Riverside Development: the case of Lah river in Finote Selam town, Amhara Region

Abstract

Riverside development refers to any development along a riversides and water bodies. Riverside developments have several advantages; such as to improve the environmental condition and water quality, providing opportunities for tourism, improve social services, and increase social interaction of the society. Therefore, this study attempts to evaluate the planning, and implementation SP specifically along Lah river and to provide recommendations which address the challenges. The study used a structured open-end and close-end questionnaire, interviews with integration survey data to achieve the intended objectives. 359 respondents are selected using systematic random sampling method and 25 professionals are nominated purposively from different concerned sectoral offices. The finding of the study shows that structure plan is not implemented, due to poor preparation of SP concerning to the local context and also study area had a several activities takes place such as; entrainments, fishing, washing cloths and vehicles, used as illegal slaughter and nowadays the river becomes exposed to polluting due to misusing of the area, lack of awareness, financial constraints, insufficient professional knowledge, absence of collaboration and poor public involvement and lack of planning orders are the most influential factors. Due to this the river missing its symbolic meaning of the town. Therefore, advanced development in budget allocation, capacity building, legal framework, awareness creation and stakeholder’s involvement are needed to promote sustainable riverside development. Finally, this study was given recommendations, case design solution, and formulated strategies.