URBAN LAND EXPROPRIATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON LOCAL COMMUNITY: THE CASE OF PERI-URBAN AREA OF KOMBOLCHA, NORTHEAST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Land expropriation for urban development becomes a hot issue due to rapid urbanization. While expropriation can facilitate urban development, balancing urban expansion with welfare of evicted community is important. This study explores the practice of land expropriation and its impact on local community in the peri-urban area of Kombolcha, Northeast Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the study used primary data collection methods such as observation, semi structured interview and focus group discussions. The finding revealed that acquisition of land for urban expansion was undertaken without timely notification, inadequate prior public consultation, and exclusion of evicted community from decision-making regarding valuation and compensation. This hinders the affected individuals from effectively preparing and speaking about their rights. The compensation process also looks inconsistent and delay payment, incompletely income assessed, inadequate consideration of some individuals and communal assets, leaving affected households with little influence over the process. The nature of implementation, along with the devastating loss of their lands negatively influences their perceptions towards expropriation. However, the study revealed that the community may collaborate if some pre-conditions are fulfilled. The finding also indicated that expropriation exposes the evicted groups to several socioeconomic challenges including displacement from their livelihoods, loss of income and jobs, which further worsen by inconsistence compensation and lack of comprehensive entrepreneurial training. The social challenges includes erosion of long-standing social networks and established mutual working and support systems, like Jige and Iddir associations. Additionally, the expropriation widens the social class gap by stripping people of their landholding status. The study also revealed that expropriation affects the provisioning services of environment. Thus, the study recommends that ensuring effectiveness of established expropriation proclamations and minimizes widening effect of expropriation needs consideration, unless it may raises concerns over procedural fairness and legitimacy of the process.