Causes.and Effects of Poor Inter Sectoral Linkage in Infrastructure Development Works: The Case of Road and Light Rail Construction Projects in Addis Ababa
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Sectoral linkage in urban infrastructure development and serv ice provi sion plays an impottant
role in determining the urban economic and physical development and has indispensible role in
the livelihood of urban dwellers, efficiency and effectiveness of serv ice providers and
development of the nation at large. However, Ethiopian cities/town administrations and policy
makers pay meager attention to the issue in their strategy and urban development policy pattly
due to the lack of sufficient research works that clearly show the importance of coordination in
urban infrastructure development works and the possible effects of uncoordinated activities to
the'respective institutions, urban dwellers and the country at large.
This research work looked in to the process of urban infrastructure development works to
identify the dimensions and root causes for the absence of inter secto ral integration between
urban serv ice providers and in vest igate the possible economic, social, and environmental effects
of the problem with a particular emphasis on se lected light rai I and road development projects in
Addis Ababa.
To achieve the above objective, the study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology
and relevant data for the study were gathered from primary as well as secondary sources through
questionnaires, interviews, field observation and document reviews. The collected is analyzed
using exploratory, descriptive as well as narrative methodological approach.
The research found out that the institutional and administrative structure and institutions level of
accountability coupled with the various sources of budget as factors contributing to the poor inter
sectoral integration. Besides, lack of communication during design preparations and common
standards and guidelines to all service providers is also identified as one of the root causes.
It was also realized that, the reactive nature of the legal procedures and lack of clearly stated
rules and regulations which suggest coordination among service providers along with weak
enforcement has greatly contributed to the problem under review.
Moreover, findings also confirmed that there is st ill loose communication during implementation
due to poor utility database, lack of institutions capacity, interest and commitment, absence of
responsible body to do the job and lack of long term plan.
The study has also identified the major economic, social and environmental effects of poor
sectoral coordination on local residents, serv ice providers and the nation at large. The economic
effects on service providers are characterized by property damages, high cost of compensation,
cost of carrying out repairs and relocation s, cost for any temporary serv ice arrangements
necessary, and the possible loss of "product" and revenue reduction during serv ice interruptions.
The identified effects on utility customers include, frequent service interruption s, business may
be stopped and data lost, and for industrial properties production may be halted and machinery
damaged, low productivity, decrease in number of customers, low profit etc. among the social
effects of the problem, lost time, business opportunities and additional fuel consumption,
spoil ing of food because of refrigeration failure, injuries and traffic accidents, traffic congestion,
safety hazards and lack of transportation access were identified by the study. As per the
environmental effects of the problem, contamination of water supply, sewage backing up,
flooding and storm water inundation, noise pollution, air pollution, and dust induced lung
diseases are identified by the study.
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Keywords
Effects of Poor Inter Sectoral Linkage