate a way from rural area in to cities
increase numbers of people living in urban areas. Currently, there are 200,000 of this
communities across the world, according to the united nation’s spatial reporter on adequate
housing most of them in and around cities, and that number is growing spatially. While 90% of
the world informal settlements are in developing nations such as India and Brazil they are a
worldwide phenomenon and are in European capital and largest American cities (IBT Media
Inc.2016).

A marked phenomenon of rapid urbanization in Africa has been the proliferation and
uncontrolled spread of so-called “spontaneous” or “inform all settlements “built by immigrants to
meet their shelter’s needs. Known as “informal” because they are built outside legal planning
formal work, informal settlements are generally characterized by high population densities,
limited or non- existed urban services, low quality housing stock. As they are often built on
marginal or environmentally sensitive lands, such as wet lands or steep hill sides ,informal
settlements can have deleterious environmental impacts , such as increased solid waste (Bart
one, and Bernstein etc.) (1994).

Informal settlements or slum conditions are defined by the UN as lacking as least one of the
basic condition of descent housing, adequate sanitation improved water supply, durable housing
or adequate living space. This expansion is occurring quickest in the world’s poorest region such
as southern Asia and sub Saharan in Africa (Jakins,et Al 2007).

Informal land settlements is usually referred to residential areas where a group of housing units
have been constituted or land to which the occupants have no legal clamor which they occupy
illegally. They are characterized mostly be the low quality house and the lack of, or in adequacy
infrastructure and social services (Daniel, 2011).

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Oromia region is the first most populated area of the country with an estimated population totally
around 39 million. This region has municipality to managed address the challenges of rapid of
urbanization. This region shows great determination in its efforts to tackle difficult issues such as
housing shortage, stag Nan ion, lack of electricity, and illegal settlements (CSA2010).

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Ethiopian is one of the least urbanization country in the world. Even by Africa standardized,
level of urbanization is low. According to the population Reference Bureau's world population
Data sheet (2002).While the average level of urbanization for Africa in general was 33% in
2002, Ethiopian was only 15% of population living urban area. Despite of the low level of
urbanization and the fact that the country is mainly rural, there is a fast rate of urban growth,
which is currently estimated at 5.6% per year (MUDH, 2015).

In many town most of time informal settlement are found in the peripheral area, where they are
characterized by their irregular shape and large plate of size. As result they have significant
contribution to the unplanned and rapid horizontal expansion and spontaneous growth, Gondar
town is now confronted with different types of problem one is emergence and development of
informal settlement illegal bounding and illegal land use are very common practices in the town.
For this study focus on the challenges of informal settlement in Gondar town as study area.

1.3. Objectives of the Study

1.3.1. General Objectives

The general objective of this study is to assess the main challenges of informal settlement at
Gondar town.

The aim of this study is to achieve the following specific objectives: To

1. Explore the condition of informal settlement in Gondar town.

2. Identify the main Couse of informal settlement in Gondar town.

3. Explain consequence of informal settlement at Gondar town.

4. Suggest possible solution for informal settlement in problem at study area.

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1.4. Research Questions

The research was the following questions

1. What does the existing conditions of informal settlement in Gondar town?

2. What are the main causes of informal settlement in the Gondar town?

3. What are the consequences of informal settlement at Gondar town in 01 Keeble?

4. What are the possible solutions for informal settlement 01 Keeble at Gondar town?

1.5. Significant of the Study

Every research has its own significant in providing valuable information or immediate solution
to the particular problem. Likewise this study will provide a clue about the main challenges of
informal settlement in Gondar town.

This study was provoke policy maker practitioners and administrators of Gondar town to look for
appropriate mechanisms to satisfy the maximum need of the urban society and generate new idea
for further knowledge on practical institution of the area.

1.6. Scope /Delimitation of the Study

For instance this study was force to limit both the area and concept of study in order to manage
the study in delimit manner at central Gondar town north Gondar zone Amhara region.

This study was focus on to existing condition, causes and to provide consequences of informal
settlement as well possible suggestions for the problems.

1.7. Limitation of the Study.

This topic of informal settlement is extensive and includes multiple interesting areas of the study.
This study was focused only on the challenges of informal settlement. The study was conducted
only 01 Keeble. It was not included other Keeble in central Gondar town hence it is difficult to

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study all Keeble because of different constraints., such as lack of organization of data, reference
materials, lack of sufficient information, budget and time.

