Abstract:
Social relationships provide individuals companionship and social support during good and
hard times; specially in neighborhoods social interaction among people living near one another
has significant impact on their social life. Neighbourhoods are a central component of daily life
for human beings. In the past, neighbourhood social interaction may consist of discussing with
neighbours, playing with children, sharing information and resources in the community, or
watching over someone’s house while they are away. However, because of the urbanization
and the change of housing structures to condominiums, people tend to practice fewer social
relationships. This significantly reduced neighbourhood social networks and values, and
deteriorated existing norms. This study explored the opportunities and challenges of
condominium neighbourhood for social relationships in Harar town, Ethiopia. A total of 250
structured enumerator administered questionnaire, 6 interviews with Filla condominium and
Ras Mekonnen condominium residents, two FGD with condominium committees were done to
collect data. While quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis
was employed for qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that there are poor social
relationships across the two condominium sites. Lack of not knowing each other, isolation,
immediacy, disruptive behaviour and lifestyle are the main challenges to establish social
relationships among the condominium residents. Diversified culture, autonomous use of
facilities and social relations are mentioned as opportunities of living in the condominium
neighbourhood. The study argues that forming social relationships are basic for community
development and to enhance interpersonal relationships in the condominium neighbourhoods.
Thus, the study recommend that the residents need to develop some strategies to establish social
organizations for mutual benefits, and the social affairs office and mass media should give due
consideration in endorsing community awareness on how existing social relationships could be
kept for better relationship among the condominium.
