Urban Expansion and Land-use Changes: Impacts on Peri-urban Livelihoods in Tulu Bolo Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Rapid urbanization is reshaping peri-urban landscapes worldwide, with significant implications for agricultural lands and local livelihoods. This study investigates the drivers and consequences of physical urban expansion and land-use changes in Tulu Bolo town, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Employing a descriptive design with mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches, data were collected from 166 households using semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, field observations and focus group discussions, supplemented by secondary sources. Results reveal that urban growth has led to substantial loss of farmland and financial, natural, physical and human assets among peripheral farming communities. The spatial analysis results showed that Tulu Bolo town’s urban built-up environment rapidly altered, negatively affecting the area coverage of farmland and grassland. In this regard, the area covered by built-up space expanded by 19.2%, while that of farmland and grassland decreased by 20.7% between 2002 and 2026. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with urban development and felt marginalized in the planning process. The study underscores the urgent need for inclusive urban governance that integrates stakeholders, particularly farmers, into planning decisions and establishes clear policies for land expropriation and compensation. By addressing these challenges, local authorities can promote sustainable urban expansion while safeguarding the livelihoods and well-being of affected communities.