Urbanization in a ‘Least Developed’ Country

Abstract

Divergence of opinions exists regarding the role of urbanization in national development
especially in developing countries. Ethiopia, classified by the UN as a ‘least developed country’
is one of the least urbanized countries in the continent of Africa but is experiencing the
highest rate of urbanization. The pattern of urbanization is uneven in terms of regional and
population size distribution of towns and the urban system is functionally unarticulated having
weak rural-urban and urban-urban linkages. Simultaneously urban areas are expanding due
to natural increase as well as rural-urban migration, the latter being driven out by a languishing
rural-agricultural sector. Rural-urban migration is putting high pressure on urban areas unable
to offer jobs, shelter and services to the new migrants. Slum and squatter settlements are
expanding, urban informality is growing, land speculation is rampant and the urban
environmental conditions are becoming bad to worse. The present paper discusses these
aspects of urbanization and urban growth and concludes with the initiatives taken by the
government to ameliorate the situation.