Meki SP Physical Study Final

OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE
OROMIA URBAN PLANNING INSTITUTE
MEKI TOWN STRUCTURE PLAN REVISION
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PHYSICAL FEATURES AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES

ASSESSEMENT
BY: BERISO B
JULY, 2022
FINFINNE, OROMIA
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Table of Contents
List of Figure................................................................................................................................................ iv
List of Table .................................................................................................................................................. v
CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Objective of the study ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.1. General objectives ....................................................................................................................... 2
1.2.2. Specific objectives ...................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 .Basic Research questions ................................................................................................................... 2
1.4. Significance of the study .................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Scope of the Study .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.6 Limitation of the study ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.7. Organization of the paper................................................................................................................... 3
1.8. Sources of data ................................................................................................................................... 4
1.9 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.10. Methods of Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 4
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2. REVIEW LITERATURE ......................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Relative Location ................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3. Absolute Location .......................................................................................................................... 8
2.4 Physical Planning: ............................................................................................................................... 9
2.4.1Vision: ......................................................................................................................................... 10
2.4.3 Functions of Physical Planning:..................................................................................................... 10
2.4.4. Importance & Benefits of Physical Planning: ............................................................................... 11
2.5. Site and Situation of Meki ............................................................................................................... 11
2. 5.1 Site ............................................................................................................................................ 11
2.5.2 Site factors contributing to the growth and development of Meki ............................................. 11
2.5.3 Some physical challenges in and the surrounding of Meki ........................................................ 12
2.6 Situation ............................................................................................................................................ 13
2.6.1 The Importance of Site and Situation in Today's Cities ............................................................. 14
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2.7 Location and Sustainable Development: Location is important factor: ............................................ 15
2.8 Area ................................................................................................................................................... 15
2.9 Shape ................................................................................................................................................. 16
2. 10 Canter and Sub-Canter ................................................................................................................... 17
2.10.1 Canter ....................................................................................................................................... 17
2.11. Topography .................................................................................................................................... 22
2.11.1 Altitudinal classification .......................................................................................................... 22
2.12 Climatic Conditions ........................................................................................................................ 26
2.12.1 Temperature ............................................................................................................................. 26
2.12.2 Rainfall ..................................................................................................................................... 28
2.12.3 Wind direction ......................................................................................................................... 30
2.12.4 Drainage ................................................................................................................................... 32
2.12 River ................................................................................................................................................ 33
2.13 Soil .................................................................................................................................................. 34
2.14 Vegetation ....................................................................................................................................... 35
2.15. Future expansion direction ............................................................................................................. 35
2.15.1. Urban Growth to the West ...................................................................................................... 35
2.15.2. Urban Growth to the East........................................................................................................ 36
Urban growth to the east is impossible because the town has a wide agricultural potential area at the
eastern, southeastern bounded by Dambal Lake. .................................................................................... 36
2.15.3. Urban Growth to the South ......................................................................................................... 36
CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 40
3.1 General Market ................................................................................................................................. 40
2.10.1 Market Hierarchy ..................................................................................................................... 40
3.1.2 Cattle market .............................................................................................................................. 41
3.2 Bus Terminal and Freight Terminal .................................................................................................. 44
3.3. Freight Transport ............................................................................................................................. 45
3.3.1. The components of an airport ................................................................................................... 46
3.3.2. Airport Site Selection ................................................................................................................ 46
3.4. Congestion and Car Accidents ......................................................................................................... 48
3.5. Transportation of the Study town..................................................................................................... 49
3.5.1. Intra-urban transport ................................................................................................................. 49
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3.5.2. Inter-urban Transport ................................................................................................................ 50
3.6. Road ................................................................................................................................................. 50
3.7. Natural and Man-made Constraints for future Development of the Town ...................................... 51
3.8. Public utilities of Meki town............................................................................................................ 52
3.5.1. Electric services ........................................................................................................................ 52
4.1. Planning issues and Recommendations ........................................................................................... 53
List of Figure
Figure 1 : Astronomical location of Meki Town ............................................................................ 9
Figure 2: Rapid urban growth triad ............................................................................................... 15
Figure 3: Shape of Meki Town ..................................................................................................... 17
Figure 4: concept of concentric and polycentric ........................................................................... 20
Figure 5: Urban connectivity ....................................................................................................... 20
Figure 6: Meki town Proposed sub center .................................................................................... 21
Figure 7: DEM of Meki Town ...................................................................................................... 23
Figure 8: Slope distribution of Meki town .................................................................................... 24
Figure 9: Dominating wind direction of town .............................................................................. 32
Figure 10: Protective Buffer along Water Bodies and Forest ....................................................... 34
Figure 11: Future expansion direction of Meki Town ................................................................. 37
Figure 12: Incompatibility of land uses from previous plan ......................................................... 39
Figure 13: Proposed fruit and vegetable Market Town ............................................................... 41
Figure 14: Proposed Bus station of Meki town ............................................................................ 45
Figure 15: Natural and manmade Constraint Map of Meki Town................................................ 51
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List of Table
Table 1: Slope Patterns and their Development Suitability .......................................................... 25

