SPATIAL CHANGE OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENT AND DETERMINANT FACTORS IN SULULTA TOWN, SHEGGER CITY, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Squatter settlement is present a critical urban management challenge in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to examine spatial change of squatter settlements and determinant factors in the Sululta town, Shegger City, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. A mixed research approach with a sequential descriptive survey design was employed. Both qualitative and quantitative data were systematically collected and analysed using software like Arc Geographical Information System. Primary data was collected from 385 samples, 8 key informant interviews, and encompassing remote sensing analysis to examine land use and land cover changes from 1991 to 2022. Analysis of satellite imagery demonstrated a substantial increase in built-up area, rising from 3.08% in 1991 to 46.17% in 2022, indicating rapid urban growth. Most of the squatter settler occupied land without consent of legal procedures and the held land also above current standard area of land plots allowed 140-meter square that has been implemented based on land lease law in Sululta town. The binary multiple linear regression analysis indicated that, education, income, family size, occupation, high growth rate, and inefficient land administrations were significantly determined by a combination of demographic and socioeconomic factors, including the high price of land, unemployment, location preference, shortage of houses and house rent. Regarding the consequences of squatter settlement expansion, the study found that socio-economic consequences such as marginalization, lack of basic infrastructure provision, property loss, and insecure tenure were prevalent. Whereas, disposal of wastes, flooding, and shrinkage of agricultural and forest land were major environmental consequences in the study area. To this end, the findings of the study indicate that controlling the squatter settlements were challenging due to, administration and socio-economic problems in the study area. The paper concludes that the growth of such settlements is questionable to be reversed in the future unless a viable and appropriate policy measure is in place. Therefore, it is recommended that the reinforcement of preventive approaches such as improved land and housing provision, regularization of existing settlements, but with the provision of adequate services.