1.8. Organization of the Paper

This study organized into six chapter .The first chapter deals with back ground of the study,
statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research question, significant of the study,
limitations of the study and the second chapter consists of theoretical and empirical literature
review, while the third chapter focuses on research methodology, The fourth chapter deals about
description of the study area and chapter five deals about data analysis and interpretation, the
chapter six consists about conclusion and recommendation.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Concept of Definition Informal Settlement

A clear definition of informal settlement hardly available, in the world many synonymous word
have been used in literature to refer informal settlement. This include irregular, unplanned
marginal settlement (lamb, 2007).Some literatures have used to term slum sand informal
settlement interchangeably. While clear definition for informal settlement is still elusive, some
organizational have given description of informal settlement and slum (UNHSP, 2003).

Informal settlements are deal settlement computing humanities housed in self-constructed shorter
sunder condition of informal or traditional land tenner. They are common future in developing
country and are typical the product of urgent need for shelter by urban poor .As such they are
characterized by a deals proliferation of small makes shift shelter built from diverse materials
degradation of local ecosystem and severe social problems (UN HABITAT,2011).

Informal settlements are defined as when area are found on public, private or customary land
accessed by invention or developed against planning, building and ownership regulation (Abbat,
2001).They lack basic social services and infrastructure facilities. Informal settlement are
defined as Bake (1991) classifies informal settlement as those settlements; Occur due to
unauthorized invention and development public and private land, are through subdivision that are
not registered officially or sub division that do not conform your planning regulations, are within
areas covered by customary tenure which have been made part of the city through cities
expansions, are built without permits from the local authorities. Informal settlements are
therefore unauthorized residential areas.

2.2. Squatter Settlements

A squatter settlement can be defined as a residential area which has developed without legal
claims to the land and /or permission from the concerned authorities to build; as a result of their

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illegal or semi -legal status, infrastructure and services are usually inadequate. There are
essential three defining characteristics that help us to understand squatter settlement: the
physical, the social and the legal with the reasons behind them being interrelate.

A. Physical Characteristics

A squatter settlement, due to its inherent "non-legal "status, has services and infrastructure below
the "adequate "or minimum levels. Such services are network and social infrastructure, like water
supply, sanitation, electricity, roads and drainage; schools, health centers, market places etc.
Water supply, for example, to households may be absent, or a few public or community stand
pipes may have been provided, using either the city networks or a hand pump itself. Informal
networks for the supply of water may also be in place. Similar arrangements may be made for
electricity, drainage, toilet facilities etc. With little dependence on public authorities or formal
channels (Hari, 2005)

B. Social Characteristics

Squatter settlement households belong to the lower income group, either working as wage labor
or in various informal sector enterprises. On an average, most earn wages at or near the
minimum wage level. But household income levels can also be high due to may income earners
and part -time jobs. Squatters are predominantly emigrants, either rural -urban or urban -urban.
But many are also second or thirty generation squatters (Hari, 2015).

C. Legal Characteristics

The key characteristic that delineates a squatter settlement is its lack of ownership of the land
parcel on which they have built their house. These could be vacant government or public land, or
marginal land parcels like railway setbacks or "undesirable "marshy land. Thus when the is not
under "productive "use of the owner, it is appropriated by a squatter for building a house. It has
to notes there that in many parts of Asia, a land Owner may "rent "out this land for a nominal fee
to a family or families, with an informal or quasi -legal arrangement, which is not however valid
under law (Hari, 2015).

In Ethiopian context these types of settlements are known as "Chereka Bet ".the term chereka bet
in its literal Translation means ''house of the moon ''implying the illegal construction of houses
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overnight using moon light, thus, they are defined as a settlement build on land occupied or used
without the consent of the city council and without having any construction permit grantee by the
city council (Daniel, 2006). Informality is generally considered to be the characteristics of low -
income settlement both caused by poor and beneficiaries: Illegal appropriation of land, Illegal
subdivision and Built with inappropriate materials or un serviced land etc.

2.3 Role of Informal Settlements

In any case, the informal settlements have advantages and obvious disadvantages too as under:
As long as urban areas provide means of living for the migrants, large cities will be subjected to
the housing problems and as a result to the problem of informality. There is no universal solution
that can solve all the problems of informal housing system. Change in attitude towards squatting,
informal settlements should be the only solution for virus governmental and public authorities.

Advantages: no need of subsidy, self-financing system, affordable to buy or to rent, and good
operational and maintenance system.

Disadvantages: loss of agricultural land, poor block arrangement, and uneconomical plots for
building, lack of public space, and poor water supply and swage is a constant threat to health.
(Source: Daniel, 2006).

2.4 How it has been emerged

Informal settlement has been emerging due to the number of social, economic and political
factors. Some of the major important factors, from international perspective are listed below.
Socio economic factors: housing shortage, increasing urban poverty, high rate of rural urban
migration (rural poverty). High rate of unemployment, high/rising cost of living, economic
recession etc. Institutional factors: absence of accountability and transparency, corruption,
absence of capacity (human and technical), poor situational set-up and absence of coordination,
poor enforcement, unclear regulation and long procedures misuse of public lands etc. Political
factors: lack of political commitment, less emphasize to urban issues, civil war, in appropriate
policy, impact of colonization (segregation) etc. (source: world Bank 2000, Habitat, 2001).

