Impacts of Urban Sprawl and Land Use/Land Cover Change on Socio-economic and Environmental Dynamics in Bole, Yeka, and Lemi-Kura Sub-cities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Expansion urban sprawl and land use/cover change has profoundly impacts socio-economic and environmental dynamics. This study investigates the impact of urban sprawl and land use/cover transformation on socio-economic and environmental impacts on sub-cities of Bole, Yeka, and Lemi-Kura in Addis Ababa from 1991 to 2022. Descriptive and explanatory research design was applied using a survey data of 138 residents across six districts within the three sub-cities. The result reveal significant land use and cover transformations occurred over the period, with built-up areas increasing from 2,382.12 hectares (10.96%) to 11,291.31 hectares (51.95%), while non-built-up areas decreased from 19,349.19 hectares (89.04%) to 10,441.89 hectares (48.05%). Notably, Bole, Yeka, and Lemi-Kura experienced substantial urban expansion, reflecting broader urbanization trends in Ethiopia. The study reveals that urban sprawl in Bole, Yeka, and Lemi-Kura imposes substantial economic burdens, with a majority of respondents reporting high congestion costs for businesses (75%) and high costs for extending urban infrastructure (71%). Administratively, (29%) of respondents perceive the management of urban-rural relations as poor, highlighting governance gaps. While these negative impacts are evident, the findings also underscores emerging efforts toward sustainability, (50%) rating the implementation of long-term integrated strategies as high, and (62%) noting strong measures to protect greenfield land, indicating an acknowledged need for better planning despite the ongoing challenges of unplanned expansion. Respondents' perceptions indicate that urban sprawl exacerbates social and economic divisions, with 37.68% and 25.36% reporting high or very high levels of social stratification. Economic repercussions are evident, with 45.65% of respondents noting increased commuting costs due to urban sprawl, driven by longer distances between residences and workplaces. Additionally, perceptions of high congestion and infrastructure costs (42.03% each) emphasize the mounting strain on municipal budgets. Effective management of urban-rural relationships is deemed crucial, with mixed views on the implementation of collaborative strategies for sustainable urban development. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between urban sprawl and socio-economic variables in Addis Ababa. The challenges and present experience posed by unplanned urbanization and weak governance necessitate targeted policy interventions, emphasizing the need for strategic urban planning and enhanced community engagement to promote sustainable growth and mitigate adverse impacts on livelihoods, social cohesion, and economic stability in rapidly urbanizing settings.