COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITY

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF URBAN EXPANSION: THE CASE OF AMBO

TOWN IN FARISI KEBELE

A RESEARCH PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AS

PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF BACHELOR OF ART (BA)
DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY

BY: -MALEDE TEGENEW

ADVISOR: MR TESFEYE

AMBO, ETHIOPIA

FEBRUARY, 2024
 Table of content
Content page
CHAPTER ONE.....................................................................................................................................
1. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................4
1.1. Background of the Study..............................................................................................................4
1.2.Statement of the Problem..............................................................................................................6
1.2. Objective of the Study..................................................................................................................6
1.3.1. General objective...............................................................................................................6
1.3.2. Specific objectives.............................................................................................................7
1.3. Research Question........................................................................................................................7
1.4. Significance of the Study..............................................................................................................7
1.5. Scope of the Study........................................................................................................................8
1.6. Limitation of the Study.................................................................................................................8
1.7. Operational Definition..................................................................................................................8
CHAPTER TWO......................................................................................................................................9
2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURES...........................................................................................9
2.1. Concepts of Urbanization.............................................................................................................9
2.2.CAUSES OF URBANIZATION..................................................................................................9
2.3. consequences of urbanization.....................................................................................................10
2.4. Expansion of Urbanization.........................................................................................................10
2.5. Urban Expansion in the World...................................................................................................11
2.6. Impacts of Urbanization in Africa..............................................................................................11
2. 7. Impacts of Urbanization in Ethiopia..........................................................................................12
2.8. Social Impacts of Urbanization..................................................................................................13
2.8.1. Positive impacts...............................................................................................................13
2.8.2. Negative social impacts...................................................................................................14
2.9. Economic Impacts of Urbanization............................................................................................16
2.9.1. Positive social impacts.....................................................................................................16
2.9.2. Negative social impacts..................................................................................................17
2.10.Theoretical Framework..............................................................................................................21
2.10.1. Ferdinand Tone’s...........................................................................................................21
2.10.2. Karl Marx......................................................................................................................22
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 2.11. Conceptual framework of the study..........................................................................................23
Negative Social impacts............................................................................................................23
Positive Social impacts..............................................................................................................23
CHAPTER THREE................................................................................................................................24
3. METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................................................24
3.1. Description of Study Area..........................................................................................................24
3.2. Target population........................................................................................................................24
3.3. Research Design.........................................................................................................................24
3.4. Sample Size Determination and Sampling techniques...............................................................24
3.5. Source of Data............................................................................................................................25
3.5.2. Primary sours of data.......................................................................................................25
3.5.3. Secondary sours of data...................................................................................................25
3.6. Method of Data Collection Tools...............................................................................................25
3.7. Method of Data Analysis............................................................................................................26
3.8. Ethical Consideration.................................................................................................................26
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................28

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CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

urbanization is defined in a processes by which rural and areas are transformed in to town areas
and which included the growth of city population and natural increases of population (Wough,
1990). Urbanization is defined as an increasing share of a nations of population living in urban
areas and those a declining share living in rural areas.

Urban area refers to town, cities and suburbs. Urban area includes the city itself and surrounding
areas. In recent years, cities all over the world have experienced rapid growth because of the
rapid increase in world population and the irreversible flow of people from rural to urban areas.
The urban population of the world has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in
2018. Today, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban regions; this ratio is expected to
increase to 68% by 2050 (World Population Data Sheet, 2018). Projections demonstrate that
urbanization, the gradual shift in residence of the human population from rural to urban areas,
combined with the overall growth of the world’s population could add another 2.5 billion
individuals to urban zones by 2050, with nearly 90% of this expansion occurring in Asia and
Africa, according to a new United Nations (2018). In the developed nations of Europe and North
America, urbanization has been an outcome of industrialization and financial improvement. By
contrast, in the developing nations of Latin America, Africa and Asia it has occurred due to the
consequence of demographic phenomenon (William, 1983; Achamyeleh G., 2014). The rate of
urbanization in Ethiopia is one of the quickest in Africa. The normal yearly rate of development
from 1960-1991 was 4.8 percent and this figure developed to 5.8 percent per-annum from 1991-
2000. Likewise, the yearly development rate from 2000-2010 was 5.5 percent and abatements to
4.73 in 2017. This rate of development puts Ethiopia among the 23 quickly urbanizing nations of
the world. According to Redman and Jones, 2004 and Cohen, 2006, as cited by Dejene (2011)
and Henok (2014), the principal reasons for raising the level of urbanization and city growth are
population growth, rural-urban migration, and geographical expansion of urban areas through
annexation and transformation and re-classification of rural village into small urban settlements.
Rapid pass of urbanization is passing major challenge in front of cities in developing countries.

4
 One of the significant difficulties is urban extension which is an inescapable result of
urbanization process (Firew, 2010; Hussien, 2013; Debela et al., 2016).