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2.5 Causes and Consequences

Literature shows different causes for the creation of informal settlement although the
consequences are more or less similar. It is true that informal settlements occur when the current
land administration and planning system fails to address the needs of the whole community.
When the system fails to address social housing needs, the people use their own paths in setting
on somebody Easley land. Such settlements are characterized unplanned development
(Markakis …1, 2006).

2.6 Causes of Informal Settlement in the World

Population Growth

A century ago, only 4% of the world population was urban. Today cities are home to half of its
habitats. The rapid growth of urban population in developing countries over the past several
decades can be attributed both to natural increases and migration (Ulack, 1998).

The Failure of Government

According to un-habitat report on global settlement, slums and urban poverty are not just
manifestation of a population growth and demographic change, or even of the high impersonal
force of globalization. Informal settlement must be seen as the result of failure of housing
political laws and delivery system, as well as national and urban policies (UN-Habitat,2011).

Institutional and Legal Failure

The urban poor trapped in informal and illegal world in slums that are not reflected on map
where waste is not collected, where tax are not paid and public services provided. As illegal or
(proper) rights; on security some respects expensive parallel market (UN-Habitat, 2011).

2.7 Causes of Informal Settlement in Ethiopia

Land Grabbing

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The authorities in the cities administration associated the formation of informal settlements with
the land grabbing activities of urban speculators. Urban speculators, who wish to sale a land
illegally, garb or purchase land on the skirt of city, which at this moment is another reason for
squatting (Markakis, 2006).

Urban Poverty

The incomes of informal settlements are mostly too low for formally regulated markets to
provide them with any kind of permanent housing. One of the inhabiting factors is that the poor
have a low propensity to save and hence a low propensity to borrow many from lending
institution. This situation has also been compounded by the increases in inflection level. Hence
they have created to solve their own by problems by building their own dwelling, or by building
informal rental accommodation for each other (Markakis, 2006).

2.8 Consequences of informal settlement in the world

The consequences of informal settlements in many countries are similar. The first result of
informal settlement is associated with health problems. Literatures show that living in this
settlement often possess significant health risk. Sanitation, food storage facilities and drinking
water quality are often poor, with the result that in habitats may acts as breeding grounds for
insects vectors (Per era, 1994).

2.9. Consequences of Informal Settlement in Ethiopia

The expansion of poorly controlled settlement developments has resulted in many environmental
and health related problems. Uncontrolled settlement is causing physical disorder, Uneconomical
land utilization, and pollution, and land excessive encroachment of settlement in to good
agricultural land, environmental degradation and population waste, besides, informal settlements
cause huge economic and social cost (Ali and Suleiman, 2006).

2.10. Significant Strategies to Solve Informal Settlement

In many urban center of the world local administers and government try to formulate or design
different programs to solve informal settlement condition, such as development of vertical

9
housing, preventing new squatter growth, relocating resident to the better size, rent control, for
bidding rental to owner conversions (Litman,etail:2012).

In developing countries varies recommended for different alternative strategies to tackle the
problem of informal settlements like, enabling approach to shelter provision, enabling market to
work improving access to housing inputs and social housing production.

Ethiopia approves urban development policies and legal frame work in different times. For
instance, urban development policy urban planning proclamation, current law income housing
approaches and access to housing finance (UN-Habitat, 2011).

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 CHAPTER THREE
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

In order to undertake this study, the research was both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
The research methods employed for this study area cross section mixed research method
approach.

3.1.2. Sample Techniques

The research is used probability sampling techniques, for this Research was used simple random
sampling techniques to determinants the sample size for study area of population.

3.1.3. Sample Size

Total population central Gondar town is 4729.From this 2229 were female and 2500 were male
sexes. The total number of households of study area is 350.The Sample size is determined
proportionally and 78 households was selected as sample size from study area.

To determinants sample size using of

n=N/1+N(e )

Where n= sample size

N =Total population sample size

e =level of prion or error 10%

n = N/1+N(e)2

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 n = 350/1+350(0.1)2

n = 78

3.1.4. Data Source

As source of data collection are using both primary and secondary data source collection was
applied in order to come up with reliable information and funding.

Primary Data Source

Primary data was collected from the household’s environment and elder people and or municipal
office by using questionnaire and interview mothers

Secondary Data Source

Secondary data source was collected from difference literature review, such as book, report,
Internet senior thesis, written do comment as well from published and unpublished document
from pertinent institution.

