Heyaw Terefe (Dr.)Girma, Yared2019-08-062023-11-082019-08-062023-11-082019-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/18735A dissertation submitted to the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental PlanningUrban green infrastructure components have gradually become an integral part of urban development strategies due to their important role in providing space for multiple ecosystem services for human well-being. Even though they have multiple benefits, they are under strong pressure particularly in rapidly developing cities of sub-Saharan Africa where relatively little is known about their development and management system. Therefore, this study attempts to evaluate the planning, implementation and management challenges of urban green infrastructure components and to provide recommendations that can address the challenges in the emerging towns of Oromia special zone surrounding Finfinne. The study used a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and techniques to achieve the intended objectives. The finding of the study shows that an average per capita urban green infrastructure component in Sululta, Sebeta and Legetafo towns is found to be 2.66 m2, 0.9 m2 and 2.17 m2 per person, respectively. Results also indicated that 71.9%, 67.9% and 73.7% of respondents in Legetafo, Sebeta and Sululta towns, respectively, do not have any urban green infrastructure component in their neighborhood while very few respondents mentioned playgrounds and sport fields. The LULC change result revealed that urban green infrastructure component has decreased by 51.8%, 31.9%, and 37.5% between the year 2003-2016 in Sebeta, Sululta and Legetafo towns, respectively. The drivers for the change were physical expansion of the built-up area, high land value, laxity in the enforcement of planning regulations, corruption, lack of coordination and limited awareness of the community about the benefits of green infrastructure components. Regarding the evaluation of the planning documents, this study identified that the principles of urban green infrastructure planning are slightly presented in the documents. At the same time, the result revealed that the existing green infrastructure components provide mono-functional services and their integration with grey structure is limited. Furthermore, result shows that issues related to connectivity of green infrastructure components are not recognized in planning documents and practices. Lack of awareness, financial constraints, insufficient professional knowledge, inadequate legal framework, absence of collaboration and poor public involvement are the most influential factors hindering the integration of urban green infrastructure planning principles into urban development. Overall, the management systems of the urban green infrastructure components have also been challenged by the above-mentioned constraints. Therefore, advanced development in budget allocation, capacity building, legal framework, awareness creation and stakeholder’s involvement are needed to promote sustainable urban green infrastructure development and management systemenGreen infrastructure, connectivitycomponentplanningimplementationmulti-functionalityparticipationconnectivityThesis