Many of Ethiopian cities and/ or towns have experienced rapid horizontal expansion; but which
was not properly controlled by appropriate planning intervention, weak implementation
capacity,weak institutional capacity as well as lack of good governance in cities or towns.

As such uncontrolled rapid horizontal expansion of cities/towns towards the agricultural

communities resulted in additional social, economic, environmental and political problems
(Eyasu, 2007; Demel, 2011; Debela et al., 2016;).

Ambo town is among a few privileged towns of its time to have its own municipal administration
since 1931, and a master plan since 1984. Over the past few years the population of Ambo town
has been growing rapidly and in 1997 Ambo had a total population of 54,560. Five years later, in
2001, it rose to 67,514 inhabitants. According to the municipality of the Town, the current total
population of the town is about 83, 756 and expected to reach more than 115,429 by 2019
including the population the expansion site (Taso & Gadissa; 2023). This implies that the town is
being expanded to the surrounding area rapidly. Hence this study will analyze the socio-
economic impacts of the expansion of urbanization on households of Faris kebele in Ambo town.

1.2.Statement of the Problem

Due to various factors a substantial amount of people has been leaving their natal places so as to
settle in the town. This influx of people critically influenced the urban areas to extend its location
towards to the surrounding areas, especially in the developing countries. In order to deal with
this condition, the government and NGO’s have designed different policies and strategies.
However, still the flow of people as well as the expansion of urban areas steadily increasing from
time to time. As result of this, the surrounding communities of urban areas have experienced
different socio-cultural, political and economic impacts. But, a less emphasis has been given to
identify those impacts of urbanization.

So far, some studies have been undertaken to impacts of urbanization in Ethiopia. For instance,
Abera and Teshome (2006) in their studies indicated causes of urbanization in case of Hawassa
and Jimma. And also, Birhan (2008) studies causes and effects of urbanization and rapid urban
development in case of woldiya town. But, they were failed to consider impacts of urbanization.
Therefore, the researcher would inspire to conduct this study so as to fill the aforementioned
5
 gaps. A few studies conducted in Ambo town on the impact of urbanization focuses on the
economic impact. For instance, (Taso and Gadisa; 2023) studied the Impact of Urban
Expansion on Livelihood of Urban Fringe Agricultural Community. They found that the
majority (82.90%) of household heads’ annual income was below 5000 ETB indicating that
majority of the community’s livelihood is not beyond subsistence way of life. However, their
study did not incorporate the social impact of urbanization in Ambo town. Given this, by
incorporating the social aspect of impact of urbanization, this study will assess the socio-
economic impact of urbanization in Ambo town, Farisi kebele.

1.2. Objective of the Study

1.3.1. General objective

The general objective of this study is to examine the socio-economic impact on the surrounding
community of Ambo town in the case of Farisi kebele.

1.3.2. Specific objectives

• To investigate the social impact of urbanization on the households of Farisi kebele in
Ambo town.
• To assess the economic impact of urbanization on the households of Farisi kebele in
Ambo town.

1.3. Research Question

1. What are the social impacts of urbanization on the households of Farisi kebele in Ambo town?
2. What are the economic impacts of urbanization on the households of Farisi kebele of
Ambo town?

1.4. Significance of the Study

The result of this study will provide significant information for policy makers, and researchers
about the impacts of urbanization. Also, it will give insights for the concerning bodies regarding
to socio economic impacts of urbanization. It will give a clue for the policy makers and planers
while designing a policy and plan. It will also initiate researchers to conduct more detail research
on this topic on the town.

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1.5. Scope of the Study
The study will be conducted in Ambo town in Farisi kebele. The research proposal will
include only the socio economic impact of urbanization in Ambo town, Frisi kebele.

1.6. Limitation of the Study

The main limitations for this study will be language. Households in the study area speak Afan
Oromo language, but the researcher can’t speak Afan Oromo. Hence there may be a challenge of
communication between the respondents and interviewer (researcher). To reduce this problem,
the researcher will use guider person (supporter) who speak Afan Ororomo during data
collection from those households. .

1.7. Operational Definition

Urbanization: Horizontal expansion of Ambo town towards the surrounding rural areas.
Urban: means of or relating to a city, of or relating to living in a city, having characteristics of
being in the city.
Suburban: means of or relating to an area on the outskirts of a city, of or relating to living in an
area on the outskirts of a city, having characteristics of being in an are on the outskirts of a city.

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CHAPTER TWO

2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURES

2.1. Concepts of Urbanization

Urbanisation is the process of migration from rural to urban areas, resulting in the growth of
cities and towns. Urbanisation is characterized by the concentration of people and economic
activities in cities, as well as the development of urban infrastructure and services such as
transportation, housing, healthcare, and education. Urbanisation is also associated with changes
in the social and cultural fabric of communities, as well as changes in the natural environment,
including the conversion of rural land to urban land use and the creation of urban ecosystems.
(Clark, 1998).

