Causes Of Squatter Settlement And Its Impact On The Provision Of Urban Infrastructures

Squatter settlements are rapidly growing and inevitable phenomena in 21 stcentury cities in the developing countries.Shelter,like food and clothing,is one of the basic human necessities for the living and the survival of human beings.To meet housing needs,people in urban areas are obligated to squat due to the mismatch between housing demand and supply.This thesis has assessed the existing situation,identified the Causes of Squatter Settlement and Its Impact on the Provision of Urban Infrastructures: The Ca se of Burayu Cit y,Ethiopia;Special zone of Oromia Surrounding Finfinne.The study applied descriptive research design using mixed of both qualitative and quantitative approaches.The total sample size is 188 respondents(168 households,20 experts and higher officials)have been involved by using probabilistic sampling,simple random sampling technique and non-probability sampling,purposive sampling technique to select stakeholders,experts,and officials from different offices.Hence,the study is conducted from 2019 to June/ 2020.The study identified,the causes of squatter settlement as population growth,shortage of income,rural-urban migration,lack of access to the urban land,long process of a municipality,deficits in housing supply,high land market,and high house rent.Also,People residing in Squatter settlements face challenges of service delivery.This is mainly since the land was occupied illegally,thus impacting the provision of basic services.Nonexistence of basic needs and services leads to squatter settlements having impacts on the environment.This includes insufficient sanitation which leads dwellers to pollution,the use of coal and biomass fuel for lighting,causing air pollution,and in turn contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases.Waste removal is a problem with which informal settlers' struggle and which causes land pollution and developing and re-emerging infectious disease hazards.Besides,the study identified the positive impacts of squatter settlements are,they act as a bridge in reducing the gap between housing demand and supply,It's a great role to alleviate housing problem and also created access for those who did not have access to the formal provision of land for housing.Moreover,negative impacts of squatter settlements,are/limited access to infrastructure and services,poor housing conditions,no tenure security,social insecurity and instability,flooding problem,inappropriate location,and uneconomic use of land.There are also measures taken by municipality,awareness creation,giving oral warnings,wrote warning letters,and also performed demolishing practices at different times at a few Kebeles.Finally,this study confirms that,even if squatter settlements play its role in solving temporary housing shortages,the proliferation of squatting has resulted in different socioeconomic,and institutional problems that hinder the competitiveness of the town.Therefore,based on the results of the findings of the study,the provision of affordable housing development schemes and strategies and effective urban infrastructures and service delivery systems are recommended in reducing the expansion of squatting.