PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF DECENTRALIZED URBAN LAND DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES: IN OROMIA REGIONAL STATE PARTICULARLY IN SABETA TOWN,

Abstract

Land-use planning is a complex process involving development of a land-use to include a statement of land-use issues, goals, and objectives; summary of data collection and analysis; land-classification map; and report describing and indicating appropriate development in areas of special environmental concern. Because land use decisions are critical determinants of environmental quality it is imperative that land use controls be effectively practiced to combat such problems as pollution, the occupation of hazard-prone areas, the degradation of wetlands and other coastal resources, and the loss of open space and other cultural resources. The rapidly increasing of private investors in developing countries has raised the demand of urban serviced land for investment purposes. On the contrary the delivery procedures of urban land for investment purposes are cumbersome and longtime taking that discourages investors from investing in Sabeta town. Hence, this study assessed the formal urban land delivery system for investment purposes in the town. Also the study focused on urban land delivery procedures, stakeholders involved in urban land delivery system, and challenges that faced in the formal urban land delivery system for investment purposes. Since the research assesses the existing situation of decentralized urban land delivery system for investment purposes in the town, descriptive research design was employed in this study. To draw a sample of the study simple random sampling was applied to select 234 private investors while purposive sampling technique was employed to select 27 government officials. Empirical data was collected using both primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was use to gather data from private investors; in depth interview was done with governmental officials; and observation was employed to gather data from the field through non participant observation. Data collected from different sources was presented in the form of tables, photo, and charts. The results show that formal urban land delivery system for investment purpose is not encouraging private investors in Sabeta town. Challenges of formal urban land delivery system for investment purposes are affect the socio-economic development of the town. Finally, to address these challenges and solve the problems the suggested responses are forwarded to the town administration, regional government, policy makers, concerned bodies and stakeholders in order to prepare manageable procedures, examine state-wide role of stakeholders, and provide strategies to reduce challenges of urban land delivery system for investment uses.