Urban expansion is unplanned, unwanted spreading of urban development in to areas adjoining

the edges of a city. Urban sprawl is the low-thickness development of huge urban territories into
the encompassing farming zones. Sprawl lies in advances of the principal of urban growth and
implies little planning control of land subdivision. Development is putting, scattered and strong
out, with a tendency to discontinuity because it leaps flows over some areas, leaving agricultural
enclaves. Urban expansion is also a continuous process which is not mainly associated with
industrialization but a combination of all factors underlying the process of economic growth and
social change. Rapid expansion of urbanization is passing major opportunities' and challenge in
front of cities in developing countries (Sonor, 2008; Getahun (2017). As the urbanization rate is
increasing rapidly, urban centers horizontally expand and consume more land. Since
demographic pressure exerted on natural resource base has exceeded its carrying capacity, it is
quite natural to call it as one of the most formidable challenge for attainment of sustainable
development (Tersa, 1990).

2.2. CAUSES OF URBANIZATION

Existing research work showed that the probable urban expansion driving forces could be
environmental characteristics, social factors, spatial neighbourhood factors, economic factors,
and spatial policies (Verburg et al., 2004).Urbanization occurs mainly because people move
from rural areas to urban areas and it results in growth in the size of the urban population and the
extent of urban areas. These changes in population lead to other changes in land use, economic
activity and culture. Historically, urbanization has been associated with significant economic and
8
 social transformations. For example, urban living is linked with higher levels of literacy and
education, better health, lower fertility and a longer life expectancy, greater access to social
services and enhanced opportunities for cultural and political participation (UNDESA, 2014).

2.3. Consequences of urbanization.

The increase in the world urban population will be most dramatic in the poorest and least
developed or urbanized continents. Asia and Africa one billion people, seventh of the world
population or one third of urban population now live in shanty towns, which as seen as breeding
grounds, for certain problems such as crime, drug, addition alcoholism, poverty and
unemployment. There is increasing competition for facilities in urban areas which results in
several negative affects many people mainly farmers who have move to cities in search of a
better life and occupational opportunities and dup a casual laborers this lead to menacing
problems of urban growth slum (Rashid Farid, 2012).

2.4. Expansion of Urbanization

Currently, the process of urbanization is undergoing with an alarming rate. This urbanization
process in general and its horizontal expansion so called urban sprawl in particular has become a
global agenda. In fact, in different countries it has different forms but commonly urban sprawl
shares common patterns in terms of its causes and consequences. The impact that come up with
urbanization process in general and urban sprawl in particular is multidimensional. It causes
social and economic impacts on the surrounding farming community (Caswell, 2001).

9
2.5. Urban Expansion in the World
Urbanization is not a modern phenomenon; it was occurring since about 5000 B.C. The level of
urbanization can be measured by the ratio of population live in urban to the total population
which has been increasing in a given year. After the Second World War urbanization took place
rapidly all over the world. Urbanization levels were high in developed nations of Europe, North
America and Oceania, with more than 50% of the population living in the urban areas (United
Nations, 2000; cited by Hussien, 2013)

The urban population of the world has grown rapidly from 751 million in 1950 to 4.2 billion in
2018. Currently, 55 percent of the world population lives in cities and suburbs, this ratio is
estimated to grow 68% by 2050. Estimations demonstrate urbanization; the gradual change in
habitation of the people from rural to urban areas, with joint progress of population growth of the
globe could add 2.5 billion individuals to urban zones by 2050, with nearly 90% of this
expansion occurring in developing countries of Africa and Asia (UN, 2018). Today, the most
urbanized districts incorporate Northern America (82%), Latin America and the Caribbean
(78%), Europe (74%) and Oceania (67%). The level of urbanization in Asia is now
approximating 50%. In contrast, Africa remains mostly rural, with 43% of its population living
in urban areas.

2.6. Impacts of Urbanization in Africa

Urbanization has strong socio-cultural impacts on their surrounding rural areas. The mass media
depicts city life as superior to rural life, the standard language is deemed that of the national
capital, and better services are received in the city due to its wealth. The fertility rate in cities is
often lower than in rural areas due to the absence of agriculture, the cost of children, food and
living space in cities, and family planning. Urbanization can also breakdown the strong social
bond between family and kinship network as well as community at large. It stimulates
individualistic culture. Pere-urban farming community can be maladjusted with settlers. The
newly emerged social pattern is artificial or fragile pattern. Most often their communication
medium may be via dominant national language. This leads to the disuse of local language of the
community. Urbanization can cause social identity loss through eviction of the farmers from
their land. This eviction results in disintegration and segregation which facilitates their loss of
communal sense or belongingness. Once they lose this sentiment, automatically social identity
will be at risk (Bine, 2006).
10
Urbanization can damage the livelihood of pri urban community. Since urbanization reduces
farm land, it deteriorates the livelihood of farmers by degrading their income source. More
importantly, urbanization results in land disposition. Even though urbanization rises the political
conscious of community through mass media, it increases political pheripharilization and
inequity of the pre-urban farming community related with utilization from local development.
This can be dominated by powerful elites who are settlers. This shifts locals from central
political arena to Marginal one. It also results in inequitable resources and unfair opportunities
utilization. This creates social injustices by favoring the socio economically privileged elites and
harming socio-economically disadvantaged pre-urban community. In view of that, the social
injustice can provoke popular strife. These results in catastrophic uprising that can cause
different political violence’s.(Douglar, 2001).

