Urban Growth in Ethiopia, 1887-1974: From the Foundation of Finfinnee to the Demise of the First Imperial Era

Getahun Benti. 2017. Urban Growth in Ethiopia, 1887-1974: From the Foundation of Finfinnee to the Demise of the First Imperial Era. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. xviii + 213 pp.

Getahun Benti's book is so far one of the major research outputs published on the history of urbanism and urban growth in Ethiopia. The focus of the book is examining the southward expansion of imperial rule in the nineteenth century and the subsequent dynamics of urbanization and urban growth in Ethiopia 1887-1974 from the foundation of Finifinnee to the demise of imperial authority. The author's methodological sophistication deserves appreciation. Getahun extensively exploited various sources to substantiate his analysis. The lucidity and beauty of its language and neatness to address complex issues is quite attractive and a joy to read. In his introduction section Getahun deeply articulated worldwide state of affairs on the origin of urbanization. The author has an opinion that rural urban mutual reinforcement is a backbone for urban life improvement.

In chapter two of the book the author attempted to characterize urban growth in Ethiopia after the establishment of Finifinnee...