River Side Neighborhood Development: The Case Of Awash Melkasa Town, Oromia

Abstract

The Town Of Awash Melkasa Is Allocated Along Awash River Specifically On The Artificial Lake Of Awash Hydroelectric Ii Dam At 15km Of Distance From Adama And On Primary Arterial Asphalt Road To Asella. Though The Location Of The Town Is Suitable For Investment And Creating Comfortable Living Neighborhood, The Opportunity Is Not Being Harnessed Yet. The Objective Of The Study Is To Assess The Existing Riverside Development Conditions And Explore A Design Solution That Overcomes The Current Challenges. The Research Used Both Descriptive And Explanatory Methods And Data Was Collected From Primary And Secondary Sources Using Census Surveying Method From Residents In Selected Neighborhood Of The Riverside, Local Tourists, And Different Officials Of The Town Through Purposive Sampling Techniques. The Study Area Survey And Spatial Observation Analysis Of The Riverside Neighborhood Clearly Shows That The Town Of Awash Melkasa Is At A Lower Level Of Basic Infrastructure Provisions, Job Opportunity, Miss Management Of Local Administration With Respect To Land Use Practice Management Along The River Side And Undeveloped Public Spaces. The Study Findings Obtained That A Revitalization In Land Use And Riverside Neighborhood Development Design Intervention Is Necessary So As To Facilitate The Development Of The Study Area And Overcome The Current Challenges That The Neighborhood And The River Edge Area Is Facing. According To The Proposed Solution, A New Development Riverside Neighborhood Is Necessary; The Local Government Should Develop Rules And Regulations To Properly Implement The Riverside Development Plan. Beside Genuine Public Participation Is Mainly Recommended At Different Level To Keep The Buffer Zone Challenges. More Over The Job Opportunities Can Be Created Through Upgrading Riverside Activities For The Jobless Part Of The Community.