Urbanity In Ethiopia

The main aim of this paper is to describe the main causative factors for the evolution of urbanity in Ethiopia. Accordingly, it is found that there is not one source of urbanity in Ethiopia. In general, factors related to hydraulic such as water (physical), trade requirements, political (administrative), transport, religious, defense are considered to be the principal causative factors for the creation of cities in Ethiopia. The main evidences to support these theories in the urban development came from studies and experiences especially prior to the industrial revolution. It might be argued that these factors played big role in the creation of urbanity. However, these views ignore the very important dimensions of cause-effect complementary

But before discussing on the various causative factors for the emergence of cities in Ethiopia, it is better to have a concept of the term city.

The term city is an elusive concept with no common definition and understanding. In line with this Childe stated that “the concept of ‘city’ is notoriously hard to define” (Childe 2016, 32). One can of course imagine that urban area commonly refers to both towns and cities. For statistical and census purposes of Ethiopia, two principal criteria are commonly used to define urban area in which a city is a part. These are the minimum threshold population size of 2000 and above, and functions of urban areas. Accordingly a city is a place where people crowded together in greatest number and density, intricate by networks of communications as well as transport centers, the assembly and break of bulk points, main centers of political activities, and the major financial nodes. It is in this respect that the concept of city and urbanity used in

This is to say that, many urban areas in Ethiopia combine two or more causative factors for their emergency. For example, Yirgalem certainly explained that, for security and religious purposes, Ethiopians usually locate their settlements on the high ground. As a symbol of reflection churches in Ethiopia are built on higher ground while settlements occupy the lower ground (Yirgalem 2008, 69). Additionally, Guta Sarnessa explained that Woldia was built on the top of Gebrael Mountain because it was strategically important for military and administrative purposes (Guta