Investigating pressures upon urban planners in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, one of the least urbanized and fastest-urbanizing nations in sub-Saharan Africa, has experienced rapid urban growth, but political pressures on urban planners have exacerbated urban problems. This study explores political pressures on urban planners in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was applied to investigate the pressures upon urban land use planning deeds at the Regional Urban Planning Institute of the region. 35 respondents from the head office, 21 respondents from Bahir Dar, 13 respondents from Gondar, 11 respondents from Debre Markos, 7 respondents from Dessie, and 6 respondents from Debre Birhan were taken. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, key informant interviews, and Henry Garrett's ranking technique. The study revealed that service land use was of utmost pressure in planning and implementation. Comprehensive know-how of the facts, real needs, problems, and views of professional autonomy in performing one's duty is vital. Political pressures on urban planners were common and unavoidable in developing countries, particularly in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The study concluded that planners should not suffer from a lack of professional autonomy and should be objective in their analysis and policy recommendations, and it suggested further research on the lesson. • Service land use was under most pressure in planning and implementation. • Religious land use functions were allocated through rezoning requests. • Urban planners cannot allocate religious land use. • Politically appointed city and regional management can influence religious and related uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]