2. 7. Impacts of Urbanization in Ethiopia

Urban sprawl increases land conversion into urban use for different purposes. This reduced the
farmland and exposed farmers to new socio-economic impacts. This leaves farmers landless
exposes them to insecure livelihood conditions. Land dispossession and eviction are the main
impacts of urbanization process in the study area. This tendency poses economic disparity

11
between few economically powerful elites and passive poor. Thus, the current urban sprawl
trends creates fortune for rich and harm the majority of the community who are incapable of
adjusting themselves to urban character partly due to their background.(Woldehanna,
2008).The community lacks modern technical skills such as business knowledge and
entrepreneurship skills which aggravate the severity of urbanization impacts on the community.
This indicates the existing urbanization trend does not harmonize with the interest of the
community. The alleged urban development projects provoked the local identity loss, first
language use abandonment and political marginalization which become the community's day to
day cancer. But, these problems were not seriously studied and that is why this study will
conduct.Mundia and Aniya (2005)

In line with this theme, Spengler (1922) as cited in Flanagan (2010) stated that the ultimate goal
of city is to suck a country and become gaining. For this reason, a country becomes less resource
or dry. The study area is expected to face several complicated and tremendous impacts become
more severe due to industrial establishment that like huge land size. The vast area of farmlands
are nowadays taken over by industries land dispossession and eviction of farmers from their
land.

2.8. Social Impacts of Urbanization

2.8.1. Positive impacts

The process of urbanization can create opportunities for communication and interaction, creative
thinking, technologies and new ideas (UN-HABITAT, 2008). The expansions of towns create
numerous opportunities for the surrounding farming communities. These opportunities include:
employment, access to urban services, and urban-rural linkages or trickledown effect of
development.

Nutter (2008) argued that urbanization does not have only negative impacts but it has also some
beneficial social consequences. Research undertaken in Accra by Charles (2010) identified that
urban expansion results in several social changes or outcomes. The study demonstrated that one
important benefit is development of infrastructure and facilities which includes roads, electricity,
private schools and health facilities to the pre-urban areas, an increase in the size and variation in

12
the quality of the housing stock; and an increased acquisition of formal education and non-
agricultural vocational skills by local people.

Urban surrounding community can get access to new way of life or livelihood strategy. Another
study by Caswell (2001) indicated that in urban area there are important facilities like museums,
libraries, schools, parks, zoos and other cultural center. According to this study, these facilities
provided urban citizens with cultural and educational opportunities that are not available in rural
areas. For instance, technology made urban living easier and comfortable. Moreover, access to
infrastructures such as roads and electricity exhibit an important role in the attraction of private
investment.

Even though the above studies show the pivotal role in identifying positive sides of urbanization,
they have no exhaustively considered all the possible positive outcome of urbanization. In short,
the studies failed to address all possible outcomes of urbanization, both positive and negative.

2.8.2. Negative social impacts

Many cities are rapidly growing into their fringe, engulfing farmer villages and farm lands and
transforming them into urban development (Rend man and jones, 2004). Urban sprawl is highly
blamed for its negative consequences, especially social problems. The study by Haregweyen
(2005) reconsidered an economic theory; density allows ideas to flow among each other quickly.
But, the shifting of job to suburb types result in both low productivity and social loss. The
intimate social ties are developed due to close proximity among community would be declined.
In addition, critics of urban sprawl blame the process that causes regional imbalances. The area
that endowed with pulling factors attracts people from all direction. However, the poor
community loses its human resources and face agricultural development problems. This
increases the social inequality between different communities. Moreover, urban sprawl poses
social segregation between rich and poor. This segregation in turn creates social isolation. The
problem harms more people left behind at down town (at the center of city). These people cannot
afford car based life style (always traveling by car to go anywhere) because they are low income
group. But, the rich who moved to suburb benefit from the urban sprawl. This illustrates
transport technology has a certain role in causing social fragmentation. Furthermore, the
congested and deteriorated central towns lay foundation for the emergence and prevalence of

13
crime and social unrest. This too much urban population densities cause psychological and
health problems (Haregweyen, 2005).

Thus, people are enforced to have bigger plots with their own green spaces. This can be achieved
by moving from urban centers and work areas. Haregweyen (2005) also assessed Los Angeles
which is known for its densest settlement. It was uncovered that the population density itself
caused congestion and social problem. The same literature found that low population density,
leapfrogging development cause high expenditure for infrastructure and service provision for
some parts of Beijing and Lusa Angeles. On the other hand, Melese (2005) stated that
urbanization cause agricultural community dislocation and unlawful resident settlement.

