OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN CONDOMINIUM NEIGHBORHOOD: THE CASE OF TWO SELECTED CONDOMINIUM SITES IN HARAR CITY

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.