Bio
Mefekir Woldegebriel Tessema is a Lecturer of Geography and Environmental Studies at Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning at Addis Ababa University. His research focuses on the socioeconomic impacts of rural-urban migration and urban expansion on surrounding peasant lands, with published works including studies on Sodo town and Areka Town in the SNNPR region. With an h-index of 4 and over 30 citations, his contributions to geography and environmental studies are recognised through his membership in academic review boards and his work as a journal reviewer. He holds an M.A. in Geography and Environmental Studies and is actively involved in research projects addressing pressing urban and environmental challenges in Ethiopia.
Educational Journey
Wolaita Sodo University
Ph.D candiate in Geography and Enviromental Studies • Geography and Enviromental Studies
2024M.A
Experience
Assistant Professor in Wolaita sodo University Department of Geography and Environmental studies
1981 - PresentResearch
Impact of Urban Expansion on Surrounding Peasant Land the Case of Boloso Sore Woreda, Areka Town, SNNPR, Ethiopia
The main objective of the study was to assess the impact of urban expansion on surrounding peasant land in Areka town. The data were obtained from 68 randomly selected respondents by using questionnaires and interview from municipality office workers other illiterate indigenous peoples of the town as well as from secondary sources were also included. To analysis the collected data were edited, tabulated, percentage and finally descriptive method was employed. The result revealed that there are many factors causing urban expansion to surrounding peasant land: those are establishment of market, infrastructure, rural to urban migration and positive consequences of urban expansion. Such as advance in communication, eclectic power, health and education facilities and also negative consequences of urban expansion such as loss of agricultural land, expansions of crimes, urban pollution and housing problems and lastly the pattern of urban expansion are the major ones. To regulate the impacts of urban expansion that found in the town the participation of government and dwellers of the town are very necessary .
Assessing Socio-Econmic Impect of Rural-Urban Migration in Sodo town, SNNPR, Etiopia;
Migration is a form of geographical mobility between one geographical units (origin) to a certain destination generally involving a change of residence from a place to the place of arrival (destination). It involves a permanent or temporary change of residence from one neighborhood settlement (Administrative Unit); this process is also out migration. Moving to a particular location is defined as immigration (Kebede, 1994). In the p ast years rural to urban migration in developed countries grew during the time of industrialization, when more mechanized farming needed few agricultural workers in the rural area and when there was demand for labor in urban based industries. But this is not always the case in developing countries are more a function of rural problems than the urban attractions (Kenfe, 2001:46).
