An assessment of land grabbing; cause and consequence: the case of Mekelle city

Abstract

Land grabbing have significant social, economic, and environmental effect on both urban and rural areas. Therefore, this study is carried out to record the land grabbing magnitude, identify its cause and consequences by using observation, interview and preparing questioner as method of primary data collection and collecting different secondary data from governmental and nongovernmental institutions and then using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis method, using sample sizes, which lead to findings that are more generalizable to a broader population. Based on the analysis The land grabbed from 2007 E.C. up to 2012 E.C. is found to be 49.86 hectare which account 0.15% area of Mekelle city; and also from 2013 E.C. up to 2017 E.C. a total area of 245.01-hectare land is illegally grabbed, which account for 0.76% area of Mekelle city and this indicating a notable increase. When we observe the last 5 years’ land grabbing magnitude it directly shows direct effect of the war which open door to illegal land grabbing. Totally from 2007 E.C. up to 2017 E.C. a total of 294.87-hectare land which account to 0.91% of Mekelle’s land is illegally grabbed. This alarmingly increase of land grabbing will significantly impact social, culture and economy of society and also affect the structural and urban design, hinder planned development of Mekelle city. The finding of this study demonstrates that the land grabbing of Mekelle city due to weak governance, corruption, legal loopholes, unfair policy and economic interests. Therefore, policy makers and other related sectors should work in strengthen legal and institutional framework, providing a policy that protect land rights, promote equitable urban development and ensure sustainable resource use.