Sustainability and Challenges of Urban Green Infrastructure Development and Management: The case of Adama City, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urban green infrastructure (UGI) plays a crucial role in improving the environmental, economic, and social aspects of cities. However, cities and towns of developing countries, including Ethiopia in general and the study city are not properly making and implementing. In addition, the existing interventions are not supported by metrical evidence-based research. Therefore, this study focused on the sustainability of UGI development and management in Adama City. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative approach to achieve its objectives. It gathered socio-spatial data from multiple sources and employed various techniques and tools for analysis. The research mapped and calculated the status of UGI (Urban Green Infrastructure) from 1991 to 2021 using city land use data available in ArcMap format. Additionally, socioeconomic data were collected from 372 households through a structured questionnaire, and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The GIS-based analysis result revealed that UGI status over the past three structural plan periods was below the standard set for modern cities, as evidenced by a significant decline (by 63.07%) in UGI and in conversely, built-up areas expanded dramatically (by 574.91%). Green infrastructure coverage found below the national standard that covers only 5.6% of the total area of the city. The existing green infrastructure components per capita were also found to be 8.09 m2 , which is below the standard (15m2 ) set for cities. In relation to this, the majority of survey respondents reported a lack of amenities such as playgrounds (87.1%), sports fields (95.2%), or forests (78.2%), where all the survey respondents mentioned the amenities deficit is much below the standards set for modern cities. The key challenges to implementing sustainable urban green infrastructure include a lack of clear implementation strategies, insufficient prioritization and attention from local administration, limited community participation, lack of transparency, poor connectivity and integration among existing urban infrastructure, lack of public awareness, inadequate resources to implement the scanty plan, ineffective long-term management and maintenance plans, poor cooperation among different departments and offices, and difficulties in resource mobilization and policy enforcement. Therefore, to address these issues, decision-makers should take appropriate measures to improve the integration, accessibility, transparency, community involvement, and overall governance of urban green infrastructure development and management so as to ensure the long-term sustainability of greenery in the city
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Keywords
Sustainability, Green infrastructure, Development, Management