Rethinking institutional coordination as a transformational issue in providing and administering urban land for housing development in Ethiopia: Evidence from Bahir Dar metropolitan city

Institutional coordination and robust land administration are essential to ensuring sustainable land delivery and housing development in fast-growing cities. It also benefits urban dwellers, particularly low-income groups and homeless individuals. Despite efforts, Ethiopia’s metropolitan areas have institutional coordination challenges. The horizontal and vertical coordination between land administration and the government heavily influences the output of housing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of existing institutional coordination in urban land management to support effective land supply for residential purposes. The institution’s current and desired levels of coordination reveal a significant lack of vertical and horizontal coordination. In order to meet the study’s objectives, a mixed methodology was used, combining primary and secondary sources. The data collection process utilised rigorous methods like questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and desk reviews to ensure accuracy and reliability for analysis and further decision-making. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that urban land administration institutions lack adequate vertical and peer coordination, severely hindering their ability to deliver land for housing development efficiently and effectively. Thus, urban and regional governments must rethink and restructure the current institutions for urban land administration, paving the way for a more efficient and effective system. This restructuring should incorporate robust vertical and horizontal coordination and address identified performance capability deficiencies. Ultimately, the study has provided a clear exit strategy that will contribute to the establishment of effective and efficient land administration functions. The study’s findings have significant implications for future urban land administration in Ethiopia and similar urban locations worldwide.