Urbanization:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Published: November 21, 2008, 6:55 pm
Updated: November 21, 2008, 6:55 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Langdon D. Clough
Map of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, was established in 1889 and is now a city of 2.9 million. The city's growth has accelerated dramatically since a major urban migration into the city began in the mid 70s driven mainly by unemployment, poverty and declining agricultural productivity in rural areas, and relatively improved income and employment opportunities in the urban areas. The population doubled in the last twenty years and projected population growth points to 5.1 million in 2015. The city has also shown extensive physical growth over the years. In the 1920s, the area of the city was estimated to be only 33 km2 which grew to 224 km2 in 1984 and by 1990, it was estimated to be 530 km2. This massive urban sprawl is visible in the satellite images taken in 1973, 1986, 2000 and 2005.
Figure 1. Satellite view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 31, 1973. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Figure 2. Satellite view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 26, 2005. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
The country has an annual population growth of 2.8%, and an accelerated migration to urban centers (6% or more per year). Nearly one-third (27%) of Ethiopia's urban population is living in Addis Ababa and this has created a substantial pressure on the city's housing, urban services and infrastructure. For instance, ten years ago (in 1996) the total housing stock was 350,000 where only 238,000 were residential units and the rest were business units. But in that same year, the total number of households was estimated to be 460,000 leaving 220,000 households or nearly 1,000,000 residents without suitable housing. This large gap led to unplanned settlement, illegal housing construction, and uncontrolled settlements encroaching on protected forest and reserve lands in different corners of the city. A recent estimate indicates that the city needs as many as 300,000 additional housing units. A low-cost housing project pioneered by German Technical Cooperation International Services (GTZ-IZ) has recently changed part of the cityscape and to some extent rolled back the growth of slums.
Figure 3. Population in Addis Ababa has doubled in the last 20 years and projections predict a population over 5 million by 2015. (Source: Africa Research Bulletin -17061, July 16 – August 15, 2006)
Figure 4. City life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Source: Andrew Heavens, Flickr/UNEP)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
United Nations Environment Programme (Lead Author);Langdon D. Clough (Topic Editor) "Addis Ababa, Ethiopia". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth November 21, 2008; Last revised Date November 21, 2008; Retrieved May 21, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Addis_Ababa,_Ethiopia?topic=49511>
The Author
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was first established in 1972, after the United Nation's Conference on the Human Environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP is an advocate, educator, catalyst and facilitator, promoting the wise use of the planet’s natural assets fo ... (Full Bio)
Map of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, was established in 1889 and is now a city of 2.9 million. The city's growth has accelerated dramatically since a major urban migration into the city began in the mid 70s driven mainly by unemployment, poverty and declining agricultural productivity in rural areas, and relatively improved income and employment opportunities in the urban areas. The population doubled in the last twenty years and projected population growth points to 5.1 million in 2015. The city has also shown extensive physical growth over the years. In the 1920s, the area of the city was estimated to be only 33 km2 which grew to 224 km2 in 1984 and by 1990, it was estimated to be 530 km2. This massive urban sprawl is visible in the satellite images taken in 1973, 1986, 2000 and 2005.
Figure 1. Satellite view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 31, 1973. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
Figure 2. Satellite view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 26, 2005. (Source: UNEP/GRID)
The country has an annual population growth of 2.8%, and an accelerated migration to urban centers (6% or more per year). Nearly one-third (27%) of Ethiopia's urban population is living in Addis Ababa and this has created a substantial pressure on the city's housing, urban services and infrastructure. For instance, ten years ago (in 1996) the total housing stock was 350,000 where only 238,000 were residential units and the rest were business units. But in that same year, the total number of households was estimated to be 460,000 leaving 220,000 households or nearly 1,000,000 residents without suitable housing. This large gap led to unplanned settlement, illegal housing construction, and uncontrolled settlements encroaching on protected forest and reserve lands in different corners of the city. A recent estimate indicates that the city needs as many as 300,000 additional housing units. A low-cost housing project pioneered by German Technical Cooperation International Services (GTZ-IZ) has recently changed part of the cityscape and to some extent rolled back the growth of slums.
Figure 3. Population in Addis Ababa has doubled in the last 20 years and projections predict a population over 5 million by 2015. (Source: Africa Research Bulletin -17061, July 16 – August 15, 2006)
Figure 4. City life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Source: Andrew Heavens, Flickr/UNEP)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment