The practices of an integrated infrastructure planning in Ethiopian metropolitan cities, the case of Addis Ababa and Sheger cities

The practices of an integrated infrastructure planning in Ethiopian metropolitan cities, the case of Addis Ababa and Sheger cities | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The practices of an integrated infrastructure planning in Ethiopian metropolitan cities, the case of Addis Ababa and Sheger cities Geremew Worku, Dagnachew Adugna This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract When properly planned and managed, urbanization can offer improved access to social amenities and job possibilities. On the other hand, disjointed approaches to infrastructure investment and development could lead to unsustainable urban sprawl, traffic jams, poor public service delivery, environmental degradation, inefficiencies, and inequality. Therefore developing infrastructure strategically is necessary to meet the changing needs of expanding metropolitan areas. Purposive sampling was employed in the study to implement a mixed-methods strategy for explanatory and descriptive research designs. The research attempts to identify possibilities, risks, flaws, and strengths in the current integrated infrastructure planning system by a thorough examination of policy frameworks, stakeholder involvement procedures, and implementation techniques. The results of this study will provide suggestions for improving cooperation, allocating resources as efficiently as possible, and utilizing technological advancements to promote resilient and inclusive urban settings. In creating resilient and inclusive cities, it also emphasizes the significance of coordinated efforts among stakeholders, efficient use of technology, and sustainable development principles. By looking at this, the study adds to the conversation about integrated infrastructure planning and provides information to stakeholders, legislators, and urban planners who are involved in determining the future of Ethiopian and other metropolitan regions. Urban Studies integrated infrastructure planning metropolitan cities Addis ababa Sheger urban development sustainable cities stakeholder collaboration transport waste Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 1. Introduction Currently, over half of the world's population resides in cities (Cohen, 2006 ; Kourtit et al., 2013 ) ), and projections indicate that by 2050, 68 percent of the world's population will reside in urban areas (Koroso et al., 2021 ). This rapid increase will take place mainly in developing countries (Palanivel, 2017 ). Africa and Asia, both still less urbanized than other regions, will have the fastest urban growth rates (Palanivel, 2017 ) and (Cohen, 2004 ; Leeson, 2018 ; Yuen & Kumssa, 2010 ). By 2050, projections indicate that Africa's urban population will increase from 40 percent to 56 percent, and Asia's from 48 percent to 64 percent (Palanivel, 2017 ). This raising population resulted in requiring more integrated urban infrastructure. According to (Sharma et al., 2011 ) argument, rapid and often unplanned urbanization can pose four significant risks in developing countries. The article mentions increased social instability, risks to important infrastructure, possible shortages of water and other resources, and the possibility of a catastrophic spread of disease were among the issues listed in the article (Sharma et al., 2011 ). On the other hand, urbanization can provide better access to social amenities and employment opportunities (Ulfah, 2021 ) when properly planned and managed (Kriswandanu et al., 2023 ) and (Locke & Henley, 2016 ). However, fragmented approaches to development and infrastructure investment may result in congestion, inadequate provision of public services, environmental degradation, inefficiencies, inequalities, unsustainable urban sprawl, and health problems (Kriswandanu et al., 2023 ; Locke & Henley, 2016 ). Furthermore, rapid urbanization exacerbates challenges related to traffic congestion, air pollution, inadequate housing, and insufficient access to basic services (Kriswandanu et al., 2023 ; Locke & Henley, 2016 ), (Ulfah, 2021 ) and (Martínez-Zarzoso & Maruotti, 2011 ). Similarly the urbanization process in Ethiopia resulted suffering from deficits in housing, infrastructure, and services; unemployment and inequality; and increasing homelessness (Mezgebo, 2020 ; Tanku & Woldetensae, 2023 ). Ethiopia is experiencing rapid urbanization, particularly in its major metropolitan areas such as Addis Ababa and Sheger (Schmidt et al., 2018 ). The country's urban population to double by 2050, putting immense pressure on existing infrastructure and services (Abraha et al., 2022 ). This urban growth presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring effective planning and management to ensure sustainable development and improve the quality of life for urban residents. Addis Ababa, as the capital city, serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Ethiopia (Weldeghebrael, 2021 ). Its population has been steadily increasing, leading to greater demand for housing, transportation, water, sanitation, and other essential services (Weldeghebrael, 2021 ). Similarly, Sheger, also known as the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, encompasses several satellite cities and towns that are experiencing significant population growth and urban expansion. Despite ongoing efforts to address integrated infrastructure needs, there are concerns about the effectiveness of integrated infrastructure planning and collaboration between Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities. Fragmented approaches to development and infrastructure investment could lead to inefficiencies, inequality, and unsustainable urban expansion (Stebek, 2016 ). Integrated infrastructure planning offers a holistic approach to addressing these challenges by promoting coordination among various sectors and stakeholders. Cross-sectoral infrastructure integration has received a lot of attention in the planning community (Kennedy & Sood, 2016 ; Narayan et al., 2021 ); (Steenmans, 2017 ), where “infrastructure integration is the resurgent watchword as a key strategy for sustainable urbanism” (Steenmans, 2017 ). By considering the interconnectedness of different infrastructure systems and urban development initiatives, integrated urban infrastructure planning aims to optimize resource allocation, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable urban growth (Habitat, 2013b ). However, achieving effective integration requires strong governance structures, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and participatory decision-making processes Currently, Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities are implementing an integrated infrastructure planning system. For instance, the Addis Ababa city bus extends its reach to connect key areas within Addis Ababa and Sheger city. The rated approach to public transportation aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility, and enhance mobility for residents and commuters traveling between the two cities. The road network developments focus on enhancing connectivity for passenger and freight transportation, supporting economic activities, and facilitating smoother travel between the two urban centers.. There are also efforts underway to enhance water supply infrastructure, including the expansion of water treatment plants and distribution networks, ensuring reliable access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, water distribution networks, wastewater treatment, parks, green spaces, and urban forestry initiatives that are integrated into urban planning for residents. However, inadequate financial resources, rapid urbanization and population growth, the demand for services such as transportation, water supply, sanitation, and housing, as well as a lack of expertise, technological infrastructure, and maintenance capabilities, can strain existing infrastructure capacity between the two cities. Even if there are a lot of complicated rules, rules that are hard to understand, and areas where different governments have power at the same time, political stability, good government, the economy, and public support can all make planning and building infrastructure in the study areas less effective. Therefore, the aim of this article is to create cohesive, sustainable, and well-connected urban environments that benefit the public across both metropolitan regions. 2. Materials and method 2.1 Study area Addis Ababa, as Ethiopia's capital city, serves as its political, economic, and cultural hub (Weldeghebrael, 2021 )and (Erena et al., 2017 ). Rapid population growth has created opportunities for economic development in the developing world, but it has also created social, environmental, and cultural challenges, leading to a mismatch between the demand and the supply of services (Weldeghebrael, 2021 ). It is geographically located in the heart of the nation, at 9o2’N latitude and 38o45’E longitude (Erena et al., 2017 ). Its average altitude is 2,400 meters above sea level, with the highest elevations at Entoto Hill to the north reaching 3,200 meters (Erena et al., 2017 ). This makes Addis Ababa one of the highest-altitude capital cities in the world (Erena et al., 2017 ). Understanding the dynamics of urbanization and infrastructure development in Addis Ababa is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of integrated planning efforts. Its social and physical infrastructure has increased quantitatively in the past few decades, but it is still in need of significant improvement in terms of quality and distribution (Erena et al., 2017 ). The government's strategies behind its extensive urban investments, which integrate the improvement of the urban environment with the creation of economic opportunities, especially for urban youth, have shown some promising results (Erena et al., 2017 ). However, we need to evaluate, modify, or replace the policies and strategies based on their contribution to alleviating the chronic problems of the city (Erena et al., 2017 ). Sheger, like the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, consists of several satellite cities and towns that surround the capital. These towns include Sebeta, Bishoftu, and Burayu, among others. Sheger is experiencing significant population growth and urban expansion, leading to increased pressure on infrastructure and services. Examining the integration of planning processes and infrastructure investments across the Sheger Metropolitan Area provides insights into regional development dynamics and interdependencies. Sheger City, one of Oromia National Regional State's late-established cities, consists of 12 sub-cities and towns. We purposefully selected three of these sub-cities, namely Burayu, Sebeta/Furi, and Galan, as case study sites (Fig. 1 ). We selected these cities because they are the economic powerhouses in Ethiopia and Oromia regions, are actively expanding their gray infrastructure to support the economy, and are experiencing rapid population growth, which is placing significant pressure on green spaces. 2.2 Research Design and Approach The study utilized a mixed-methods approach combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the practice of integrated infrastructure planning in city regions (Creswell & Clark, 2017 ). Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used to analyze the practice of integrated urban infrastructure in the study areas (Etefa, 2023 ; Pahl-Wostl et al., 2011 ; Veal, 2017 ). Furthermore, the study used purposive sampling to select case study areas on three different cases, namely transport and road networks, sewerage and drainage systems, and solid waste management. 2.3 Data Types and sources We used questionnaires, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs), and document analysis as data sources to collect both primary and secondary data in the study areas. We collected primary data through surveys (KII) and FGDs. We extracted secondary data from research findings, books, review articles, published and unpublished reports, and field observation. 2.4 Sampling techniques and determining sample size We selected purposeful sampling techniques for surveys (KII) and FGDs based on their availability and accessibility, especially when targeting specific groups or populations. We selected 51 experts from five sectors based on their experience and educational level. This helps to provide sufficient information about the integrated infrastructure planning in the study areas shown in Tables 1 and 2. According to (Badiee et al., 2012 ) the number of participants in the FGD session was 40. For fair representation, 10 participants participated in each case study area. 2.5 Data Analyses We edited, coded, classified, and encoded all the gathered data into a computer for analysis using Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 22 software. We analyzed and presented the qualitative data in a non-numerical form. We first transcribed these into text, and then categorized them based on the frequency of ideas. We used each coded response category as a variable in SPSS for subsequent statistical analyses. 2.6 Data Presentation Presentations of the analyzed data include tables, graphs, charts, and percentages. Additionally, we have integrated GIS and CAD figures along with field surveys. 3. Results and discussions 3.1 Sewerage system A sizable majority of respondents (85.7%) in the study areas indicated that there was no integrated sewerage plan disposal site between the two cities under study, for a variety of reasons. Particularly, (24%) pointed to a lack of agreement between the cities; (13.2%) mentioned disagreements on boundaries; (20%) highlighted the lack of a compensation mechanism; and a substantial (42.9%) emphasized the lack of a legal framework. Despite the previous literature's emphasis on the value of institutional coordination and collaborative governance (Biddle & Koontz, 2014 ; Frankowski, 2019 ; Koontz & Thomas, 2021 ); the lack of an integrated sewerage plan disposal site reflects challenges in collaborative governance and institutional coordination between the cities. This emphasized the importance of legal frameworks and governance structures in shaping urban infrastructure (Ansell & Gash, 2008 ). The absence of a common sewage disposal site shows missed opportunities for cost-effective infrastructure sharing, environmental sustainability, and public health improvement. It underscored the need for enhanced inter-municipal cooperation, updated regulatory frameworks, and inclusive planning processes. These findings could explore strategies for overcoming barriers to common infrastructure development. This may involve establishing collaborative mechanisms such as joint agreements, public-private partnerships, or regional authorities tasked with infrastructure planning and management. Additionally, addressing legal and regulatory gaps requires a multi-stakeholder approach from different actors, which can facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building in infrastructure governance. According to the study, 30.9% stated that there is a common disposal area, while 69.1% stated that there is no such common disposal site. The findings indicate that there are no common sewage disposal sites in the cities. These highlight a significant gap in developing integrated sewerage planning and indicate limited efforts by the cities to have a common disposal site. Furthermore, these findings indicate a lack of collaborative infrastructure planning and governance between the studied cities. Despite document reviews and interviews confirming the separate development of different policy documents and legal frameworks in the study areas, a lack of common practices persists. Thus, the findings emphasized the importance of legal frameworks, agreements, and coordination mechanisms in facilitating common infrastructure development. It also points out that, from a governance perspective, the lack of a legal framework and collaborative agreements suggests the need for enhanced inter-municipal cooperation, regulatory reforms, and capacity-building initiatives. The findings indicated that creating joint committees or task groups for sewerage infrastructure development, encouraging communication and consensus-building among stakeholders, and utilizing public-private partnerships are the key solutions for the study areas. This may involve creating a dedicated institute, committee, or task force with a mandate to facilitate collaboration, resolve conflicts, and promote collective decision-making. 3.2 Drainage system When asked whether the cities have common storm water master plan, 17.4 percent of respondents indicated that cities have a common water master plan. While 82.6 percent of respondents stated that cities do not have a common water master plan, regarding strategies for flood protection in lower reaches, 16 percent of respondents reported the existence of strategies to protect people in lower reaches from floods. And 81.3 percent of respondents stated that there were no strategies in place to protect people in lower reaches from floods. Lack of a common storm water master plan in cities can lead to several issues, such as flooding, water pollution, and inefficient water usage (Putri et al., 2023 ; Qi & Barclay, 2021 ). The absence of strategies for flood protection in the lower reaches highlighted potential vulnerabilities in urban planning and disaster management. Cities without a common storm water master plan may face increased risks of urban flooding and environmental degradation. The lack of such systems could also hinder sustainable water resource management efforts. The absence of strategies for protecting people in lower reaches from floods indicates a potential gap in disaster preparedness and response. Vulnerable populations living in flood-prone areas may face heightened risks without adequate protection measures. The findings suggest a need for policy makers to prioritize the development of integrated storm water master plan in the study areas. The lack of strategies for flood protection raises concerns about the resilience of urban infrastructure and the safety of vulnerable communities. Regarding coordination of storm water drainage master plan, (26%) of respondents indicated that the storm water drainage master plan was coordinated between the cities. (74%) of respondents stated that there was no coordination of the storm water drainage master plan with surrounding cities. Lack of coordination in storm water drainage plans can lead to inefficiencies, increased flood risks, and water quality issues (Adisu & Hailemikael, 2017 ). The lack of coordination in storm water drainage plans between the cities suggests potential challenges in addressing cross-border water management issues. Collaboration among municipal authorities, regional bodies, and stakeholders is vital to ensuring coordinated storm water drainage planning across city boundaries. Mechanisms such as joint infrastructure projects, data sharing, and policy alignment can facilitate effective coordination in storm water planning. 51% of respondents in a survey evaluating attempts to implement an integrated approach to physical infrastructure in the study areas responded "yes," suggesting that such efforts are still underway. However, 48.9% of respondents said "no," indicating that a sizable majority of respondents might not think highly of such integrated techniques. The goal of constructing physical infrastructure in cities through an integrated strategy aligned with the concept of (Gangwar et al.; Kumari & Raghubanshi, 2023 ), who highlighted the necessity of coordinated and synergistic planning across many infrastructure sectors. This demonstrated the value of using integrated strategies to solve problems with the environment, society, and economy (Habitat, 2013a , 2018 ; Lambrecht & Tollin, 2017 ; Watson, 2016 ). Divergent responses to efforts to implement integrated systems reflect different priorities and problems in the development of urban infrastructure. Various factors, such as stakeholder collaboration, financial sources, and governance frameworks, influence the viability and effectiveness of integrated systems. In addition, conversations about knowledge sharing and capacity building are essential to the advancement of integrated urban infrastructure development. By exchanging best practices, assisting in inter-agency coordination, and encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, we can improve the adoption of integrated approaches. The vast majority of respondents (78.3%) said that their organization plans to coordinate with other cities and sub-cities in the future. However, (17.4%) of respondents said "no," indicating that a lesser percentage of institutions might not be prioritizing or planning to prioritize such coordinating efforts at this time. Institutions that aim to achieve coordination in the future understand the value of interdependence and teamwork in accomplishing common goals. Improved service delivery, less effort duplication, and more effective use of resources can result from institutional cooperation, innovation, learning, and resilience. Numerous institutions have established coordination goals for the future, indicating the importance and necessity of intercity collaboration. Converting these objectives into workable plans requires conversations about efficient coordination methods, lines of communication, and governance frameworks. In addition, effective institutional coordination initiatives depend heavily on developing mutual understanding, establishing trust, and coordinating priorities. Regarding the existence of rules, frameworks, or other legal circumstances that support institutional integration among stakeholders, the survey's results showed that (47.8%) of respondents said "yes." (51.2%) of respondents, on the other hand, indicated that they did not have such laws or rules in place. According to (Ansell & Gash, 2008 ) theories suggest that the presence or absence of laws and regulatory frameworks significantly influences institutional integration among stakeholders, underscoring the importance of these frameworks in fostering effective coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders (Glaeser, 2013 ). The existence or absence of rules and legal frameworks governing institutional integration impacts transparency, accountability, and cooperation. In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative activities, lower conflict, and improve coordination, regulations can encourage cooperation by giving institutions rules, guidelines, and incentives to work together toward shared goals. The availability of rules or legal frameworks for institutional integration demonstrates varying degrees of institutional support and acknowledgement for collaborative governance. Initiatives for capacity-building, stakeholder education, and awareness-raising can also enhance comprehension and adherence to regulatory frameworks. Regarding whether cities have collaborative projects through shared finance, (53.8%) of respondents said "yes," while (65.3%) said "no." Focus group discussions and interviews verified that cities do, in fact, currently have collaborative projects underway. This disparity in replies raises the possibility that respondents were unaware of or misunderstood the existence of collaboratively sponsored joint initiatives. The results emphasized how crucial it is for collaborative initiatives (Neumann et al., (Serrao-Neumann et al., 2017 ) to prioritize communication, transparency, and stakeholder involvement in order to take into account the interests and viewpoints of all parties involved, including those working on joint projects (Freeman, 2010 ). Furthermore, the results emphasized the significance of collaborative funding and partnership agreements in tackling intricate problems and accomplishing mutual objectives (Klijn, 2016 ; Klijn et al., 2020 ; Larsson, 2019 ). The results open the door for future collaborations and projects, and they have many consequences for awareness and communication, efficiency and resource optimization, trust, and teamwork. The disparity observed in survey results and the outcomes of focus groups, interviews, and discussions underscored the necessity of enhanced communication and raising awareness in cooperative projects.. In response to a question concerning a project's funding source, participants gave the following breakdown: (19.2%) identified municipal funds, (30.8%) stated special savings, and (34.6%) confirmed government loans. The diversity of funding sources indicates that a combination of internal and external channels finance these initiatives. Project finance sources are consistent with ideas that highlight how the government raises and distributes money for public projects via loan and grant programs (Musgrave, 1973 ). Government loans are a popular way for cities to raise money for development projects by financing infrastructure. The study of municipal finance theory focuses on the sources of funding for local governments, such as taxes, fees, and other kinds of income (Lin & Zhang, 2015 ; Pagano & Perry, 2008 ). Municipal money is a crucial source of funding for civic initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and service provision. Furthermore, budgeting, savings, and strategic financial planning are critical components of project funding(EF & Ehrhardt, 2013 ). These findings have implications for how cities can best allocate resources, prioritize projects based on needs, and optimize the return on investments in infrastructure and services. Specifically, diverse sources of financing for projects provide financial stability, risk mitigation, and resource allocation. The variety of financing sources sparks discussions on financial tactics, debt management, and revenue diversification for cities. We must consider factors such as interest rates, repayment schedules, and budgetary sustainability to use government loans wisely and effectively. A small percentage (3.8%) of respondents answered yes to the question of whether the topography of the cities is hindering the integration of the local city or sub-city, while a majority (57.7%) answered no. This implies that people generally do not perceive city topography as a significant barrier to the integration of local city or sub-city areas. The findings align with theories of urban planning and geographic analysis, with topography influencing settlement patterns but not necessarily hindering integration (Christaller & Baskin, 1966 ). While topographic features can influence infrastructure design and development, modern engineering practices and technology often mitigate integration challenges. often mitigate integration challenges. Aligning with the present findings (Longley et al., 2015 ) they highlight the role of spatial data analysis and visualization in understanding and addressing urban challenges to assess topographic constraints, optimize infrastructure planning, and promote integration through informed decision-making. The perception that topography does not significantly hinder the integration of local city/sub-cities areas has several implications for urban planning, infrastructure development, and spatial analysis. GIS tools and spatial analysis techniques provide valuable insights into topographic features, helping planners optimize land use, transportation networks, connectivity, accessibility, cohesion, and urban design to meet diverse topographic conditions and reduce integration barriers. The findings strongly affirmed that the role of technology, engineering innovation, and data-driven decision-making in addressing urban challenges is critical in leveraging technology to overcome topographic constraints and promote integration. 3.3 Solid waste management According to the survey, that asking to proof a common solid waste disposal site in the area, only (24%) of respondents indicated the presence of a common solid waste disposal site in the area, while a significant majority of (76%) reported the absence of such a facility. These highlighted the lack of common solid waste disposal facilities shared between the cities under study which created problems for the environment. The findings align with theories of environmental governance and sustainable development (Cox et al., 2016 ; Partelow et al., 2018 ). The absence of a common solid waste disposal site suggests challenges in coordinating waste management efforts and promoting resource efficiency across municipal boundaries. This implies that, the lack of common solid waste disposal facilities indicates inefficiencies, potential environmental impacts (Kum et al., 2005 ) and missed opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization. Furthermore, separate waste disposal systems can lead to increased transportation costs, emissions, and logistical challenges, contributing to negative environmental outcomes. These underscored the need for integrated waste planning and management strategies and collaborative solutions (Bevir, 2012 ). The findings prompt discussions on strategies for improving waste planning practices and promoting sustainable development by establishing shared solid waste disposal facilities, implementing waste-to-energy technologies, and incentivizing waste reduction and recycling initiatives. There should also be focus on the role of regulatory frameworks, public-private partnerships, and community engagement in driving sustainable waste management practices. Among the options given as the reason for the lack of a common solid waste storage area are lack of an integrated plan (34%)), lack of agreement (2%), lack of Compensation mechanism (16%)) and administrative problems (48%). These findings highlighted from many reasons significant challenges and barriers to establishing shared waste management infrastructure between the cities under study administrative issue is the major one. The survey results indicated that administrative issues and the lack of integrated planning are significant factors contributing to the absence of a common solid waste disposal site between the cities under study. The lack of an integrated plan reflects challenges in aligning priorities, resources, and decision-making processes across multilevel jurisdictions. The implications of these findings are substantial for waste management practices, environmental sustainability, and public health. The lack of a common solid waste storage area due to administrative problems and the absence of an integrated plan suggested inefficiencies, potential environmental impacts, and increased costs associated with waste disposal. Moreover, administrative challenges can lead to delays, conflicts, and suboptimal outcomes in waste management operations, exacerbating environmental risks and community concerns. The findings prompt discussions on establishing inter-municipal agreements, developing integrated waste management plans, investing in infrastructure, and enhancing administrative capacities. It should also focus on the role of technology, innovation, and public-private partnerships in improving waste management practices and promoting circular economy principles. When asked about the existence of such a plan, only 18% of respondents answered yes, while a substantial majority of 82% answered no. These findings highlighted a lack of coordinated and future-oriented planning for solid waste management infrastructure. Administrative challenges can hinder effective decision-making, resource allocation, and coordination among municipal authorities, leading to gaps in infrastructure planning and implementation. The absence of a common solid waste disposal plan indicates missed opportunities for cost-effective infrastructure sharing, resource optimization, and environmental sustainability (Taye, 2018 ; Teshome, 2021 ). Moreover, the lack of integrated planning can lead to ad-hoc solutions, inefficiencies, and challenges in meeting future waste management needs, potentially resulting in environmental degradation and public health risks (Biswas et al., 2010 ). The findings prompt discussions on strategies for improving integrated planning, governance structures, and capacity building for waste management. This may involve enhancing collaboration among municipal authorities, developing long-term waste management strategies, and leveraging technological solutions. Building institutional capacity (Partelow et al., 2018 ), fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and incorporating environmental considerations into planning processes are essential for addressing these challenges. In response to the alternative questions of who should take responsibility for joint cooperation, the mayor's committee (30%), a newly established institute (13%) and no institute represented (57%). As a majority of 57.1% indicating no specific institute represented to coordinate their joint work and is not moving for this task. This suggests a lack of a designated body or mechanism for coordinating joint efforts between the cities under study. The absence of a designated institute or committee reflects challenges in establishing effective mechanisms for inter-municipal cooperation and coordination. The findings indicated the importance of clear roles, responsibilities, and coordination structures in facilitating collaborative initiatives and addressing collective challenges. The implications of these findings indicated that, this can hinder progress in shared infrastructure development, service delivery, and addressing common issues that excel municipal boundaries. Moreover, the lack of a designated institute or committee may indicate gaps in leadership, institutional capacity, and political will to prioritize inter-city cooperation. This could lead to missed opportunities for leveraging shared resources, expertise, and funding for mutual benefit. For the question whether the cities need a new solid waste disposal sites, the survey results indicate a majority (98%) of respondents believed that cities need new solid waste disposal sites. Conversely, a small minority (2%) expressed that there is no need for additional waste storage facilities. These findings highlighted a significant perceived demand for improved integrated waste planning and management in the study areas. The need for new solid waste disposal sites can be attributed to several factors. Rapid urbanization leads to increased waste generation, putting strain on existing disposal facilities. Additionally, outdated integrated waste planning practices may not be equipped to handle modern waste streams effectively. Environmental concerns and regulatory requirements further underscored the necessity for updated waste storage facilities. These findings implied that, there is a practical need to invest in new solid waste disposal sites to meet the growing demands of the cities populations. Moreover, the development of modern waste management infrastructure aligns with sustainability goals and promotes a cleaner, healthier environment for residents (Hirpe & Yeom, 2021 ; Rahman & Alam, 2020 ). The disparity between those advocating for new waste disposal sites and those opposing them suggests a potential divide in public opinion or awareness regarding waste planning issues. It also raises questions about the adequacy of current waste management strategies and the need for public education and engagement on sustainable waste practices and the financial implications of establishing new disposal sites and the feasibility of implementing alternative waste management solutions. That being said, when asked how they intend to achieve this, they responded by expropriation through force (8%), expropriation through compensation (56%) and not knowing (32%). From this we can understand that when they need a new solid waste storage space, they have been able to confirm that the cities request the site by paying compensation for the owners. Land use theories suggest that conflicts often arise when allocating space for different purposes, such as waste disposal facilities. These aligned with recognizing the need to compensate affected communities for any inconvenience or impact. This highlights the need for fair and transparent compensation frameworks in land acquisition processes. The significant proportion of respondents who are unsure or unaware of the process underscored the importance of public education and outreach regarding urban planning and waste management initiatives. What is the impact of urban growth on this service? For the options presented, a majority of respondents (64%) identified an increase in the amount of waste as a significant impact. Additionally, a notable proportion highlighted the need for sophisticated technology (16%) and skilled manpower (6%) to manage the growing waste effectively. Regarding legal frameworks and inter-city considerations, a majority (56%) indicated that cities do take each other into account when preparing legal frameworks, potentially leveraging shared resources and awareness. The sector leaders and experts, who were interviewed, in their response to this issue, stated that Addis Ababa city has prepared in a way that brings the understanding of Sheger city, especially in the area of water resource use, environment protection and transportation. These emphasized the challenges posed by rapid urban growth, including increased waste generation and the need for advanced infrastructure and services and the importance of technology and skilled personnel to address these challenges effectively (Watson, 2009). The increase in waste generation necessitates investments in advanced technology and skilled workforce, highlighting the need for sustainable waste management strategies. The findings highlighted the complex interplay between urban growth, waste management, and inter-city cooperation. As cities expand, they face challenges in waste management that require technological advancements and skilled personnel. Collaborative approaches to legal frameworks can enhance resource sharing and best practices, leading to more efficient and sustainable urban development. The responses given to the alternative question about how cities can cooperate with each other are as follows: (48%) by working together (10%) by using resources together (20%) by planning together (14%) by exchanging experts and (6%) by sharing and establishing an institution. It can be understood from this finding that the main things that the two cities cooperate with are working together and planning together. The survey responses indicate various ways in which cities can cooperate with each other. The majority of respondents (48%) believe that cooperation is achieved by working together, while a significant portion (20%) mentioned using resources together. Planning together (14%), exchanging experts (10%) a small percentage (6%) suggested establishing an institution for cooperation. These findings can be understood collaborative governance, inter-city partnerships, and resource sharing, cooperation among multiple stakeholders, including cities and benefits of strategic alliances and shared initiatives in addressing common urban challenges. The emphasis on working and planning together suggested that cities recognize the value of coordinated efforts and shared visions in achieving common goals. The findings underscored that working and planning together are foundational elements of effective cooperation, enabling cities to align their priorities, strategies, and actions. For the question of conflict between the two cities, (52%) of respondents acknowledged the existence of a conflict with Sheger City regarding solid waste disposal. Regarding ways to cooperate with non-existent stakeholders for site protection and waste disposal, (44%) suggested dialogue, (22%) mentioned compensation, 6% proposed giving incentives, and (26%) mentioned other strategies. These findings emphasized the importance of dialogue, negotiation, and finding mutually acceptable solutions to address disputes and conflicts. Incentive structures theories underscore the role of incentives and rewards in encouraging cooperation and fostering positive behavior among stakeholders. The survey results carry implications for conflict management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable waste management practices. Recognizing and addressing conflicts related to waste disposal is crucial for effective urban governance and environmental sustainability. The findings highlighted the complexity of waste management issues and the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing conflicts. Dialogue can facilitate understanding, communication, and consensus-building among stakeholders. Compensation and incentives can provide tangible benefits and incentives for cooperation. 3.4 Transport and road network system The results of the survey show that 34.6% of participants said "yes," indicating that there are sufficient parking lots, bus terminals, and other forms of transportation to link the two cities. On the other hand, 65.4% of respondents said "no," indicating deficiencies in the infrastructure of transportation connecting the cities. Inadequate transportation infrastructure can result in traffic jams, restricted mobility choices, and decreased connectedness, which can affect business operations, cause commuter annoyance, and lower the attraction of public transportation options and overall quality of life. In addition to influencing user happiness and overall service performance, these demand a strong transportation infrastructure to facilitate mobility, accessibility, and connectivity between metropolitan areas (Cervero & Kockelman, 1997 ; Parasuraman et al., 1988 ). Mobility issues might arise for locals, commuters, and tourists going between the two cities if there are insufficient transit options. This may result in longer travel times, heavy traffic, and inefficiencies in the transportation network. The results confirmed that in order to close the gaps in transportation infrastructure and increase connectivity and mobility options, multi-stakeholder participation, budget allocation, and strategic planning are necessary According to the results, particularly (26.9%) people ranked the state and condition of the transportation infrastructure as good, (53%) as medium, and (49.2%) as terrible. These diverse viewpoints brought to light varying opinions about the quality and condition of transportation infrastructure as it exists now. Grasberg et al. (2004) assert that the assessment, management, and grading of the state of transportation infrastructure suggest varying degrees of asset management procedures, maintenance efforts, and investment priorities. Fixing infrastructure flaws can increase customer satisfaction, encourage a shift to more environmentally friendly transportation options, and raise general opinions about the transportation system. The results showed how important it is for government organizations, transportation authorities, and community stakeholders to work together to identify priority areas for improvement and carry out successful infrastructure renovations. The various rankings of the state of the transportation infrastructure highlight the difficulty in managing the system and the significance of ongoing evaluation, upkeep, and enhancement initiatives. By addressing identified weaknesses, enhancing the user experience, and prioritizing sustainable transport solutions, stakeholders can contribute to the development of a more robust, effective, and user-centered transport infrastructure system. When asked what factors influence integration, the respondents listed a variety of factors: language barriers (16.8%); administrative systems (39%); political systems (28.4%); cross-border issues (30.8%); organizational relations (27.3%); inter-organizational relationships (22.3%); economic differences (46.4%); and all of the above (79.3%). Participants in focus groups and interviews reiterated similar arguments and added other elements influencing integration. Cross-border concerns, political systems, and economic disparities highlight the intricate interplay of systems that influences integration efforts. In order to achieve shared objectives, (Ansell & Gash, 2008 ) highlighted the significance of cooperative relationships, trust, and communication within businesses. The wide range of issues highlighted the complexity of integration efforts, necessitating a multifaceted strategy that takes organizational, cultural, political, and economic concerns into account. To overcome obstacles and take advantage of possibilities, effective integration strategies should place a high priority on inclusive decision-making processes, cross-sectoral collaboration, and stakeholder involvement. By removing obstacles and promoting inclusive and long-lasting integration processes, they accounted for a variety of elements, such as cooperative governance systems, cross-sectoral collaborations, and cultural sensitivity. The survey revealed the various effects of population growth on integrated infrastructure planning. Specifically, 50% of respondents indicated increased demand for infrastructure, 48% mentioned the need for collaborative management, 58.4% highlighted the necessity of open finance, and a significant 83.1 percent acknowledged that all these impacts were possible. (Cherepovitsyn et al., 2021 ; Hannigan, 2022 ; Harper & Snowden, 2017 ; Harris & Roach, 2017 ; Schnall et al., 2009 ) argues that this aligns with the finding that 50% of respondents identified increased infrastructure demand due to population growth. As (Ansell & Gash, 2008 ) point out, the need for collaborative management (48%) among respondents reflected the recognition that effective infrastructure planning requires cooperation among diverse stakeholders. Furthermore, (Rowbottom & Locke, 2016 ) found that 58.4% of respondents highlighted the necessity of open finance, underscoring the importance of transparent financial practices in infrastructure planning to ensure efficient resource utilization. The findings implied that population growth necessitates proactive infrastructure planning to meet increased demand for transportation, housing, utilities, and public services. Failure to address this demand can lead to congestion, service shortages, and a reduced quality of life. Also, transparent financial planning promotes accountability, trust, and prudent resource allocation, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with community needs and long-term sustainability goals. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of population growth, infrastructure planning, and governance. Furthermore, discussions should focus on strategies for proactive infrastructure development, collaborative governance models, and transparent financial practices to address the impacts of population growth effectively. We list the following reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning: The reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning include (10%) hesitancy among stakeholders, (21.2%) lack of support from policymakers, (31.2%) lack of focus, and (36.9%) lack of attention. The above findings revealed that all of these elements work together to make integrated infrastructure planning difficult to accomplish. These findings support the difficulties organizations face in converting policies into workable plans and activities, often due to a lack of funding, insufficient focus, or poor coordination (Sabatier & Mazmanian, 1980 ). The results also showed how institutional structures, rules, and legal frameworks can help or hurt integrated planning initiatives (Betsill & Bulkeley, 2021 ). The lack of a policy and legal framework breeds uncertainty and makes it difficult for stakeholders and sectors to synchronize goals and actions. We should focus on implicit capacity-building initiatives that tackle the reluctance and neglect of legal and policy frameworks, as well as stakeholder cooperation. The results spark debates about the necessity of proactive steps, regulatory changes, and stakeholder engagement plans to remove obstacles to integrated infrastructure planning. Overcoming obstacles and promoting integrated planning initiatives require cooperative efforts between government agencies, legislators, civil society, data sharing, technology adoption, and capacity building. Within the infrastructure-provider sectors, we observe the following patterns of coordination: There are three different levels of coordination: strong (26.9%), weak (57.7%), and unknown (11.5%). This indicates that people generally perceive infrastructure suppliers to be poorly coordinated. These results support(Oliver, 1990 ) assertion that cooperative partnerships, common objectives, and efficient communication are critical for infrastructure service providers. Strong coordination facilitates better service delivery, fewer redundancies, and stronger synergies. Also, it emphasized how governance frameworks, laws, and customs influence cooperative networks and coordination procedures (Klijn, 2016 ). The trends of insufficient coordination between infrastructure-provider sectors have several consequences for service delivery, efficiency, and governance. We achieved enhancements in resource optimization, stakeholder satisfaction, and service integration. The results showed that fixing problems like broken governance frameworks, few communication channels, competing interests, cooperative planning procedures, and stakeholder participation can encourage infrastructure providers to work together, be open, and take responsibility, which are all important parts of making coordination better. According to the survey results, a large majority (86.6%) has identified proposed routes that link the town to neighboring towns or cities, while a smaller proportion (15.4%) have not. Identifying proposed routes to neighboring areas in infrastructure planning reflects a strategic approach to resource allocation and connectivity, leveraging external resources for economic and social development. These signified the establishment of transportation networks that facilitate economic activities, social interactions, and access to services (Granovetter, 1973 ). Strong network connections between towns and cities promote resilience, innovation, and growth through enhanced connectivity. These implied that proposed routes contribute to improved connectivity (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD 2017), (Cigu et al., 2018 ; Mistura, 2019 ; Needs, 2012 ; Pisu et al., 2015 ; Prus & Sikora, 2021 ; Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2018 ), enabling efficient movement of people, goods, and services between the cities. This can lead to economic benefits and enhanced accessibility. On top of these, strong transportation links foster regional development by promoting trade, attracting investments, and creating employment opportunities. Integrated transport networks support sustainable urbanization and balanced growth across regions. Therefore, the findings prompt discussions on infrastructure planning, investment priorities, and stakeholder collaboration. Strategic planning initiatives should focus on enhancing identified routes, addressing connectivity gaps, ensuring infrastructure resilience and multi-modal transport solutions, public-private partnerships, and sustainable mobility to support future growth and development. 4. Conclusion and recommendations 4. 1 Conclusion The findings highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to common sewage disposal site planning in the studied cities. The absence of a shared infrastructure framework underscores the need for proactive measures to address governance gaps, enhance cooperation, and promote sustainable urban development. By focusing on inclusive decision-making processes, legal reforms, and strategic investments, cities can pave the way for resilient, efficient, and equitable infrastructure systems. The study identified critical gaps in common infrastructure development among the studied cities, particularly in sewage disposal and storage areas. The identified barriers, including lack of agreement, legal frameworks, and distribution systems, underscored the need for proactive measures and collaborative approaches in urban planning and governance. The absence of a designated body or institute for coordinating joint cooperation between the two cities underscored the need for proactive measures to establish effective governance mechanisms, enhance leadership capacity, and foster a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. By addressing these gaps and promoting institutional innovation, cities can unlock the potential for meaningful partnerships, collective action, and sustainable urban development. The survey results strongly support the argument for the creation of new solid waste disposal sites in cities. Addressing this need is crucial for ensuring efficient waste management, environmental protection, and public health. Urban growth has significant impacts on integrated infrastructure planning, necessitating investments in technology and skilled manpower. Inter-city cooperation plays a crucial role in developing effective legal frameworks and sharing resources and knowledge. As cities navigate the challenges of urbanization, collaboration and innovation will be key drivers of sustainable urban development. The survey findings reveal significant gaps in rainwater management and flood protection strategies within urban areas. Addressing these gaps requires a multi-dimensional approach that integrates practical policies and actions. The identified reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning underscored the complexities and challenges of aligning diverse interests, policies, and actions across stakeholders and sectors to overcome barriers and promote integrated planning for sustainable development. The identified factors affecting integration highlighted the multifaceted nature of integration challenges and opportunities. By adopting systems thinking, collaborative strategies, and inclusive approaches, stakeholders can navigate complexities, address barriers, and promote harmonious integration that benefits communities, organizations, and societies at large. Continued dialogue, knowledge sharing, and cross-sectoral cooperation are essential for achieving long-term integration goals, enhancing resilience, and fostering inclusive, vibrant communities. Improved service delivery, less effort duplication, and more effective use of resources can result from institutional cooperation, innovation, learning, and resilience. Numerous institutions have established coordination goals for the future, indicating the importance and necessity of intercity collaboration. Converting these objectives into workable plans requires conversations about efficient coordination methods, lines of communication, and governance frameworks. In addition, effective institutional coordination initiatives depend heavily on developing mutual understanding, establishing trust, and coordinating priorities. 4.2 Recommendations We propose the following recommendations to improve the integrated infrastructure planning practices between Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities, based on the study's findings and conclusions. Create comprehensive master plans that incorporate input from a variety of stakeholders and integrate utilities, transportation, and environmental factors with an emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and connectivity. In order to improve information sharing and decision-making, concerned bodies should strengthen coordination between federal agencies and local governments that are involved in infrastructure development through joint committees and frequent meetings. Encourage public-private partnerships to fill funding gaps and improve project quality and efficiency by leveraging the private sector's resources, creativity, and experience in infrastructure projects. Use digital platforms and smart city technology to manage, monitor, and maintain infrastructure more efficiently. In order to match projects with local needs and goals, provide chances for community participation, consultation, and co-design. This will encourage community engagement in integrated urban infrastructure planning. In order to improve urban livability and minimize environmental effects, cities should incorporate sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation concepts into the planning of infrastructure. Green infrastructure and low-carbon technology should be promoted. Declarations Consent Statement of participants Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Additionally, verbal consent was confirmed at the time of the interview or survey. Consent Statement of publication Consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study for the publication of their data in this manuscript. The authors declare no conflict of interests Author contribution statement GeremewWorku:- Comprehended and designed the experiments; executed the experiments; analyzed and interpreted the data; contributed components, materials, analysis tools or data; and wrote the paper. DagnachewAdugna:- comprehended and designed the experiments; executed the experiments; analyzed and interpreted the data; contributed components, materials, analysis tools or data; and wrote the paper. Funding statement This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Data availability statement No additional data except in the paper is attached as supplementary material. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Additional information The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Supplementary content related to this article has been published online at [URL]. Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge the research participants for their partaking of their insights, and the University for giving me a chance to join it. References Abraha T, Tibebu A, Ephrem G (2022) Rapid urbanization and the growing water risk challenges in Ethiopia: the need for water sensitive thinking. Front Water 4:890229 Adisu M, Hailemikael M (2017) An Approach to Drainage System Sustainability in Wolaita Soddo Town: A Case Study from Southern Ethiopia. Int J Waste Resour 7(271):2 Ansell C, Gash A (2008) Collaborative governance in theory and practice. J Public Adm Res Theor 18(4):543–571 Badiee M, Wang SC, Creswell JW (2012) Designing community-based mixed methods research Betsill MM, Bulkeley H (2021) Cities and the multilevel governance of global climate change. Understanding Global Cooperation. Brill, pp 219–236 Bevir M (2012) Governance: A very short introduction. OUP Oxford Biddle JC, Koontz TM (2014) Goal specificity: A proxy measure for improvements in environmental outcomes in collaborative governance. J Environ Manage 145:268–276 Biswas AK, Kumar S, Babu SS, Bhattacharyya JK, Chakrabarti T (2010) Studies on environmental quality in and around municipal solid waste dumpsite. Resour Conserv Recycl 55(2):129–134 Cervero R, Kockelman K (1997) Travel demand and the 3Ds: Density, diversity, and design. Transp Res part D: Transp Environ 2(3):199–219 Cherepovitsyn A, Rutenko E, Solovyova V (2021) Sustainable development of oil and gas resources: A system of environmental, socio-economic, and innovation indicators. J Mar Sci Eng 9(11):1307 Christaller W, Baskin CW (1966) Central places in southern Germany. (No Title Cigu E, Agheorghiesei DT, Gavriluță AF, Toader E (2018) Transport infrastructure development, public performance and long-run economic growth: a case study for the Eu-28 countries. Sustainability 11(1):67 Cohen B (2004) Urban growth in developing countries: a review of current trends and a caution regarding existing forecasts. World Dev 32(1):23–51 Cohen B (2006) Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability. Technol Soc 28(1–2):63–80 Cox M, Villamayor-Tomas S, Epstein G, Evans L, Ban NC, Fleischman F, Nenadovic M, Garcia-Lopez G (2016) Synthesizing theories of natural resource management and governance. Glob Environ Change 39:45–56 Creswell JW, Clark VLP (2017) Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage EF B, Ehrhardt M (2013) Financial management: Theory & practice. Cengage Learning Erena D, Berhe A, Hassen I, Mamaru T, Soressa Y (2017) City profile: Addis Ababa. Report prepared in the SES (Social Inclusion and Energy Management for Informal Urban Settlements) project, funded by the Erasmus + Program of the European Union. In Etefa DF (2023) Implication of Urban Planning on the Provision of Infrastructure in Selected Towns of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Int J Leadersh Public Sect Reform 1(2):1–19 Frankowski A (2019) Collaborative governance as a policy strategy in healthcare. J Health Organ Manag 33(7/8):791–808 Freeman RE (2010) Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge University Press Gangwar R, Agarwalla A, Sreekumar S Infrastructure Development–Theory, Practice and Policy Glaeser E (2013) Triumph of the city: How our greatest invention makes us richer, smarter, greener, healthier, and happier. New York NY: Penguin Books doi 10:1726–3247 Granovetter MS (1973) The strength of weak ties. Am J Sociol 78(6):1360–1380 Habitat U (2013a) State of the world's cities 2012/2013: Prosperity of cities. Routledge Habitat U (2013b) UN-Habitat. 2016. Planning Sustainable Cities: Global Report on Human Settlements 2009: Prosperity of cities Habitat U (2018) Tracking Progress Towards Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements. SDG 11 Synthesis Report-High Level Political Forum 2018 Hannigan J (2022) Environmental sociology. Routledge Harper C, Snowden M (2017) Environment and society: Human perspectives on environmental issues. Routledge Harris JM, Roach B (2017) Environmental and natural resource economics: A contemporary approach. Routledge Hirpe L, Yeom C (2021) Municipal solid waste management policies, practices, and challenges in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Sustainability 13(20):11241 Kennedy L, Sood A (2016) Greenfield Development as Tabula Rasa: Rescaling, Speculation and Governance on India's Urban Frontier. Economic Political Wkly, 41–49 Klijn EH (2016) The managerial aspect of interactive governance. Critical reflections on interactive governance. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp 425–443 Klijn EH, van Meerkerk I, Edelenbos J (2020) How do network characteristics influence network managers’ choice of strategies? Public money Manage 40(2):149–159 Koontz TM, Thomas CW (2021) Improving the use of science in collaborative governance. Handbook of collaborative public management. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp 313–330 Koroso NH, Lengoiboni M, Zevenbergen JA (2021) Urbanization and urban land use efficiency: Evidence from regional and Addis Ababa satellite cities, Ethiopia. Habitat international , 117 , 102437 Kourtit K, Nijkamp P, Partridge MD (2013) The new urban world, vol 21. Taylor & Francis, pp 285–290 Kriswandanu AR, Muhtadi MA, Suprayitno E, Ahmaniyah A, Wardita Y (2023) Effects of Urbanization, Transport Infrastructure, Air Quality, and Health Outcomes on the Quality of Life of Jakarta City Population. Jurnal Geosains West Sci 1(02):54–63 Kum V, Sharp A, Harnpornchai N (2005) Improving the solid waste management in Phnom Penh city: a strategic approach. Waste Manag 25(1):101–109 Kumari T, Raghubanshi AS (2023) Waste management practices in the developing nations: challenges and opportunities. Waste Manage Resource Recycling Developing World, 773–797 Lambrecht I, Tollin N (2017) Evaluation of the UN-Habitat Programme for Achieving Sustainable Urban Developmen Larsson O (2019) A theoretical framework for analyzing institutionalized domination in network governance arrangements. Crit Policy Stud 13(1):81–100 Leeson GW (2018) The growth, ageing and urbanisation of our world. J Popul Ageing 11:107–115 Lin GC, Zhang AY (2015) Emerging spaces of neoliberal urbanism in China: Land commodification, municipal finance and local economic growth in prefecture-level cities. Urban Stud 52(15):2774–2798 Locke A, Henley G (2016) Urbanisation, land and property rights. ODI report Jan Longley PA, Goodchild MF, Maguire DJ, Rhind DW (2015) Geographic information science and systems. Wiley Martínez-Zarzoso I, Maruotti A (2011) The impact of urbanization on CO2 emissions: evidence from developing countries. Ecol Econ 70(7):1344–1353 Mezgebo TG (2020) Urbanization and development in Ethiopia: Policy issues, trends and prospects. State of the Ethiopian Economy , 2021 Mistura F (2019) Quantifying Private and Foreign Investment in Transport Infrastructure Musgrave RA (1973) Public finance in theory and practice. McGraw-Hill Kogakusa Narayan AS, Marks SJ, Meierhofer R, Strande L, Tilley E, Zurbrügg C, Lüthi C (2021) Advancements in and integration of water, sanitation, and solid waste for low-and middle-income countries. Annu Rev Environ Resour 46:193–219 Needs I (2012) Strategic transport infrastructure needs to 2030 Oliver C (1990) Determinants of interorganizational relationships: Integration and future directions. Acad Manage Rev 15(2):241–265 Pagano MA, Perry D (2008) Financing infrastructure in the 21st century city. Public Works Manage Policy 13(1):22–38 Pahl-Wostl C, Jeffrey P, Isendahl N, Brugnach M (2011) Maturing the new water management paradigm: progressing from aspiration to practice. Water Resour Manage 25:837–856 Palanivel T (2017) Rapid urbanisation: opportunities and challenges to improve the well-being of societies. Hum Dev Rep Office United Nations Dev Programme 6th September Parasuraman A, Zeithaml VA, Berry LL (1988) Servqual: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perc. J Retail 64(1):12 Partelow S, Senff P, Buhari N, Schlüter A (2018) Operationalizing the social-ecological systems framework in pond aquaculture. Int J Commons 12(1):485–518 Pisu M, Pels B, Bottini N (2015) Improving infrastructure in the United Kingdom. Prus P, Sikora M (2021) The impact of transport infrastructure on the sustainable development of the region—Case study. Agriculture 11(4):279 Putri FK, Hidayah E, Ma'ruf MF (2023) Enhancing stormwater management with low impact development (LID): A review of the rain barrel, bioretention, and permeable pavement applicability in Indonesia. Water Sci Technol 87(9):2345–2361 Qi J, Barclay N (2021) Social barriers and the hiatus from successful green stormwater infrastructure implementation across the US. Hydrology 8(1):10 Rahman MS, Alam J (2020) Solid waste management and incineration practice: a study of Bangladesh. Int J Nonferrous Metall 9(1):1–25 Rodríguez-Pose A, Crescenzi R, Di Cataldo M (2018) Institutions and the thirst for ‘prestige’transport infrastructure. Knowl institutions, 227–246 Rowbottom N, Locke J (2016) The emergence of. Acc Bus Res 46(1):83–115 Sabatier P, Mazmanian D (1980) The implementation of public policy: A framework of analysis. Policy Stud J 8(4):538–560 Schmidt E, Dorosh PA, Jemal K, M., Smart J (2018) Ethiopia's spatial and structural transformation: Public policy and drivers of change, vol 119. Intl Food Policy Res Inst Schnall PL, Dobson M, Rosskam E, Elling RH (2009) Unhealthy work: Causes, consequences, cures. Baywood Publishing Company New York Serrao-Neumann S, Renouf M, Kenway S, Choy DL (2017) Connecting land-use and water planning: Prospects for an urban water metabolism approach. Cities 60:13–27 Sharma A, Surjan A, Shaw R (2011) Overview of urban development and associated risks. Climate and disaster resilience in cities, vol 6. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp 1–16 Stebek EN (2016) Vol. 10 No. 1: The Constitutional Right to Enhanced Livelihood in Ethiopia. Unfulfilled Promises and the Need for New Approaches Steenmans I (2017) Integrated infrastructure systems: strategic planning practice and problem structuring support UCL (University College London)] Tanku M, Woldetensae B (2023) Industrial development and urban spatial planning practices: The case of Galan and Dukem cities in Ethiopia. Heliyon, 9 (7) Taye ZH (2018) GIS and remote sensing application in solid waste management and optimal site suitability assessment for landfill: the case of Shashemene City, Ethiopia NTNU] Teshome FB (2021) Municipal solid waste management in Ethiopia; the gaps and ways for improvement. J Mater Cycles Waste Manage 23:18–31 Ulfah EM (2021) Dinamika Masyarakat Urban. Dirasah: Jurnal Studi Ilmu dan Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 4(1):118–133 Veal AJ (2017) Research methods for leisure and tourism. Pearson Uk Watson V (2016) Locating planning in the New Urban Agenda of the urban sustainable development goal. Plann theory 15(4):435–448 Weldeghebrael EH (2021) Addis Ababa: City Scoping Study. African Cities Research Consortium, The University of Manchester: Manchester, UK Yuen B, Kumssa A (2010) Africa and Asia: Two of the World’s Fastest Growing Regions. Climate change and sustainable urban development in Africa and Asia. Springer, pp 3–18 Tables Tables 1 and 2 are available in the Supplementary Files section. Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Supplementary Files Tables.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5171883","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":360122768,"identity":"6fd59be9-9a97-4091-99af-46bb038ba765","order_by":0,"name":"Geremew Worku","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Geremew","middleName":"","lastName":"Worku","suffix":""},{"id":360122769,"identity":"0d600103-22a2-4c31-9a85-9f8c56b137d2","order_by":1,"name":"Dagnachew Adugna","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Dagnachew","middleName":"","lastName":"Adugna","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-09-28 19:49:11","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":true,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":66067951,"identity":"b6d22619-0725-495e-b176-b02efe9c7423","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-07 11:37:13","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":804025,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLocation map of the study area\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5171883/v1/6204a347cc90da5a54374cc1.png"},{"id":66067066,"identity":"2a243e87-e958-4c1e-ab43-69bedb6d6cff","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-07 11:29:13","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":17629,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCity of the Respondent\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5171883/v1/b16354b6c880a9c96d2e31bb.png"},{"id":66067064,"identity":"31ecffcf-2ab0-4a99-9a22-186b6d15091d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-07 11:29:13","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":25870,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eOrganization of the Respondent\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5171883/v1/5462f47cf7b9053ef8c11744.png"},{"id":66067952,"identity":"de6ecf3f-df7c-47e8-a693-2ed123dd0002","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-07 11:37:18","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1277472,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5171883/v1/d51c22e4-f8c6-476d-ac31-bba13c82f910.pdf"},{"id":66067950,"identity":"36ed52d1-c666-4a0b-969e-28cac8e72a2f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-07 11:37:13","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":15803,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Tables.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5171883/v1/d97ea35dcea776b0af14133e.docx"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe practices of an integrated infrastructure planning in Ethiopian metropolitan cities, the case of Addis Ababa and Sheger cities\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eCurrently, over half of the world's population resides in cities (Cohen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Kourtit et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) ), and projections indicate that by 2050, 68 percent of the world's population will reside in urban areas (Koroso et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). This rapid increase will take place mainly in developing countries (Palanivel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Africa and Asia, both still less urbanized than other regions, will have the fastest urban growth rates (Palanivel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) and (Cohen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e; Leeson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Yuen \u0026amp; Kumssa, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR80\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). By 2050, projections indicate that Africa's urban population will increase from 40 percent to 56 percent, and Asia's from 48 percent to 64 percent (Palanivel, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). This raising population resulted in requiring more integrated urban infrastructure. According to (Sharma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR70\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e) argument, rapid and often unplanned urbanization can pose four significant risks in developing countries. The article mentions increased social instability, risks to important infrastructure, possible shortages of water and other resources, and the possibility of a catastrophic spread of disease were among the issues listed in the article (Sharma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR70\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, urbanization can provide better access to social amenities and employment opportunities (Ulfah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR76\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) when properly planned and managed (Kriswandanu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) and (Locke \u0026amp; Henley, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). However, fragmented approaches to development and infrastructure investment may result in congestion, inadequate provision of public services, environmental degradation, inefficiencies, inequalities, unsustainable urban sprawl, and health problems (Kriswandanu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Locke \u0026amp; Henley, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, rapid urbanization exacerbates challenges related to traffic congestion, air pollution, inadequate housing, and insufficient access to basic services (Kriswandanu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Locke \u0026amp; Henley, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e), (Ulfah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR76\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and (Mart\u0026iacute;nez-Zarzoso \u0026amp; Maruotti, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly the urbanization process in Ethiopia resulted suffering from deficits in housing, infrastructure, and services; unemployment and inequality; and increasing homelessness (Mezgebo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Tanku \u0026amp; Woldetensae, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR73\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthiopia is experiencing rapid urbanization, particularly in its major metropolitan areas such as Addis Ababa and Sheger (Schmidt et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). The country's urban population to double by 2050, putting immense pressure on existing infrastructure and services (Abraha et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). This urban growth presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring effective planning and management to ensure sustainable development and improve the quality of life for urban residents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAddis Ababa, as the capital city, serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Ethiopia (Weldeghebrael, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR79\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Its population has been steadily increasing, leading to greater demand for housing, transportation, water, sanitation, and other essential services (Weldeghebrael, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR79\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, Sheger, also known as the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, encompasses several satellite cities and towns that are experiencing significant population growth and urban expansion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite ongoing efforts to address integrated infrastructure needs, there are concerns about the effectiveness of integrated infrastructure planning and collaboration between Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities. Fragmented approaches to development and infrastructure investment could lead to inefficiencies, inequality, and unsustainable urban expansion (Stebek, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR71\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntegrated infrastructure planning offers a holistic approach to addressing these challenges by promoting coordination among various sectors and stakeholders. Cross-sectoral infrastructure integration has received a lot of attention in the planning community (Kennedy \u0026amp; Sood, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Narayan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e); (Steenmans, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR72\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), where \u0026ldquo;infrastructure integration is the resurgent watchword as a key strategy for sustainable urbanism\u0026rdquo; (Steenmans, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR72\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). By considering the interconnectedness of different infrastructure systems and urban development initiatives, integrated urban infrastructure planning aims to optimize resource allocation, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable urban growth (Habitat, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013b\u003c/span\u003e). However, achieving effective integration requires strong governance structures, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and participatory decision-making processes\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCurrently, Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities are implementing an integrated infrastructure planning system. For instance, the Addis Ababa city bus extends its reach to connect key areas within Addis Ababa and Sheger city. The rated approach to public transportation aims to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility, and enhance mobility for residents and commuters traveling between the two cities. The road network developments focus on enhancing connectivity for passenger and freight transportation, supporting economic activities, and facilitating smoother travel between the two urban centers..\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere are also efforts underway to enhance water supply infrastructure, including the expansion of water treatment plants and distribution networks, ensuring reliable access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities, water distribution networks, wastewater treatment, parks, green spaces, and urban forestry initiatives that are integrated into urban planning for residents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, inadequate financial resources, rapid urbanization and population growth, the demand for services such as transportation, water supply, sanitation, and housing, as well as a lack of expertise, technological infrastructure, and maintenance capabilities, can strain existing infrastructure capacity between the two cities. Even if there are a lot of complicated rules, rules that are hard to understand, and areas where different governments have power at the same time, political stability, good government, the economy, and public support can all make planning and building infrastructure in the study areas less effective. Therefore, the aim of this article is to create cohesive, sustainable, and well-connected urban environments that benefit the public across both metropolitan regions.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and method","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Study area\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAddis Ababa, as Ethiopia\u0026apos;s capital city, serves as its political, economic, and cultural hub (Weldeghebrael, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e)and (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Rapid population growth has created opportunities for economic development in the developing world, but it has also created social, environmental, and cultural challenges, leading to a mismatch between the demand and the supply of services (Weldeghebrael, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). It is geographically located in the heart of the nation, at 9o2\u0026rsquo;N latitude and 38o45\u0026rsquo;E longitude (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Its average altitude is 2,400 meters above sea level, with the highest elevations at Entoto Hill to the north reaching 3,200 meters (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). This makes Addis Ababa one of the highest-altitude capital cities in the world (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Understanding the dynamics of urbanization and infrastructure development in Addis Ababa is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of integrated planning efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIts social and physical infrastructure has increased quantitatively in the past few decades, but it is still in need of significant improvement in terms of quality and distribution (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). The government\u0026apos;s strategies behind its extensive urban investments, which integrate the improvement of the urban environment with the creation of economic opportunities, especially for urban youth, have shown some promising results (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). However, we need to evaluate, modify, or replace the policies and strategies based on their contribution to alleviating the chronic problems of the city (Erena et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSheger, like the Addis Ababa metropolitan area, consists of several satellite cities and towns that surround the capital. These towns include Sebeta, Bishoftu, and Burayu, among others. Sheger is experiencing significant population growth and urban expansion, leading to increased pressure on infrastructure and services. Examining the integration of planning processes and infrastructure investments across the Sheger Metropolitan Area provides insights into regional development dynamics and interdependencies.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSheger City, one of Oromia National Regional State\u0026apos;s late-established cities, consists of 12 sub-cities and towns. We purposefully selected three of these sub-cities, namely Burayu, Sebeta/Furi, and Galan, as case study sites (Fig. \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). We selected these cities because they are the economic powerhouses in Ethiopia and Oromia regions, are actively expanding their gray infrastructure to support the economy, and are experiencing rapid population growth, which is placing significant pressure on green spaces.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2.2 Research Design and Approach\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study utilized a mixed-methods approach combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of the practice of integrated infrastructure planning in city regions (Creswell \u0026amp; Clark, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Descriptive and explanatory research designs were used to analyze the practice of integrated urban infrastructure in the study areas (Etefa, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Pahl-Wostl et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2011\u003c/span\u003e; Veal, \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the study used purposive sampling to select case study areas on three different cases, namely transport and road networks, sewerage and drainage systems, and solid waste management.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2.3 Data Types and sources\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe used questionnaires, key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs), and document analysis as data sources to collect both primary and secondary data in the study areas. We collected primary data through surveys (KII) and FGDs. We extracted secondary data from research findings, books, review articles, published and unpublished reports, and field observation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2.4 Sampling techniques and determining sample size\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe selected purposeful sampling techniques for surveys (KII) and FGDs based on their availability and accessibility, especially when targeting specific groups or populations. We selected 51 experts from five sectors based on their experience and educational level. This helps to provide sufficient information about the integrated infrastructure planning in the study areas shown in Tables \u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e and 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to (Badiee et al., \u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) the number of participants in the FGD session was 40. For fair representation, 10 participants participated in each case study area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e2.5 Data Analyses\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe edited, coded, classified, and encoded all the gathered data into a computer for analysis using Microsoft Excel, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 22 software. We analyzed and presented the qualitative data in a non-numerical form. We first transcribed these into text, and then categorized them based on the frequency of ideas. We used each coded response category as a variable in SPSS for subsequent statistical analyses.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003e2.6 Data Presentation\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePresentations of the analyzed data include tables, graphs, charts, and percentages. Additionally, we have integrated GIS and CAD figures along with field surveys.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results and discussions","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Sewerage system\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA sizable majority of respondents (85.7%) in the study areas indicated that there was no integrated sewerage plan disposal site between the two cities under study, for a variety of reasons. Particularly, (24%) pointed to a lack of agreement between the cities; (13.2%) mentioned disagreements on boundaries; (20%) highlighted the lack of a compensation mechanism; and a substantial (42.9%) emphasized the lack of a legal framework.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the previous literature's emphasis on the value of institutional coordination and collaborative governance (Biddle \u0026amp; Koontz, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2014\u003c/span\u003e; Frankowski, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Koontz \u0026amp; Thomas, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e); the lack of an integrated sewerage plan disposal site reflects challenges in collaborative governance and institutional coordination between the cities. This emphasized the importance of legal frameworks and governance structures in shaping urban infrastructure (Ansell \u0026amp; Gash, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). The absence of a common sewage disposal site shows missed opportunities for cost-effective infrastructure sharing, environmental sustainability, and public health improvement. It underscored the need for enhanced inter-municipal cooperation, updated regulatory frameworks, and inclusive planning processes. These findings could explore strategies for overcoming barriers to common infrastructure development. This may involve establishing collaborative mechanisms such as joint agreements, public-private partnerships, or regional authorities tasked with infrastructure planning and management. Additionally, addressing legal and regulatory gaps requires a multi-stakeholder approach from different actors, which can facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building in infrastructure governance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the study, 30.9% stated that there is a common disposal area, while 69.1% stated that there is no such common disposal site. The findings indicate that there are no common sewage disposal sites in the cities. These highlight a significant gap in developing integrated sewerage planning and indicate limited efforts by the cities to have a common disposal site.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, these findings indicate a lack of collaborative infrastructure planning and governance between the studied cities. Despite document reviews and interviews confirming the separate development of different policy documents and legal frameworks in the study areas, a lack of common practices persists. Thus, the findings emphasized the importance of legal frameworks, agreements, and coordination mechanisms in facilitating common infrastructure development. It also points out that, from a governance perspective, the lack of a legal framework and collaborative agreements suggests the need for enhanced inter-municipal cooperation, regulatory reforms, and capacity-building initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings indicated that creating joint committees or task groups for sewerage infrastructure development, encouraging communication and consensus-building among stakeholders, and utilizing public-private partnerships are the key solutions for the study areas. This may involve creating a dedicated institute, committee, or task force with a mandate to facilitate collaboration, resolve conflicts, and promote collective decision-making.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Drainage system\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen asked whether the cities have common storm water master plan, 17.4 percent of respondents indicated that cities have a common water master plan. While 82.6 percent of respondents stated that cities do not have a common water master plan, regarding strategies for flood protection in lower reaches, 16 percent of respondents reported the existence of strategies to protect people in lower reaches from floods. And 81.3 percent of respondents stated that there were no strategies in place to protect people in lower reaches from floods. Lack of a common storm water master plan in cities can lead to several issues, such as flooding, water pollution, and inefficient water usage (Putri et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Qi \u0026amp; Barclay, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The absence of strategies for flood protection in the lower reaches highlighted potential vulnerabilities in urban planning and disaster management.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCities without a common storm water master plan may face increased risks of urban flooding and environmental degradation. The lack of such systems could also hinder sustainable water resource management efforts. The absence of strategies for protecting people in lower reaches from floods indicates a potential gap in disaster preparedness and response. Vulnerable populations living in flood-prone areas may face heightened risks without adequate protection measures. The findings suggest a need for policy makers to prioritize the development of integrated storm water master plan in the study areas. The lack of strategies for flood protection raises concerns about the resilience of urban infrastructure and the safety of vulnerable communities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding coordination of storm water drainage master plan, (26%) of respondents indicated that the storm water drainage master plan was coordinated between the cities. (74%) of respondents stated that there was no coordination of the storm water drainage master plan with surrounding cities. Lack of coordination in storm water drainage plans can lead to inefficiencies, increased flood risks, and water quality issues (Adisu \u0026amp; Hailemikael, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe lack of coordination in storm water drainage plans between the cities suggests potential challenges in addressing cross-border water management issues. Collaboration among municipal authorities, regional bodies, and stakeholders is vital to ensuring coordinated storm water drainage planning across city boundaries. Mechanisms such as joint infrastructure projects, data sharing, and policy alignment can facilitate effective coordination in storm water planning.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e51% of respondents in a survey evaluating attempts to implement an integrated approach to physical infrastructure in the study areas responded \"yes,\" suggesting that such efforts are still underway. However, 48.9% of respondents said \"no,\" indicating that a sizable majority of respondents might not think highly of such integrated techniques. The goal of constructing physical infrastructure in cities through an integrated strategy aligned with the concept of (Gangwar et al.; Kumari \u0026amp; Raghubanshi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), who highlighted the necessity of coordinated and synergistic planning across many infrastructure sectors. This demonstrated the value of using integrated strategies to solve problems with the environment, society, and economy (Habitat, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013a\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Lambrecht \u0026amp; Tollin, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Watson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR78\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDivergent responses to efforts to implement integrated systems reflect different priorities and problems in the development of urban infrastructure. Various factors, such as stakeholder collaboration, financial sources, and governance frameworks, influence the viability and effectiveness of integrated systems. In addition, conversations about knowledge sharing and capacity building are essential to the advancement of integrated urban infrastructure development. By exchanging best practices, assisting in inter-agency coordination, and encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, we can improve the adoption of integrated approaches.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe vast majority of respondents (78.3%) said that their organization plans to coordinate with other cities and sub-cities in the future. However, (17.4%) of respondents said \"no,\" indicating that a lesser percentage of institutions might not be prioritizing or planning to prioritize such coordinating efforts at this time. Institutions that aim to achieve coordination in the future understand the value of interdependence and teamwork in accomplishing common goals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImproved service delivery, less effort duplication, and more effective use of resources can result from institutional cooperation, innovation, learning, and resilience. Numerous institutions have established coordination goals for the future, indicating the importance and necessity of intercity collaboration. Converting these objectives into workable plans requires conversations about efficient coordination methods, lines of communication, and governance frameworks. In addition, effective institutional coordination initiatives depend heavily on developing mutual understanding, establishing trust, and coordinating priorities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding the existence of rules, frameworks, or other legal circumstances that support institutional integration among stakeholders, the survey's results showed that (47.8%) of respondents said \"yes.\" (51.2%) of respondents, on the other hand, indicated that they did not have such laws or rules in place. According to (Ansell \u0026amp; Gash, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e) theories suggest that the presence or absence of laws and regulatory frameworks significantly influences institutional integration among stakeholders, underscoring the importance of these frameworks in fostering effective coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders (Glaeser, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). The existence or absence of rules and legal frameworks governing institutional integration impacts transparency, accountability, and cooperation. In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative activities, lower conflict, and improve coordination, regulations can encourage cooperation by giving institutions rules, guidelines, and incentives to work together toward shared goals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe availability of rules or legal frameworks for institutional integration demonstrates varying degrees of institutional support and acknowledgement for collaborative governance. Initiatives for capacity-building, stakeholder education, and awareness-raising can also enhance comprehension and adherence to regulatory frameworks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegarding whether cities have collaborative projects through shared finance, (53.8%) of respondents said \"yes,\" while (65.3%) said \"no.\" Focus group discussions and interviews verified that cities do, in fact, currently have collaborative projects underway. This disparity in replies raises the possibility that respondents were unaware of or misunderstood the existence of collaboratively sponsored joint initiatives. The results emphasized how crucial it is for collaborative initiatives (Neumann et al., (Serrao-Neumann et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR69\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) to prioritize communication, transparency, and stakeholder involvement in order to take into account the interests and viewpoints of all parties involved, including those working on joint projects (Freeman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, the results emphasized the significance of collaborative funding and partnership agreements in tackling intricate problems and accomplishing mutual objectives (Klijn, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Klijn et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Larsson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results open the door for future collaborations and projects, and they have many consequences for awareness and communication, efficiency and resource optimization, trust, and teamwork. The disparity observed in survey results and the outcomes of focus groups, interviews, and discussions underscored the necessity of enhanced communication and raising awareness in cooperative projects..\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn response to a question concerning a project's funding source, participants gave the following breakdown: (19.2%) identified municipal funds, (30.8%) stated special savings, and (34.6%) confirmed government loans. The diversity of funding sources indicates that a combination of internal and external channels finance these initiatives. Project finance sources are consistent with ideas that highlight how the government raises and distributes money for public projects via loan and grant programs (Musgrave, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1973\u003c/span\u003e). Government loans are a popular way for cities to raise money for development projects by financing infrastructure. The study of municipal finance theory focuses on the sources of funding for local governments, such as taxes, fees, and other kinds of income (Lin \u0026amp; Zhang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Pagano \u0026amp; Perry, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). Municipal money is a crucial source of funding for civic initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and service provision. Furthermore, budgeting, savings, and strategic financial planning are critical components of project funding(EF \u0026amp; Ehrhardt, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese findings have implications for how cities can best allocate resources, prioritize projects based on needs, and optimize the return on investments in infrastructure and services. Specifically, diverse sources of financing for projects provide financial stability, risk mitigation, and resource allocation. The variety of financing sources sparks discussions on financial tactics, debt management, and revenue diversification for cities. We must consider factors such as interest rates, repayment schedules, and budgetary sustainability to use government loans wisely and effectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA small percentage (3.8%) of respondents answered yes to the question of whether the topography of the cities is hindering the integration of the local city or sub-city, while a majority (57.7%) answered no. This implies that people generally do not perceive city topography as a significant barrier to the integration of local city or sub-city areas. The findings align with theories of urban planning and geographic analysis, with topography influencing settlement patterns but not necessarily hindering integration (Christaller \u0026amp; Baskin, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1966\u003c/span\u003e). While topographic features can influence infrastructure design and development, modern engineering practices and technology often mitigate integration challenges. often mitigate integration challenges. Aligning with the present findings (Longley et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) they highlight the role of spatial data analysis and visualization in understanding and addressing urban challenges to assess topographic constraints, optimize infrastructure planning, and promote integration through informed decision-making.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe perception that topography does not significantly hinder the integration of local city/sub-cities areas has several implications for urban planning, infrastructure development, and spatial analysis. GIS tools and spatial analysis techniques provide valuable insights into topographic features, helping planners optimize land use, transportation networks, connectivity, accessibility, cohesion, and urban design to meet diverse topographic conditions and reduce integration barriers. The findings strongly affirmed that the role of technology, engineering innovation, and data-driven decision-making in addressing urban challenges is critical in leveraging technology to overcome topographic constraints and promote integration.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Solid waste management\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the survey, that asking to proof a common solid waste disposal site in the area, only (24%) of respondents indicated the presence of a common solid waste disposal site in the area, while a significant majority of (76%) reported the absence of such a facility. These highlighted the lack of common solid waste disposal facilities shared between the cities under study which created problems for the environment. The findings align with theories of environmental governance and sustainable development (Cox et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Partelow et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). The absence of a common solid waste disposal site suggests challenges in coordinating waste management efforts and promoting resource efficiency across municipal boundaries.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis implies that, the lack of common solid waste disposal facilities indicates inefficiencies, potential environmental impacts (Kum et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e) and missed opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization. Furthermore, separate waste disposal systems can lead to increased transportation costs, emissions, and logistical challenges, contributing to negative environmental outcomes. These underscored the need for integrated waste planning and management strategies and collaborative solutions (Bevir, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings prompt discussions on strategies for improving waste planning practices and promoting sustainable development by establishing shared solid waste disposal facilities, implementing waste-to-energy technologies, and incentivizing waste reduction and recycling initiatives. There should also be focus on the role of regulatory frameworks, public-private partnerships, and community engagement in driving sustainable waste management practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the options given as the reason for the lack of a common solid waste storage area are lack of an integrated plan (34%)), lack of agreement (2%), lack of Compensation mechanism (16%)) and administrative problems (48%). These findings highlighted from many reasons significant challenges and barriers to establishing shared waste management infrastructure between the cities under study administrative issue is the major one. The survey results indicated that administrative issues and the lack of integrated planning are significant factors contributing to the absence of a common solid waste disposal site between the cities under study. The lack of an integrated plan reflects challenges in aligning priorities, resources, and decision-making processes across multilevel jurisdictions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe implications of these findings are substantial for waste management practices, environmental sustainability, and public health. The lack of a common solid waste storage area due to administrative problems and the absence of an integrated plan suggested inefficiencies, potential environmental impacts, and increased costs associated with waste disposal. Moreover, administrative challenges can lead to delays, conflicts, and suboptimal outcomes in waste management operations, exacerbating environmental risks and community concerns. The findings prompt discussions on establishing inter-municipal agreements, developing integrated waste management plans, investing in infrastructure, and enhancing administrative capacities. It should also focus on the role of technology, innovation, and public-private partnerships in improving waste management practices and promoting circular economy principles.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen asked about the existence of such a plan, only 18% of respondents answered yes, while a substantial majority of 82% answered no. These findings highlighted a lack of coordinated and future-oriented planning for solid waste management infrastructure. Administrative challenges can hinder effective decision-making, resource allocation, and coordination among municipal authorities, leading to gaps in infrastructure planning and implementation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe absence of a common solid waste disposal plan indicates missed opportunities for cost-effective infrastructure sharing, resource optimization, and environmental sustainability (Taye, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR74\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Teshome, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR75\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Moreover, the lack of integrated planning can lead to ad-hoc solutions, inefficiencies, and challenges in meeting future waste management needs, potentially resulting in environmental degradation and public health risks (Biswas et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings prompt discussions on strategies for improving integrated planning, governance structures, and capacity building for waste management. This may involve enhancing collaboration among municipal authorities, developing long-term waste management strategies, and leveraging technological solutions. Building institutional capacity (Partelow et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), fostering inter-sectoral cooperation, and incorporating environmental considerations into planning processes are essential for addressing these challenges.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn response to the alternative questions of who should take responsibility for joint cooperation, the mayor's committee (30%), a newly established institute (13%) and no institute represented (57%). As a majority of 57.1% indicating no specific institute represented to coordinate their joint work and is not moving for this task. This suggests a lack of a designated body or mechanism for coordinating joint efforts between the cities under study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe absence of a designated institute or committee reflects challenges in establishing effective mechanisms for inter-municipal cooperation and coordination. The findings indicated the importance of clear roles, responsibilities, and coordination structures in facilitating collaborative initiatives and addressing collective challenges.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe implications of these findings indicated that, this can hinder progress in shared infrastructure development, service delivery, and addressing common issues that excel municipal boundaries. Moreover, the lack of a designated institute or committee may indicate gaps in leadership, institutional capacity, and political will to prioritize inter-city cooperation. This could lead to missed opportunities for leveraging shared resources, expertise, and funding for mutual benefit.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the question whether the cities need a new solid waste disposal sites, the survey results indicate a majority (98%) of respondents believed that cities need new solid waste disposal sites. Conversely, a small minority (2%) expressed that there is no need for additional waste storage facilities. These findings highlighted a significant perceived demand for improved integrated waste planning and management in the study areas. The need for new solid waste disposal sites can be attributed to several factors. Rapid urbanization leads to increased waste generation, putting strain on existing disposal facilities. Additionally, outdated integrated waste planning practices may not be equipped to handle modern waste streams effectively. Environmental concerns and regulatory requirements further underscored the necessity for updated waste storage facilities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese findings implied that, there is a practical need to invest in new solid waste disposal sites to meet the growing demands of the cities populations. Moreover, the development of modern waste management infrastructure aligns with sustainability goals and promotes a cleaner, healthier environment for residents (Hirpe \u0026amp; Yeom, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Rahman \u0026amp; Alam, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The disparity between those advocating for new waste disposal sites and those opposing them suggests a potential divide in public opinion or awareness regarding waste planning issues. It also raises questions about the adequacy of current waste management strategies and the need for public education and engagement on sustainable waste practices and the financial implications of establishing new disposal sites and the feasibility of implementing alternative waste management solutions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThat being said, when asked how they intend to achieve this, they responded by expropriation through force (8%), expropriation through compensation (56%) and not knowing (32%). From this we can understand that when they need a new solid waste storage space, they have been able to confirm that the cities request the site by paying compensation for the owners. Land use theories suggest that conflicts often arise when allocating space for different purposes, such as waste disposal facilities. These aligned with recognizing the need to compensate affected communities for any inconvenience or impact.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis highlights the need for fair and transparent compensation frameworks in land acquisition processes. The significant proportion of respondents who are unsure or unaware of the process underscored the importance of public education and outreach regarding urban planning and waste management initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat is the impact of urban growth on this service? For the options presented, a majority of respondents (64%) identified an increase in the amount of waste as a significant impact. Additionally, a notable proportion highlighted the need for sophisticated technology (16%) and skilled manpower (6%) to manage the growing waste effectively. Regarding legal frameworks and inter-city considerations, a majority (56%) indicated that cities do take each other into account when preparing legal frameworks, potentially leveraging shared resources and awareness. The sector leaders and experts, who were interviewed, in their response to this issue, stated that Addis Ababa city has prepared in a way that brings the understanding of Sheger city, especially in the area of water resource use, environment protection and transportation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese emphasized the challenges posed by rapid urban growth, including increased waste generation and the need for advanced infrastructure and services and the importance of technology and skilled personnel to address these challenges effectively (Watson, 2009). The increase in waste generation necessitates investments in advanced technology and skilled workforce, highlighting the need for sustainable waste management strategies.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings highlighted the complex interplay between urban growth, waste management, and inter-city cooperation. As cities expand, they face challenges in waste management that require technological advancements and skilled personnel. Collaborative approaches to legal frameworks can enhance resource sharing and best practices, leading to more efficient and sustainable urban development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe responses given to the alternative question about how cities can cooperate with each other are as follows: (48%) by working together (10%) by using resources together (20%) by planning together (14%) by exchanging experts and (6%) by sharing and establishing an institution. It can be understood from this finding that the main things that the two cities cooperate with are working together and planning together.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe survey responses indicate various ways in which cities can cooperate with each other. The majority of respondents (48%) believe that cooperation is achieved by working together, while a significant portion (20%) mentioned using resources together. Planning together (14%), exchanging experts (10%) a small percentage (6%) suggested establishing an institution for cooperation. These findings can be understood collaborative governance, inter-city partnerships, and resource sharing, cooperation among multiple stakeholders, including cities and benefits of strategic alliances and shared initiatives in addressing common urban challenges.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe emphasis on working and planning together suggested that cities recognize the value of coordinated efforts and shared visions in achieving common goals. The findings underscored that working and planning together are foundational elements of effective cooperation, enabling cities to align their priorities, strategies, and actions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the question of conflict between the two cities, (52%) of respondents acknowledged the existence of a conflict with Sheger City regarding solid waste disposal. Regarding ways to cooperate with non-existent stakeholders for site protection and waste disposal, (44%) suggested dialogue, (22%) mentioned compensation, 6% proposed giving incentives, and (26%) mentioned other strategies. These findings emphasized the importance of dialogue, negotiation, and finding mutually acceptable solutions to address disputes and conflicts. Incentive structures theories underscore the role of incentives and rewards in encouraging cooperation and fostering positive behavior among stakeholders.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe survey results carry implications for conflict management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable waste management practices. Recognizing and addressing conflicts related to waste disposal is crucial for effective urban governance and environmental sustainability. The findings highlighted the complexity of waste management issues and the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing conflicts. Dialogue can facilitate understanding, communication, and consensus-building among stakeholders. Compensation and incentives can provide tangible benefits and incentives for cooperation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Transport and road network system\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of the survey show that 34.6% of participants said \"yes,\" indicating that there are sufficient parking lots, bus terminals, and other forms of transportation to link the two cities. On the other hand, 65.4% of respondents said \"no,\" indicating deficiencies in the infrastructure of transportation connecting the cities. Inadequate transportation infrastructure can result in traffic jams, restricted mobility choices, and decreased connectedness, which can affect business operations, cause commuter annoyance, and lower the attraction of public transportation options and overall quality of life. In addition to influencing user happiness and overall service performance, these demand a strong transportation infrastructure to facilitate mobility, accessibility, and connectivity between metropolitan areas (Cervero \u0026amp; Kockelman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e; Parasuraman et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1988\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMobility issues might arise for locals, commuters, and tourists going between the two cities if there are insufficient transit options. This may result in longer travel times, heavy traffic, and inefficiencies in the transportation network. The results confirmed that in order to close the gaps in transportation infrastructure and increase connectivity and mobility options, multi-stakeholder participation, budget allocation, and strategic planning are necessary\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the results, particularly (26.9%) people ranked the state and condition of the transportation infrastructure as good, (53%) as medium, and (49.2%) as terrible. These diverse viewpoints brought to light varying opinions about the quality and condition of transportation infrastructure as it exists now. Grasberg et al. (2004) assert that the assessment, management, and grading of the state of transportation infrastructure suggest varying degrees of asset management procedures, maintenance efforts, and investment priorities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFixing infrastructure flaws can increase customer satisfaction, encourage a shift to more environmentally friendly transportation options, and raise general opinions about the transportation system. The results showed how important it is for government organizations, transportation authorities, and community stakeholders to work together to identify priority areas for improvement and carry out successful infrastructure renovations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe various rankings of the state of the transportation infrastructure highlight the difficulty in managing the system and the significance of ongoing evaluation, upkeep, and enhancement initiatives. By addressing identified weaknesses, enhancing the user experience, and prioritizing sustainable transport solutions, stakeholders can contribute to the development of a more robust, effective, and user-centered transport infrastructure system.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen asked what factors influence integration, the respondents listed a variety of factors: language barriers (16.8%); administrative systems (39%); political systems (28.4%); cross-border issues (30.8%); organizational relations (27.3%); inter-organizational relationships (22.3%); economic differences (46.4%); and all of the above (79.3%). Participants in focus groups and interviews reiterated similar arguments and added other elements influencing integration. Cross-border concerns, political systems, and economic disparities highlight the intricate interplay of systems that influences integration efforts. In order to achieve shared objectives, (Ansell \u0026amp; Gash, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e) highlighted the significance of cooperative relationships, trust, and communication within businesses.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe wide range of issues highlighted the complexity of integration efforts, necessitating a multifaceted strategy that takes organizational, cultural, political, and economic concerns into account. To overcome obstacles and take advantage of possibilities, effective integration strategies should place a high priority on inclusive decision-making processes, cross-sectoral collaboration, and stakeholder involvement. By removing obstacles and promoting inclusive and long-lasting integration processes, they accounted for a variety of elements, such as cooperative governance systems, cross-sectoral collaborations, and cultural sensitivity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe survey revealed the various effects of population growth on integrated infrastructure planning. Specifically, 50% of respondents indicated increased demand for infrastructure, 48% mentioned the need for collaborative management, 58.4% highlighted the necessity of open finance, and a significant 83.1 percent acknowledged that all these impacts were possible. (Cherepovitsyn et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Hannigan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Harper \u0026amp; Snowden, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Harris \u0026amp; Roach, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Schnall et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR68\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e) argues that this aligns with the finding that 50% of respondents identified increased infrastructure demand due to population growth. As (Ansell \u0026amp; Gash, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e) point out, the need for collaborative management (48%) among respondents reflected the recognition that effective infrastructure planning requires cooperation among diverse stakeholders. Furthermore, (Rowbottom \u0026amp; Locke, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e) found that 58.4% of respondents highlighted the necessity of open finance, underscoring the importance of transparent financial practices in infrastructure planning to ensure efficient resource utilization.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings implied that population growth necessitates proactive infrastructure planning to meet increased demand for transportation, housing, utilities, and public services. Failure to address this demand can lead to congestion, service shortages, and a reduced quality of life. Also, transparent financial planning promotes accountability, trust, and prudent resource allocation, ensuring that infrastructure investments align with community needs and long-term sustainability goals. The findings highlight the interconnected nature of population growth, infrastructure planning, and governance. Furthermore, discussions should focus on strategies for proactive infrastructure development, collaborative governance models, and transparent financial practices to address the impacts of population growth effectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe list the following reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning: The reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning include (10%) hesitancy among stakeholders, (21.2%) lack of support from policymakers, (31.2%) lack of focus, and (36.9%) lack of attention. The above findings revealed that all of these elements work together to make integrated infrastructure planning difficult to accomplish. These findings support the difficulties organizations face in converting policies into workable plans and activities, often due to a lack of funding, insufficient focus, or poor coordination (Sabatier \u0026amp; Mazmanian, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1980\u003c/span\u003e). The results also showed how institutional structures, rules, and legal frameworks can help or hurt integrated planning initiatives (Betsill \u0026amp; Bulkeley, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). The lack of a policy and legal framework breeds uncertainty and makes it difficult for stakeholders and sectors to synchronize goals and actions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe should focus on implicit capacity-building initiatives that tackle the reluctance and neglect of legal and policy frameworks, as well as stakeholder cooperation. The results spark debates about the necessity of proactive steps, regulatory changes, and stakeholder engagement plans to remove obstacles to integrated infrastructure planning. Overcoming obstacles and promoting integrated planning initiatives require cooperative efforts between government agencies, legislators, civil society, data sharing, technology adoption, and capacity building.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin the infrastructure-provider sectors, we observe the following patterns of coordination: There are three different levels of coordination: strong (26.9%), weak (57.7%), and unknown (11.5%). This indicates that people generally perceive infrastructure suppliers to be poorly coordinated. These results support(Oliver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1990\u003c/span\u003e) assertion that cooperative partnerships, common objectives, and efficient communication are critical for infrastructure service providers. Strong coordination facilitates better service delivery, fewer redundancies, and stronger synergies. Also, it emphasized how governance frameworks, laws, and customs influence cooperative networks and coordination procedures (Klijn, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe trends of insufficient coordination between infrastructure-provider sectors have several consequences for service delivery, efficiency, and governance. We achieved enhancements in resource optimization, stakeholder satisfaction, and service integration. The results showed that fixing problems like broken governance frameworks, few communication channels, competing interests, cooperative planning procedures, and stakeholder participation can encourage infrastructure providers to work together, be open, and take responsibility, which are all important parts of making coordination better.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccording to the survey results, a large majority (86.6%) has identified proposed routes that link the town to neighboring towns or cities, while a smaller proportion (15.4%) have not. Identifying proposed routes to neighboring areas in infrastructure planning reflects a strategic approach to resource allocation and connectivity, leveraging external resources for economic and social development. These signified the establishment of transportation networks that facilitate economic activities, social interactions, and access to services (Granovetter, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1973\u003c/span\u003e). Strong network connections between towns and cities promote resilience, innovation, and growth through enhanced connectivity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese implied that proposed routes contribute to improved connectivity (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD 2017), (Cigu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Mistura, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Needs, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Pisu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e; Prus \u0026amp; Sikora, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Rodr\u0026iacute;guez-Pose et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), enabling efficient movement of people, goods, and services between the cities. This can lead to economic benefits and enhanced accessibility. On top of these, strong transportation links foster regional development by promoting trade, attracting investments, and creating employment opportunities. Integrated transport networks support sustainable urbanization and balanced growth across regions. Therefore, the findings prompt discussions on infrastructure planning, investment priorities, and stakeholder collaboration. Strategic planning initiatives should focus on enhancing identified routes, addressing connectivity gaps, ensuring infrastructure resilience and multi-modal transport solutions, public-private partnerships, and sustainable mobility to support future growth and development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"4. Conclusion and recommendations","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4. 1 Conclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings highlighted the challenges and opportunities related to common sewage disposal site planning in the studied cities. The absence of a shared infrastructure framework underscores the need for proactive measures to address governance gaps, enhance cooperation, and promote sustainable urban development. By focusing on inclusive decision-making processes, legal reforms, and strategic investments, cities can pave the way for resilient, efficient, and equitable infrastructure systems.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study identified critical gaps in common infrastructure development among the studied cities, particularly in sewage disposal and storage areas. The identified barriers, including lack of agreement, legal frameworks, and distribution systems, underscored the need for proactive measures and collaborative approaches in urban planning and governance.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe absence of a designated body or institute for coordinating joint cooperation between the two cities underscored the need for proactive measures to establish effective governance mechanisms, enhance leadership capacity, and foster a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. By addressing these gaps and promoting institutional innovation, cities can unlock the potential for meaningful partnerships, collective action, and sustainable urban development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe survey results strongly support the argument for the creation of new solid waste disposal sites in cities. Addressing this need is crucial for ensuring efficient waste management, environmental protection, and public health.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrban growth has significant impacts on integrated infrastructure planning, necessitating investments in technology and skilled manpower. Inter-city cooperation plays a crucial role in developing effective legal frameworks and sharing resources and knowledge. As cities navigate the challenges of urbanization, collaboration and innovation will be key drivers of sustainable urban development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe survey findings reveal significant gaps in rainwater management and flood protection strategies within urban areas. Addressing these gaps requires a multi-dimensional approach that integrates practical policies and actions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe identified reasons for the lack of integrated infrastructure planning underscored the complexities and challenges of aligning diverse interests, policies, and actions across stakeholders and sectors to overcome barriers and promote integrated planning for sustainable development.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe identified factors affecting integration highlighted the multifaceted nature of integration challenges and opportunities. By adopting systems thinking, collaborative strategies, and inclusive approaches, stakeholders can navigate complexities, address barriers, and promote harmonious integration that benefits communities, organizations, and societies at large. Continued dialogue, knowledge sharing, and cross-sectoral cooperation are essential for achieving long-term integration goals, enhancing resilience, and fostering inclusive, vibrant communities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eImproved service delivery, less effort duplication, and more effective use of resources can result from institutional cooperation, innovation, learning, and resilience. Numerous institutions have established coordination goals for the future, indicating the importance and necessity of intercity collaboration. Converting these objectives into workable plans requires conversations about efficient coordination methods, lines of communication, and governance frameworks. In addition, effective institutional coordination initiatives depend heavily on developing mutual understanding, establishing trust, and coordinating priorities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2 Recommendations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe propose the following recommendations to improve the integrated infrastructure planning practices between Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan cities, based on the study's findings and conclusions.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003col\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate comprehensive master plans that incorporate input from a variety of stakeholders and integrate utilities, transportation, and environmental factors with an emphasis on sustainability, resilience, and connectivity.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn order to improve information sharing and decision-making, concerned bodies should strengthen coordination between federal agencies and local governments that are involved in infrastructure development through joint committees and frequent meetings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEncourage public-private partnerships to fill funding gaps and improve project quality and efficiency by leveraging the private sector's resources, creativity, and experience in infrastructure projects.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse digital platforms and smart city technology to manage, monitor, and maintain infrastructure more efficiently.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn order to match projects with local needs and goals, provide chances for community participation, consultation, and co-design. This will encourage community engagement in integrated urban infrastructure planning.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn order to improve urban livability and minimize environmental effects, cities should incorporate sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation concepts into the planning of infrastructure. Green infrastructure and low-carbon technology should be promoted.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/span\u003e \u003c/ol\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eConsent Statement of participants Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Additionally, verbal consent was confirmed at the time of the interview or survey. Consent Statement of publication Consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study for the publication of their data in this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interests\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor contribution statement\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeremewWorku:- Comprehended and designed the experiments; executed the experiments; analyzed and interpreted the data; contributed components, materials, analysis tools or data; and wrote the paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDagnachewAdugna:- comprehended and designed the experiments; executed the experiments; analyzed and interpreted the data; contributed components, materials, analysis tools or data; and wrote the paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFunding statement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData availability statement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo additional data except in the paper is attached as supplementary material.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflict of interest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional information\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Supplementary content related to this article has been published online at [URL]. Acknowledgements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors acknowledge the research participants for their partaking of their insights, and the University for giving me a chance to join it.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbraha T, Tibebu A, Ephrem G (2022) Rapid urbanization and the growing water risk challenges in Ethiopia: the need for water sensitive thinking. Front Water 4:890229\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdisu M, Hailemikael M (2017) An Approach to Drainage System Sustainability in Wolaita Soddo Town: A Case Study from Southern Ethiopia. Int J Waste Resour 7(271):2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnsell C, Gash A (2008) Collaborative governance in theory and practice. J Public Adm Res Theor 18(4):543\u0026ndash;571\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBadiee M, Wang SC, Creswell JW (2012) Designing community-based mixed methods research\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBetsill MM, Bulkeley H (2021) Cities and the multilevel governance of global climate change. Understanding Global Cooperation. Brill, pp 219\u0026ndash;236\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBevir M (2012) Governance: A very short introduction. OUP Oxford\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBiddle JC, Koontz TM (2014) Goal specificity: A proxy measure for improvements in environmental outcomes in collaborative governance. J Environ Manage 145:268\u0026ndash;276\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBiswas AK, Kumar S, Babu SS, Bhattacharyya JK, Chakrabarti T (2010) Studies on environmental quality in and around municipal solid waste dumpsite. Resour Conserv Recycl 55(2):129\u0026ndash;134\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCervero R, Kockelman K (1997) Travel demand and the 3Ds: Density, diversity, and design. Transp Res part D: Transp Environ 2(3):199\u0026ndash;219\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCherepovitsyn A, Rutenko E, Solovyova V (2021) Sustainable development of oil and gas resources: A system of environmental, socio-economic, and innovation indicators. J Mar Sci Eng 9(11):1307\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristaller W, Baskin CW (1966) Central places in southern Germany. (No Title\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCigu E, Agheorghiesei DT, Gavriluță AF, Toader E (2018) Transport infrastructure development, public performance and long-run economic growth: a case study for the Eu-28 countries. Sustainability 11(1):67\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCohen B (2004) Urban growth in developing countries: a review of current trends and a caution regarding existing forecasts. World Dev 32(1):23\u0026ndash;51\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCohen B (2006) Urbanization in developing countries: Current trends, future projections, and key challenges for sustainability. Technol Soc 28(1\u0026ndash;2):63\u0026ndash;80\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCox M, Villamayor-Tomas S, Epstein G, Evans L, Ban NC, Fleischman F, Nenadovic M, Garcia-Lopez G (2016) Synthesizing theories of natural resource management and governance. Glob Environ Change 39:45\u0026ndash;56\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreswell JW, Clark VLP (2017) Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEF B, Ehrhardt M (2013) Financial management: Theory \u0026amp; practice. \u003cem\u003eCengage Learning\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eErena D, Berhe A, Hassen I, Mamaru T, Soressa Y (2017) City profile: Addis Ababa. Report prepared in the SES (Social Inclusion and Energy Management for Informal Urban Settlements) project, funded by the Erasmus\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Program of the European Union. In\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEtefa DF (2023) Implication of Urban Planning on the Provision of Infrastructure in Selected Towns of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. Int J Leadersh Public Sect Reform 1(2):1\u0026ndash;19\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrankowski A (2019) Collaborative governance as a policy strategy in healthcare. J Health Organ Manag 33(7/8):791\u0026ndash;808\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreeman RE (2010) Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge University Press\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGangwar R, Agarwalla A, Sreekumar S Infrastructure Development\u0026ndash;Theory, Practice and Policy\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGlaeser E (2013) Triumph of the city: How our greatest invention makes us richer, smarter, greener, healthier, and happier. New York NY: Penguin Books doi 10:1726\u0026ndash;3247\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGranovetter MS (1973) The strength of weak ties. Am J Sociol 78(6):1360\u0026ndash;1380\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHabitat U (2013a) State of the world's cities 2012/2013: Prosperity of cities. Routledge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHabitat U (2013b) UN-Habitat. 2016. \u003cem\u003ePlanning Sustainable Cities: Global Report on Human Settlements 2009: Prosperity of cities\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHabitat U (2018) Tracking Progress Towards Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements. SDG 11 Synthesis Report-High Level Political Forum 2018\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHannigan J (2022) Environmental sociology. Routledge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarper C, Snowden M (2017) Environment and society: Human perspectives on environmental issues. Routledge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarris JM, Roach B (2017) Environmental and natural resource economics: A contemporary approach. Routledge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHirpe L, Yeom C (2021) Municipal solid waste management policies, practices, and challenges in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Sustainability 13(20):11241\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKennedy L, Sood A (2016) Greenfield Development as Tabula Rasa: Rescaling, Speculation and Governance on India's Urban Frontier. Economic Political Wkly, 41\u0026ndash;49\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlijn EH (2016) The managerial aspect of interactive governance. Critical reflections on interactive governance. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp 425\u0026ndash;443\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlijn EH, van Meerkerk I, Edelenbos J (2020) How do network characteristics influence network managers\u0026rsquo; choice of strategies? Public money Manage 40(2):149\u0026ndash;159\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoontz TM, Thomas CW (2021) Improving the use of science in collaborative governance. Handbook of collaborative public management. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp 313\u0026ndash;330\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoroso NH, Lengoiboni M, Zevenbergen JA (2021) Urbanization and urban land use efficiency: Evidence from regional and Addis Ababa satellite cities, Ethiopia. \u003cem\u003eHabitat international\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e117\u003c/em\u003e, 102437\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKourtit K, Nijkamp P, Partridge MD (2013) The new urban world, vol 21. Taylor \u0026amp; Francis, pp 285\u0026ndash;290\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKriswandanu AR, Muhtadi MA, Suprayitno E, Ahmaniyah A, Wardita Y (2023) Effects of Urbanization, Transport Infrastructure, Air Quality, and Health Outcomes on the Quality of Life of Jakarta City Population. Jurnal Geosains West Sci 1(02):54\u0026ndash;63\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKum V, Sharp A, Harnpornchai N (2005) Improving the solid waste management in Phnom Penh city: a strategic approach. Waste Manag 25(1):101\u0026ndash;109\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKumari T, Raghubanshi AS (2023) Waste management practices in the developing nations: challenges and opportunities. Waste Manage Resource Recycling Developing World, 773\u0026ndash;797\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLambrecht I, Tollin N (2017) Evaluation of the UN-Habitat Programme for Achieving Sustainable Urban Developmen\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarsson O (2019) A theoretical framework for analyzing institutionalized domination in network governance arrangements. Crit Policy Stud 13(1):81\u0026ndash;100\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeeson GW (2018) The growth, ageing and urbanisation of our world. J Popul Ageing 11:107\u0026ndash;115\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLin GC, Zhang AY (2015) Emerging spaces of neoliberal urbanism in China: Land commodification, municipal finance and local economic growth in prefecture-level cities. Urban Stud 52(15):2774\u0026ndash;2798\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLocke A, Henley G (2016) Urbanisation, land and property rights. \u003cem\u003eODI report Jan\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLongley PA, Goodchild MF, Maguire DJ, Rhind DW (2015) Geographic information science and systems. Wiley\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMart\u0026iacute;nez-Zarzoso I, Maruotti A (2011) The impact of urbanization on CO2 emissions: evidence from developing countries. Ecol Econ 70(7):1344\u0026ndash;1353\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMezgebo TG (2020) Urbanization and development in Ethiopia: Policy issues, trends and prospects. \u003cem\u003eState of the Ethiopian Economy\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e2021\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMistura F (2019) Quantifying Private and Foreign Investment in Transport Infrastructure\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMusgrave RA (1973) Public finance in theory and practice. McGraw-Hill Kogakusa\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNarayan AS, Marks SJ, Meierhofer R, Strande L, Tilley E, Zurbr\u0026uuml;gg C, L\u0026uuml;thi C (2021) Advancements in and integration of water, sanitation, and solid waste for low-and middle-income countries. Annu Rev Environ Resour 46:193\u0026ndash;219\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeeds I (2012) Strategic transport infrastructure needs to 2030\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOliver C (1990) Determinants of interorganizational relationships: Integration and future directions. Acad Manage Rev 15(2):241\u0026ndash;265\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePagano MA, Perry D (2008) Financing infrastructure in the 21st century city. Public Works Manage Policy 13(1):22\u0026ndash;38\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePahl-Wostl C, Jeffrey P, Isendahl N, Brugnach M (2011) Maturing the new water management paradigm: progressing from aspiration to practice. Water Resour Manage 25:837\u0026ndash;856\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePalanivel T (2017) Rapid urbanisation: opportunities and challenges to improve the well-being of societies. Hum Dev Rep Office United Nations Dev Programme \u003cem\u003e6th September\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParasuraman A, Zeithaml VA, Berry LL (1988) Servqual: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perc. J Retail 64(1):12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePartelow S, Senff P, Buhari N, Schl\u0026uuml;ter A (2018) Operationalizing the social-ecological systems framework in pond aquaculture. Int J Commons 12(1):485\u0026ndash;518\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePisu M, Pels B, Bottini N (2015) Improving infrastructure in the United Kingdom.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrus P, Sikora M (2021) The impact of transport infrastructure on the sustainable development of the region\u0026mdash;Case study. Agriculture 11(4):279\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePutri FK, Hidayah E, Ma'ruf MF (2023) Enhancing stormwater management with low impact development (LID): A review of the rain barrel, bioretention, and permeable pavement applicability in Indonesia. Water Sci Technol 87(9):2345\u0026ndash;2361\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQi J, Barclay N (2021) Social barriers and the hiatus from successful green stormwater infrastructure implementation across the US. Hydrology 8(1):10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRahman MS, Alam J (2020) Solid waste management and incineration practice: a study of Bangladesh. Int J Nonferrous Metall 9(1):1\u0026ndash;25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRodr\u0026iacute;guez-Pose A, Crescenzi R, Di Cataldo M (2018) Institutions and the thirst for \u0026lsquo;prestige\u0026rsquo;transport infrastructure. Knowl institutions, 227\u0026ndash;246\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRowbottom N, Locke J (2016) The emergence of. Acc Bus Res 46(1):83\u0026ndash;115\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSabatier P, Mazmanian D (1980) The implementation of public policy: A framework of analysis. Policy Stud J 8(4):538\u0026ndash;560\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchmidt E, Dorosh PA, Jemal K, M., Smart J (2018) Ethiopia's spatial and structural transformation: Public policy and drivers of change, vol 119. Intl Food Policy Res Inst\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSchnall PL, Dobson M, Rosskam E, Elling RH (2009) Unhealthy work: Causes, consequences, cures. Baywood Publishing Company New York\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerrao-Neumann S, Renouf M, Kenway S, Choy DL (2017) Connecting land-use and water planning: Prospects for an urban water metabolism approach. Cities 60:13\u0026ndash;27\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSharma A, Surjan A, Shaw R (2011) Overview of urban development and associated risks. Climate and disaster resilience in cities, vol 6. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp 1\u0026ndash;16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStebek EN (2016) Vol. 10 No. 1: The Constitutional Right to Enhanced Livelihood in Ethiopia. Unfulfilled Promises and the Need for New Approaches\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteenmans I (2017) \u003cem\u003eIntegrated infrastructure systems: strategic planning practice and problem structuring support\u003c/em\u003e UCL (University College London)]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTanku M, Woldetensae B (2023) Industrial development and urban spatial planning practices: The case of Galan and Dukem cities in Ethiopia. Heliyon, \u003cem\u003e9\u003c/em\u003e(7)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTaye ZH (2018) \u003cem\u003eGIS and remote sensing application in solid waste management and optimal site suitability assessment for landfill: the case of Shashemene City, Ethiopia\u003c/em\u003e NTNU]\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTeshome FB (2021) Municipal solid waste management in Ethiopia; the gaps and ways for improvement. J Mater Cycles Waste Manage 23:18\u0026ndash;31\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUlfah EM (2021) Dinamika Masyarakat Urban. Dirasah: Jurnal Studi Ilmu dan Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 4(1):118\u0026ndash;133\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVeal AJ (2017) Research methods for leisure and tourism. Pearson Uk\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatson V (2016) Locating planning in the New Urban Agenda of the urban sustainable development goal. Plann theory 15(4):435\u0026ndash;448\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeldeghebrael EH (2021) Addis Ababa: City Scoping Study. \u003cem\u003eAfrican Cities Research Consortium, The University of Manchester: Manchester, UK\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuen B, Kumssa A (2010) Africa and Asia: Two of the World\u0026rsquo;s Fastest Growing Regions. Climate change and sustainable urban development in Africa and Asia. Springer, pp 3\u0026ndash;18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003eTables 1 and 2 are available in the Supplementary Files section.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"Addis Ababa University","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"integrated infrastructure planning, metropolitan cities, Addis ababa, Sheger, urban development, sustainable cities, stakeholder collaboration, transport, waste","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eWhen properly planned and managed, urbanization can offer improved access to social amenities and job possibilities. On the other hand, disjointed approaches to infrastructure investment and development could lead to unsustainable urban sprawl, traffic jams, poor public service delivery, environmental degradation, inefficiencies, and inequality. Therefore developing infrastructure strategically is necessary to meet the changing needs of expanding metropolitan areas. Purposive sampling was employed in the study to implement a mixed-methods strategy for explanatory and descriptive research designs. The research attempts to identify possibilities, risks, flaws, and strengths in the current integrated infrastructure planning system by a thorough examination of policy frameworks, stakeholder involvement procedures, and implementation techniques. The results of this study will provide suggestions for improving cooperation, allocating resources as efficiently as possible, and utilizing technological advancements to promote resilient and inclusive urban settings. In creating resilient and inclusive cities, it also emphasizes the significance of coordinated efforts among stakeholders, efficient use of technology, and sustainable development principles. By looking at this, the study adds to the conversation about integrated infrastructure planning and provides information to stakeholders, legislators, and urban planners who are involved in determining the future of Ethiopian and other metropolitan regions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The practices of an integrated infrastructure planning in Ethiopian metropolitan cities, the case of Addis Ababa and Sheger cities","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-10-07 11:29:08","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5171883/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"3dfd697e-6207-45a4-ae85-c7ae3fce36e3","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 7th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":38317932,"name":"Urban Studies"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-10-07T11:29:08+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-10-07 11:29:08","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5171883","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5171883","identity":"rs-5171883","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}