3.1.5. Methods of Data Analysis

In order to analyze the collected data through gathering tools, the research was use both
qualitative (interview, questions, personal observation) and quantitative methods of data
analysis. The close-ended questions was analysis by quantitative methods of data analysis as
arranged with number and interpreted by using percentage

3.1.6 Ethical Consideration in Field Work

In study Ethical issue were considered of the study. for example information was conducted from
the volunteer and asking politer explanation of objective and significance of study were given to
the participation the study and different concerned bodies in order to set more accurate
information additionally the cultural and tradition of study population where respective.

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4. Financial and Time Budget of the Study

No Cost Item Quantity Total cost in Percentage

Birr

1 Paper, Pen, Flash disk and for binding Packs 19.8

research paper 250

2 Mobile cared and other expenses 35.7

450

3 Typing and printing the report 3 copies 21.8

275

4 Typing and printing questionnaire 150 12

150

5 Contingency (5%) 10.7

135

1,260
6 Total expenditure 100

Table 4.1 Financial Budget

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No Activities Time frame

1 Title selection December

2 Literature review December

3 Propodea’t December

4 Dave’t of tools December

5 Data collecting December

6 Data analysis January

7 First draft submission January

8 Final Paper submission January

4.2 Time Budget

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REFERENCES

Baharat. the city center; A shifting concept. In the history of Addis Ababa in Baharat
Zewde(2008)society state and history; settlement essays Addis Ababa university press.

Ahiru. The city center, a shifting concept. In the history of Addis Ababa bahiru zewde (2006)
society state and history; settlement in essays Addis Ababa University press.

Ali. et,(2006), The cause and consequences of Informal settlement in Zanzibar, shaping the
change XXll FIG congress Munich, German, October 8_13,2006.

Abbot,(2001) informal settlement are defined as residential area of the urban poor more often in
the cities of the developing world.

Abet, (2011), informal settlement on areas of urban poor offer in the cities of developing world..

Breonna C.J. Bernstein j. leitmann and j. Eipen,(1994).toward environmental strategies for

cities: policy considerations for urban environmental management in developing
countries WASHINGTON, dc. The World Bank. ASC, (2007), population and housing
census center statistical authority Addis Ababa

Daniel Hirbo. (2006).information settlement in Addis Ababa, department of architecture and

urban planning post graduate and urban program Addis Ababa University.

Davis M, (2006), Planet of Slum; verso New York

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Genet,(2011), The expansion of informal settlement

Hari,(2015), defining squatter settlement.

IBT Media,Inc(,2016) .India and Brazil world wide phenomenon and are in European capital and
largest American cities.

Lamba.j (2005). Tenure Management System Informative Settlement; the case of Nairobi
Masters Theses .ICT nether land

Mar Kakos’s (2006), Ethiopia, Anatomy of Traditional Policy, Shame Book, Addis Ababa.

Perera F.(1994), accommodating dating informal sector enterprises in the Urban built
environmental studies in Urban informal sector, human settlements development
monograph No. 36. Bangkok, Thailand, Asian institute of technology.

SB,(2002), smart growth and urban development pattern.a.comparative study, international

regional science cities.

Thomas,(2003), a general indicative approach for qualitative data quack land, Newzer land.

WB,(2002), highly congested urban areas characterized by sustain standard, housing that is
unsanitary building and social disorganization.

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APPENDIX

Part1.personal Background Information

1. Sex: Male  Female 

2. Age: A. 18 -24 B.25-30 C. 31-36 D. 37-42 E. 42 and above

3. Level education: A. illiterate  B. 1-8 grade C. 9-12  D. 10(12+)  D.

Degree and above 

4. Occupation: A. government employed  B. Merchant employed  C. Farmer

employed 

5. Marital status: A. Single  B. Married  C Divorce  D. Widows 

Part two General Information about Direct Related to the Study

6. What does the expansion of the existing informal settlement look at like central Gondar
town? A. very high  B. High  C. Medium  D. Low  E. very low 

7. If your answer question number 7 is very high what is your reason for this?

A. Rural to urban migration  B. No urban policy  C. Rapid population growth 

D. Buying and illegal land  E. Low controlling 

Authority figure increasing demand for housing availability of resource 

F. Investment by private and public sector all are reasons 

8. From the following sentences which one is the consequence of informal settlement in 01
kebele?

A. Environmental degradation  B. Economic distraction  C. Conflict 

D. Peasant displacement  E. Change of likelihood  F. Poor town quality 

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 9. Do you facing house destruction or destroyed due to informal settlement?

A. Yes  B. No 

10. If your answer for item 9 yes, what is your reason for this?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

11. What does the solution for the expansion of informal settlement?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

12. Does the government give due attention to control informal settlement?

A. Yes  B. No 

13. If your responses to the above question is yes, what kind of strategies the government
using? __________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

14. How will be the responsible body in order to minimize informal settlements in the
town and how?

____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATIONᴉᴉ

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