Socio Economic Impacts of Urban Expansion on Peri-Urban Communities. The Case of Gondar city

Examination Thesis from the year 2021 in the subject Sociology - Economy and Industry, grade: Very Good, University of Gondar (social science), course: sociology, language: English, abstract: The general objective of this study is to examine the impacts of urban expansion on peri-urban farming households of Gondar city, to describe the means of livelihood changes of farmers after their land was expropriated. Furthermore, to describe the sustainable livelihoods of peri-urban households after land expropriation, to explain the social problems of evicted people resulted from city expansion and to explain the actual implementation of policies and strategies in ensuring sustainable livelihood of evicted households.

It is obvious that urbanization has positive effects for countries development. The growth of cities and towns is considered as one of the process of development. Since cities are place of civilization, generating economic development and social, cultural, spiritual and scientific advancements, they are assumed as center of opportunities. These opportunities include: advantages of employment, access to urban services, commerce, transportation and schools and health services. However, uncontrolled urbanization in most developing countries negatively affects the natural environment and livelihoods of peri-urban areas. Urban development determine changes regarding the organization of places, economic and social changes, but these effects exceed the territorial barriers and generate a broad impactparticularly for the surrounding rural communities. Urban expansion is derived from two factors. One is the rise of investment and economic development that leads peri- urban areas to be given for factories, constructions or other investment sectors. The second factor for urban expansion is population growth of the urban places which may rise from natural growth and rural to urban migration.