Hall (2006) stated that urbanization has both human and environmental dimension sustainability
implication which deserves evolution. The study suggests that the economic and social viability
of sub-urban area is questionable. The processes of urbanization cause a series of impact to
nearby environments. The study further mentioned that it is unlikely in the future that expertise
will scrutinize the issue of social justice and injustice generated by the process of urbanization,
typically the questions of environmental justice and injustice.

One of the cardinal features of urban sprawl is using more cars. This offers extraordinary
personal mobility and independence. But, this results in health hazards like air pollution, motor
vehicle, crashes and pedestrian injuries and fatalities Fernando, (2002) cited in Berhan(2010)).
For instance, air pollution poses severs breathing problems, skin diseases and other health
problems. It is obvious that air pollution affects health status of human being and other species.
Furthermore, there are families who cannot afford housing. As a result, this family becomes
exposed to distress. Finally, this family problem has negative impact on entire community's
overall health.

In addition, Bahama (2010) mentioned that from the point of view of social health, the low
density development is responsible for reducing social interaction. Unplanned, illegal and
shantytown in Africa threatens the health status (UN-Habitat,2010). Bahama (2010) adds that
this scenario also threatening the ways that people live together. The inhabitants may also lose
the sense of community as their population size and diversity rises drastically.

14
 A study conducted in USA by Rese (2010) found that urban sprawl in USA starts in 1950 when
flight directed to suburb to search tranquil life. As suburban areas developed, geographic size of
the city become more than its population growth. Rese (2010) asserted that there is evidence that
urban sprawl affects negatively social aspects on environmental aspects. This effect is substantial
particularly in human health. This lifestyle of suburb and car culture affects human health
negatively. Socioeconomically disadvantaged people in sprawling cities may have less health
promoting opportunities than wealthier people who lead health life style and consume better
services due to their privileged position. In this regard, urban sprawl creates social inequality
between poor community and elite wealthy. More importantly, urbanization upsets traditional
social patterns (Nutter, 2010). For example, extended families break down. Minority languages
may fall into disuse as the dominant global or local language takes over in the urban community.
Traditional dress may also give way. Drug, alcohol, and tobacco use may increase (Nutter,
2010).

2.9. Economic Impacts of Urbanization

2.9.1. 2.7.1.Positive impacts

Urbanization can create job opportunities and non-farm activities in the pre-urban areas (Sat hart
Waiteet al, 2003). Similarly, the research conducted by Haregweyen (2005) stated that urban
sprawl is not always considered as harmful. This study illustrated urbanization process is not
necessarily bad. Some agree that urbanization or urban sprawl is an outcome of economic
development. At the same time, it can be also a requirement for economic development. Some
government organizations and planners view urban sprawl as a sign of economic vitality. They
do not conceive it as ecological threat (Haregweyen, 2005). They claim that countries like
America do not need to bother about urban sprawl. This is due to its vast and open spaces that
can potentially be converted. They also underscore decentralization of employment to different

parts of country as a primary advantage of urban sprawl or urbanization. They contend that car
culture or development of transport technology has shortened the distance and time to be traveled.

Victor et al ;( 2010) mentioned that indigenous inhabitants are pleased with rapid and managed
urbanization process. This pleasure stemmed from their experience of local development,
infrastructural development and new construction which were unavailable before. Yet,
urbanization caused both negative and positive impacts on the indigenous inhabitants’
15
livelihoods. Actually urbanization has its own undeniable importance particularly economic
significance just as discussed by above literatures. However, the literature exclusively discussed
employment opportunity and desired development associates with urbanization. But, this alone
may not be adequate to validate its importance. Sometimes urbanization may pose negative
economic impacts.

2.7.2.Negative impacts

The livelihood of the farming community found impoverished by urbanization process (Tades
1999). Likewise, the study conducted by Mercedes (2002) indicated that the peasants living in
pre-urban are marginalized both economically and socially. This has led to a general
impoverishment of the households. All households were subjected to a variety of livelihood
stresses. The oblivious limited resource that can be at risk is land. Urban sprawl in all form has
its costs. Urbanization leads to loss of livelihood because loss of land changes livelihood pattern
adversely (Fayer, 2009). For example, in china where population is dense, land for food
production is becoming scarce (Haregweyen, 2005). Urban sprawl leads to land use that is
unfavorable to the development of sustainable transport models. Nowadays, home and business
become further apart. This forces government to provide widely spaced services and
infrastructure. This leads to higher costs and increased tax burden (Haregweyen, 2005). All
urban sprawl results in loss of limited resource.

Moreover, Haregweyen (2005) indicated that urban population growth in Ethiopia is estimated at
6%, a much higher figure compared to other African countries. Another aspect of urbanization in
Ethiopia is the wider range of regional differentials or popularization in the level of urbanization.
Like most developing countries, rural to urban migration is a common phenomenon. Tribal wars
and conflicts are common phenomena driving people from their villages. Slums are emerging in

different parts of the cities, especially the capital, and are the only voices for the majority of the
city dwellers that are poor. Additional population increase in bigger cities is accommodated by
crowding of existing houses. Rather than new construction developments, existing houses are
often extended or divided illegally so that they would be rented by migrants. The need for
housing is not integrated with the need to prevent horizontal expansion and hence saving land.
Formal and informal settlements are stretching out horizontally from the central capital in all
directions (Haregweyen, 2005).

Land is ineffectively used; new developments are planned on virgin land usually leapfrogging
16
 from urban cores. Generally, urban sprawl and land misuse in Ethiopia is a result of population
pressure (both from natural births and migration), poor land policies, lease and planning and
regional resource distribution imbalance. Haregweyen (2005) also found lease and ineffective
land use as costs that are imposed upon farmers.

Furthermore, Stolly (2005) mentioned that gentrification (renovation and investment undertaking
by removing former settlers) leads to displacement of the poor. Bryant (2007) further stated that
urban growth can result in devastative effect. Urbanization has the potential to increase
concentration of poverty in the pre-urban zones (Ermias et al., 2009). Most often urban sprawl
takes place at the expense of main agricultural land (Ermias, 2009).

The research conducted by Bhatta (2010) showed that there is considerable wealth disparity
between cities and suburbs. In many cases, private utility systems serving the main segment of
the settled area cannot be expanded for technical and financial reasons. Study by Mandela et al.
(2010) showed deteriorating economic status of the pre-urban community because of the
shrinking of their agricultural land. Urban sprawl often occurs in peripheral areas without the
discipline of proper planning and zoning. As a result, it blocks the ways of future possible
quality services. Urbanization in general and sprawl in particular contribute to loss of farm land
and open spaces (Bhatta, 2010).

Urban growth in the United States was predicated to consume 7 million acres of farmland, 7
million acres of environmentally sensitive land and 5 million acres of other lands during the
period 2000-2025 (Burchell, 2005, cited in Bhatta, 2010). This case is enough to visualize the
world's scenario. The farmers propel to sell land to speculators when provincial tax and land

policy issue impose pressure on them. Bhatta (2010) indicated that the farmers think that due to
low prices of farm commodity in the global market selling land is far more profitable in the long
term than continuing farming it. In addition, thousands of relatively small parcels of farmland are
being severed off to create rural residential development (Bhatta, 2010). Collectively, these small
lots (large land size) contribute to the loss of hundreds of hectares of productive agricultural land
per year.Considering the economy of Haiti which is non-African country is enough to understand
the economic effect of urbanization on rural community (Nutter, 2010). Formers become factory
labour workers. The subsistence/rural economy were changed to stake like earthquake on human
and other resources which become a massive tomb. Survivors in the country were faced with life-
threatening food shortages. Bill Clinton even took the extraordinary step of apologizing for his

17
role in encouraging urbanization during the 1990's (Nutter, 2010).

Luellasegued et al. (2010) argued that in order to satisfy the ever increasing demand of land it
has become mandatory to displace pre-urban communities from their landholding. Land is a
major factor for crop, livestock and eucalyptus production. These are mainstay of pre-urban
livelihoods. The dispossession of these productions contributes to the prevailing vulnerability of
livelihoods in pre-urban area. Ament (2009) cited in Luellasegued et al.; (2010) further noted
that informal land transactions and formal land allocations for built up areas as the main reason
for agricultural and conversion. This horizontal physical expansion has led to a complete
dispossession of agricultural land or farmland size reduction. This in turn forced farmers to shift
in their livelihood strategies. In the pre-urban farming commuting trouble finding thinly
agriculture contributes more than half (58%) of the total household income (Luellasegued et al.,
2010).

Furthermore, Luellasegued et al.; (2010) found that the income of household decreases with the
degree of displacement. They demonstrated that fully displaced people are the most suffering
groups when compared with partially displaced and non-displaced people. This should not be a
surprise since they are dispossessed from main income sources which are farmlands
(Luellasegued et al.; 2010). Also, he noted that fully displaced people face additional problem
regarding compensation. It was mentioned that farmers lack business knowledge and
entrepreneurial ability. As a result, farmers left without any livelihood alternatives.

However,partial land displaced could utilize compensation in terms of enhancing their

productivity through application of inputs. Even their income is comparable or equivalent with
non-displaced people. The fully displaced farmers also started to pursue consumption pattern
rather than production. This adaptation mechanism poses other challenges by rising living cost.
They always lead to survival strategy as just expenses on their compensation in their daily needs.
Luellasegued et al. (2010) observed that welfare situation of urbanization can induce displaced
household into problem. Furthermore, compensation, land provision for house construction alone
do not secure livelihood sustainability of urbanization induced displaced people.

Feyer and Teresa (2010) found that urban expansion is neither participatory nor supportive to
farmers in the periphery. Thus, it has negative effects on the people's livelihood where women
and youth are major victims. The main coping strategies of majority of displaced farmers are
casual daily labor, since other more productive opportunities have gradually become unavailable

18
in the area. Future urbanization programs will need to be comprehensive and participatory to
ensure a transition to more stable and improved livelihoods (Feyer and Teresa, 2010). These
researchers mentioned that urbanization process could not capture the needs and aspirations of
farmers who were forced to leave their land property.

