Page 28 - AJWEP-22-4

Tekulu and Islam

Studies suggest that waste is not just a technical
challenge but reflects deeper issues of social
marginalization and environmental justice. Conflicts,
27
such as in Ukraine and Syria, have caused long-lasting
damage to waste infrastructure, resulting in uncontrolled
disposal and health risks. 28,29 Disrupted governance,
displaced populations, and damaged logistics pose
challenges in restoring waste services post-conflict.
Moreover, international humanitarian responses may
inadvertently generate additional waste, stressing already
fragile systems and further complicating recovery.
Lebanon’s 2015 waste crisis highlighted the failures of
decentralized governance and the urgency of integrated
SWM. 30,31 In many African cities, non-governmental
organizations, community-based organizations, and
the private sector now play vital roles in SWM due to
municipal limitations. These key players often bring
32
innovation, community engagement, and localized
knowledge, which are essential to adaptive and context-
specific solutions. Bangladesh’s experience shows that
structured public–private partnerships can enhance
urban governance and waste services. Lessons Figure 1. The study area’s map
33
from such examples can inform recovery planning in
conflict-affected areas, where institutional rebuilding Gola-Genahti to the east, Tabia Sasun to the south,
must go hand-in-hand with service delivery and long- Tabia Beati-Maymesanu to the north, and Tabia Bukot
term sustainability. to the west. Geographically, Adigrat is positioned at
In line with global trends, many Asian countries are latitude 14° 20’ North and longitude 39° 29’ East. The
adopting the 3R principles – reduce, reuse, and recycle city covers a total area of 4,933 hectares. At present,
35
– to transition toward more sustainable waste systems. Adigrat has a population of 90,658 people. 36
34
These efforts are part of a broader shift toward a circular Adigrat covers approximately 4,933 hectares,
economy that aims to decouple economic growth from stretching 5.2 km east–west and 6.8 km north–south.
environmental degradation. Recently, it has expanded to 63 km east–west and
Given this context, this study focuses on post-
war SWM in Adigrat, Ethiopia, to examine current 13 km north–south. An additional 3,055.9 hectares have
practices, identify challenges, and recommend been designated for the city’s 10-year future expansion.
sustainable recovery strategies. Adigrat, like many The city is divided into six kebeles (wards 01 – 06) and
secondary cities, has borne the brunt of war-related lies along the old Mekelle – Adigrat highway, giving it
disruptions in basic services. Understanding its waste an elongated form that limits space and infrastructure
management dynamics in the post-war phase can offer development. 37
broader insights into similar urban contexts undergoing Elevation in Adigrat ranges from 2,530 m in the
recovery and reconstruction. southeast to 2,660 m in the west. High elevations are
mostly in the eastern and western edges, whereas the
2. Methodology proposed expansion zones are lower in elevation. About
36.2% of the town has a slope of <5%, indicating a
38
2.1. Study area majority of the land is suitable for urban development.
The city of Adigrat is located in the Tigray National The city experiences a temperate highland climate,
Regional State, within the Eastern Tigray Zone of which influences both waste decomposition rates
northern Ethiopia. The city is situated 894 km from and drainage dynamics. Field observations showed
Addis Ababa and 114 km from Mekelle, the regional widespread disposal of solid waste in open spaces and
capital (Figure 1). It shares boundaries with several drainage areas throughout the city (Figure 1). The lack
39
neighboring areas: Woreda Gantafeshum Tibia, Tabia of designated disposal sites, combined with limited

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 20 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025090061