Socio-Economic Impacts of Displacement Caused By Urban Infrastructural Development, the Case of Kombolcha Airport Project, Ethiopia

Wondimu H and Kebede A

Published on: 2022-08-29

Abstract

In Ethiopia, millions of people were evicted and maltreated due to infrastructural development. However, this article examined the impact of urban infrastructural development projects on the livelihoods of the relocated community in Kombolcha city (South-Wollo, Ethiopia). This paper used a mixed research method that includes qualitative (in-depth interview) and quantitative approaches (survey questionnaire). The study surveyed 480 displaced and 420 non-displaced participants to investigate service provision differences by the federal government. The findings of this study show that there are significant government-provided service provision differences between the displaced and non-displaced households the government. The results show differences in performance observed in third-party employment relationships, comprehensive home training in strengthening commercial business skills, and communicating issues to responsible authorities to obtain external grants and assistance from the state government. This paper summarizes the hideous impacts of unplanned infrastructural development on the host communities. Based on the study findings, the paper also recommends that land and property ownership be secured, and urban planners should consider broadening economic to social benefits with training to deepen knowledge of local cultural practices and the nature of society.