Implication of Urban Planning on the Provision of Infrastructure in Selected Towns of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was to assess the importance of urban planning in the provision of infrastructure in selected towns in Oromia region. To do so, the methodology employed was descriptive & explanatory research design. Both qualitative & quantitative research approaches were followed. To conduct this study, primary and secondary data were collected. The primary data were collected from 344 households and 151 experts of the towns proportionally. The sample size of households was determined by the rule of thumb. The tools used were questionnaires, interview, focus group discussion, observation, document review and GPS. Analyses were done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The finding of the study revealed that for the full implementation of the structural plan as the required standard there still need much to work in the towns. With regard to the status of infrastructure in the towns, some infrastructures are relatively at better condition while some of them need attention. The research identified the major challenges in the provision of infrastructure in accordance to the structural plans. Accordingly, the major challenges were financial bottleneck, lack of integration and composition, technical capacity, administrative problems, low commitment, weak stakeholders’ participation, lack of regular monitoring and evaluation and low top management support. Thus, the research recommended that strengthening integration of sectors, assigning the right persons at right places, promoting stakeholders’ participation, enhancing top management support, conducting frequent monitoring & maintaining the infrastructures at regular basis.