Optimization of Underutilized Public Sanitation Unit, the Case of Wurerber, South-East Ethiopia
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Date
2019-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and find the architectural values, which use for
optimization of Public Sanitation Unit (PSU). The PSU project, in this thesis, was designed
and constructed in Wurerber Kebele, in south-east Ethiopia. The unit has been serving the
community since 2017. The unit has mainly two functions, which are showering and
laundry. The general aim of the PSU project was an attempt to construct a water and
sanitation infrastructure unit, which can be used as a focal point and a catalyst for activating
rural-urban space. Based on an onsite observation, the constructed shower and laundry
unit utilization rate, performance, and functionality have low outcomes. This was the core
problem of this thesis, which initiates the optimization research on the unit. Therefore, this
thesis tries to investigate and find the existing situations and the contributing factors for
the reduced utilization rate of the PSU. To obtain an optimized architectural PSU design
mixed descriptive type of research method has used in the research. The first part of the
research is, defining underutilization and factors affecting PSU, evaluating the existing rate
of utilization of the sanitation unit, and finding the opportunities for improvements. In the
second part an observational approach for collecting primary data through onsite field
observation, questionnaire survey, and interviews are conducted. Besides, Secondary data
were collected from published and unpublished works of literature; meanwhile, the
research tries to claim a valid statement from triangulating these mixed methods. The third
part considers case studies from different sanitation practices to explore publicly accepted
sanitation unit trends. The fourth part has the result and finding from the analysis that
articulates the problem, which is related to the topological and geometrical aspects of the
unit. The functional, technical, behavioral and managerial values are found as the pillars to
affect the underutilization of PSU in Wurerber Kebele. Finally, the research finds and
concludes an architectural intervention based on the four values is certain to obtain an
optimal architectural design. Because underrating these values the PSU could bring adverse
impact on the underutilization of the unit. Optimization of these values will increase the
usage and at the same time the public acceptance of the PSU.
Keywords: Public sanitation unit (PSU), Optimization, Values, Rate, Underutilization
Description
Keywords
Public sanitation unit (PSU),, Optimization,, Values,, Rate,, Underutilization