Indeed, the literatures found several negative economic impacts of uncontrolled urban expansion.
For example, Behan (2010) indicated that wealth disparity and land dispossession are outcomes
of a city to its peripheries. It can be achieved by upward growth.

Indeed, the literatures found several negative economic impacts of uncontrolled urban expansion.
For example, Behan (2010) indicated that wealth disparity and land dispositions are outcomes of
urbanization that create problems against economic wellbeing of farmers.

Another study by Nutter (2010) showed that urbanization induced farmers to be swears labor
workers (manual workers employed for long hours and under poor conditions). There in city
farmers again suffer from life threatening life style in city which is not compatible for them.
Luellasegued et al.; (2010) uncovered that dispossession of land and eviction of farmers from
land result in decreased income of farmers. The most recent study conducted by Getahun (2014)
asserted that dispossession and grabbing of land because more damage to farmers. The
uncontrolled urban sprawl poses short term consequences. However, the above literatures did not

address other economic consequences like job opportunities, poverty, productivity, market
access, food security, investment costs like wage declining, etc. which are essential elements of
economic indicators.

2.10.Theoretical Framework

2.10.1. Ferdinand Tone’s

The loss of community: most sociologists agree that cities high degree of impersonal relationship
and social alienation. In1887, German sociologist, Ferdinand Tonnes in his work community and
society indicated that a given community undergoes a great transformation as it changes from
small, rural and traditional cultures to larger, urban and industrial setting. He mentioned that a
sense of community is a typical example of pre-society set up. In a community extended family
and kinship are strong. The number care for each other and looking out of one another. However,
Tonnes noted that as industrialization and urbanization advanced relationships became more
19
impersonal. Tonnes called this society (community). He was critical of this development. He
lamented for the loss in urban societies of close social bonds and a strong sense of community.
He feared that a sense of root lessens in this society begins to replace the feeling of stability and
steadiness characteristic of small and rural communities. Tonnes observed a direct tension
between community and the city (association). The rural village was compatible with the feeling
of unity. It was stable and the web of relationship within it was seasoned with age. However, the
city introduced division by social class thereby created social tension between the interests of
capital and labor. The city characterized by hostility and had no natural need or place for
extended family. In general, the city is atypical association. It is essentially, commercial town
because commerce dominates its productive labor or a factory town. Its wealth is capital wealth
which includes trade, usury and industrial capital. Capital is the means for the appropriation of
products of labor or for the exploitation of workers. The city is also the center of science and
culture, which always go hand in hand with comers and industry. In this society, art is considered
as making a living and exploited in capitalistic way. Thoughts spread and change with
astonishing rapidity (Toni, 1887, 1940, 266) as cited by Flanagan (2010). In the city any action is
coordinated by its calculated exchange values. The community to association undermines
informal social control and replaces by formal social control the urban society is characterized
by fragility or artificiality which formed based on legal arrangement or contract but rural society
has

20
strong status based attachment by giving extended family honor. Furthermore, Ferdinand Tonnes
found that in personalization of the world stimulated and heightened through modernization
process. Even though they did not perceive industrial society as worse than folk society, he was
critical of the development of individualistic culture in urban area. He studied distinctive
characteristics of each society of village or rural and urban or industrial. As a result, he could
identify community and association as a typical example of rural and urban respectively.

Tonnies's idea of transformation of community to society (association) relatively has similarity

to this study in different ways. In view of that, the study emphasizes changes that happen as
result of rural farming community transformation to city or society. In other words, it is about
transformation of rural community. Despite the fact that transformation in study area relatively
different from changes happen in Europe during era of Ferdinand Tonnes, more or less it is much
related with tones idea of transition from community to association and changes occur in the
transformation.

2.10.2. Karl Marx

Like other sociologists, Marx was so critical of urbanization process. He, with his colleague
Engels, condemned the process of urbanization under capitalism under the issue of the political
economy and urbanization. They believed the consequence of urbanization is harmful for
society. They viewed the concentration and misery of the mass workers in the new urban
agglomeration as necessary stage in the creation of a revolutionary force. For them,
popularization and material degradation were aspects of urbanization. But they considered
critically the most pervasive impact of urbanization which was the destruction of the social
nexus of the traditional community and its replacement by the utilitarian world of the city.

21
2.11. Conceptual framework of the study
The issue of urbanization and its impacts is too complex and wide to address. Thus, in order to
make it more understandable, it is presented in figure 1 diagrammatically.

