Assessment of urban land administration practices in mehalmeda town, north shewa zone anrs, Ethiopia

Urban land administration is a critical aspect of urban development, particularly in developing countries. This study evaluates urban land administration practices in MehalMeda Town, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, using a mixed-methods approach. Document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and a survey of households and landowners were conducted to identify challenges and strengths of the current system. The study found that the urban land administration system in MehalMeda Town faces numerous challenges, including weak legal and regulatory frameworks, inadequate institutional capacity, and lack of public participation. The study also identified some strengths, such as the presence of local land use plans and some efforts to implement participatory approaches. However, these strengths are not adequately leveraged due to the existing challenges. The study recommends various measures to improve urban land administration in the study area, such as strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, enhancing institutional capacity, and promoting public participation. The findings have broader implications for urban land administration in Ethiopia and other developing countries, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and land market dynamics.The study contributes to the literature on land administration by identifying the challenges and strengths of the urban land administration system and proposing practical measures to enhance it. It also highlights the importance of improving land administration practices to ensure the efficient and equitable use of urban land, which is crucial for sustainable urban development.