Negative Social impacts

Negative Economic impacts
. Cultures and norms erosion
. Land disposition
. First language
abandonment . Land grabbing

URBANIZATION

Positive Economic impact

Positive Social impacts
.Market access provilling
. Availability of
infrastructure and social .Availability of job
amenities opportunities
. Health status improvement

22
CHAPTER THREE

3. METHODOLOGY
3.1. Description of Study Area
Ambo town is located in the west shewa zone, Oromia region of Ethiopia. Ambo town is 114km
far from Addis Ababa. The total population of the town is about 83, 756 (Taso & Gadissa; 2023).
And it is the capital city of West Shewa zone. This Ambo town has a latitude and longitude of
8°59′N 37°51′E and an elevation of 2,101 meter above mean sea level (Ambo District Finance
and Economic Development Office, 2010). My specific study area will be Ambo town, specially
in Farisi kebel. The source of the data for this study will be households living in Farisi kebele.

3.2. Target population

Study population or target population is defined as all the members of that real or hypothetical
set of people, events or objects to which a researcher wish to generalize the result of the research
study (Borg and Gall, 1989). Therefore, the target population of this study will be households
that live in Ambo town Faris kebele.

3.3. Research Design

For the purpose of this study will use a cross-sectional design incorporated with both qualitative
and quantitative approaches. The study employees cross-sectional study design because of his
contacting respondents once only while data collection. The qualitative research provides a
typical descriptive data and is gathered through the use of interviews while quantitative research
provides typical numerical data that quantity observations, administered tests and instruments.
The mixed aspects will therefore appropriate for gathering data on economic impacts of
urbanization on the surrounding community of Ambo town in Farisi kebele

3.4. Sample Size Determination and Sampling techniques

Both probability and non-probability sampling method will be used. From the probability
sampling stratified random sampling will be used, because the population is heterogeneous. And
also among the non-probability sampling method the research will employ purposive sampling
method, because the interview or study designer chooses sample units by their judgment to meet
the specific purpose of the survey. In this research, from the total population of kebele are 9450
 the study 20 respondents were selected based on the lottery techniques. From the total sample
size 395 of them were assigned for questionnaire.The researcher decided to apply (Yemanie
formula) this formula expecting a small sample size that yields more reliable data.
By using the following formula:

n=N/1 + N (e)2

n=represents sample size

N= total population in Farsi kebele.

e= o.o5

e= percent of error

3.5. Source of Data

This study will use primary and secondary sources of data.

3.5.2. Primary sours of data

Primary source of data will be collected from interview, questioner, observation, survey question
, and FGD etc.

3.5.3. Secondary sours of data

Secondary data will be collected from various sources of published materials, including
books and from internet to support primary data by careful review of the related
documentation.

3.6. Method of Data Collection Tools

Both quantitative and qualitative data collection method will be used. Survey, in-depth interview
and questionnaire is used to obtain data and information for this study.

Questionnaire:

In order to collect appropriate data, the researcher will employ questionnaire as a data collection
tool for the quantitative survey. Questionnaire is the major device to gather primary data using
serious of question that seek the personal and basic information about the issue.
Survey
The survey is the most widely used data gathering technique in sociology, and it is used in many
other fields, as well. It is a research method in which a population, or a portion thereof, is
 questioned to reveal specific facts about itself (Kumar, 2011). In this study, survey technique
will be used to gather important information about the impacts urban expansion in the study area.

In-depth interview
In-depth interview is an essential method to collect qualitative data. This method will be selected
because of its importance to get genuine more detail information about the issue of impacts of
urbanization on the surrounding community.

Focus Group Discussion

These methods were used to get an adequate and timely data through an interactive mode of
information exchange. This data collection method is believed to be very important since it gives
freedom for the informants to express their ideas, opinions, views and understanding of the
situation of the study area. The FGD informants was classified in two groups and each of the
groups had 8 informants which means the total number of 16 informants. The FGD informants
was compose of different age, sex and educational status categories of people whose livelihood
is agriculturally oriented and the researcher selected them judgmentally from the rest of
community members. The discussion would held in the appropriate place for FGD participants
and for the discussion itself. The researcher had moderated the discussion in the local language
using guide questions. The participants included in the FGD was the farmer informants who
would not include in the interview schedule, and they were the informants who could freely and
actively expressed the impacts of urbanization and its prospective sustainable solution from their
own point of view and personal understanding.

3.7. Method of Data Analysis

After collecting the data from the field, both qualitative and quantitative method of data analysis
will be used. The gathered data through questionnaire from respondents is analyzed by
quantitative analyzing techniques such as tabulation, percentage and frequency. The qualitative
data collected through in-depth interview from households and farming communities will be
analyzed using descriptive analysis.

3.8. Ethical Consideration

Letter of permission will be obtained from the concerned office before starting the data
collection. Also, all participants under this study will be informed about the purpose of the study,
and they have the right to refuse filling the questionnaire at any stage when they want to do so
will be kept. Moreover, they will be requested for their consent prior to the distribution of the
questionnaire. Effort will be made to overcome ethical concerns of the participants due to the
sensitivity of the issue under study by careful designing and structuring the questionnaire; clear
explanation about the purpose and usefulness of the study and other identifying numbers from
the questionnaire in order to assure confidentiality of information.
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