Table 2: Slope Classification and Area Covered in Percent in Meki town .................................. 26
Table 3: Distribution of Mean monthly minimum temperature of Meki Town ........................... 28
Table 4: Ethiopian Climatic Zone ................................................................................................. 28
Table 5: Monthly Rainfall (mm) ................................................................................................... 30
Table 6: Market hierarchy and location ........................................................................................ 40
Table 7: Livestock market standard .............................................................................................. 43
Table 8: Maximum building height in aviation restricted zone .................................................... 48
Table 9: Car Accidents by types ................................................................................................... 49
Table 10: Electric service 2022..................................................................................................... 52
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CHAPTER ONE
1.1. INTRODUCTION
The growth and development of an urban center has to create and promote conducive and
sustainable economy, social and environment for urban dwellers. The growth and diversity of
population will determine future sound progress. The capacity town and potential of future
growth of town is to attract and maintain to satisfy urban dwellers as well as new comers for
them to work and live in it. In spite of striving and struggling of all stakeholders for growth and
development, the town has also faced wide dimension of opportunities and challenges.
The growth of the Meki town has generated from the urbanization of universal share common
conditions in range of opportunities in economic, social and cultural. The town has engines of
economic growth and creates livelihood opportunities for diverse religious and sub-cultural
groups and communities for making life. Challenges, on the other hand are numerous, range
from the complexity of providing equitable economic opportunities and access to social services
to all, to securing safe places and making the urban environment healthy and sustainable. The
town of Meki reflects these dynamics which encompassing most of the economic prospects,
livelihood opportunities and services and accommodating for a diverse population that reflects
the different religious and sectarian belongings, socio-economic groups, cultures and also
nationalities. This has contribution to enriching the cultural diversity in the town.
The growth of Meki town presents enormous challenges to the government. Not only for the
markets essential for the prosperity of rural areas, but they can also provide additional economic
growth, opportunities, and improved access to education and health for the surrounding region.
Town planning is a scientific art of ordering the use of land and site of building and
communication routes so as to secure the maximum degree of economy. It aims at securing of a
sensible and accepted blend of conservation and exploitation of land as the background or stage
for human activity. The main objective of this study was to assess the existing conditions of
Meki town in relation with its physical settings, historical background and socio-economic
aspects. An over – arching aim of the government, as expressed in the 2008 Proclamation for
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urban planning, is to promote a balanced urban growth with a multi – centered and urban system
developed at regional level through small, medium –sized and large towns as market, service and
economic centers. This is realized through the preparation of urban plans.
One of the ultimate goals of urban plan preparation and implementation is allocation of plots for
various land use functions. Allocation of plot for various functions ought to be carried out in an
orderly and rational manner in order to ensure not only consistency but also efficient utilization
of the scare resource of land. The establishment and use of minimum desirable standards are
essential if development is to proceed in an orderly and rational manner and the most efficient
and productive use is to be made of land resources. Needless to say, land uses in a structure plan
ought to be proposed taking in to account compatibility of adjacent land uses or compatibility of
different land uses which would be proposed close to each other. To this end, the physical study
at urban level has a paramount importance in identifying such incompatible land uses and link to
standards.
1.2 Objective of the study

1.2.1. General objectives
The general objective of this study is to understand the existing conditions of physical features
and municipal services in the town and investigating of planning issues and recommends
planning solutions that are used as an input in the preparation of the structure plan of Meki.
1.2.2. Specific objectives

 identify location potentials;
 examine plan related problems of municipal services;
 identify main center, and sub-center
 identify very steep slopes and excessively plain areas;
 identify natural and manmade constraints for future growth;
 Propose planning solution to improve the issues.
1.3 .Basic Research questions

Based on the above objectives this research answers the following basic research questions.
 How to identify the location potentials?
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 How to examine plan related problems of municipal services?
 How to identify main centre and sub-centre?
 How to identify the slope of the town and its plain areas?
 What is the natural and man-made constraint for future growth of the town?
 How to proposing planning solution to improving the issues?
1.4. Significance of the study

The study could provide wider opportunities to know the role of structural plan in response to
reduce the existing problems in the town. It was also help full for other researchers who were
invented to study related issue. Generally this study was useful in the following ways. The result
of this study will be basic tool for the local community to solve the problem of the town in terms
of physical aspect and socio-economic problems; to motivate people to take care for the town
through awareness creation and provision to know about the paper use of urban planning.
1.5 Scope of the Study

The scope of physical and municipal assessment is limited to the planning boundary both
existing and expansion areas of Meki town that covers an area of 3282 hectares of land (OUPI,
surveying 2022 G.C). The assessment includes all the physical issues of site and situation,
topography, climate, and municipal services of Meki.
1.6 Limitation of the study

There was many factors in this study, some of them were; lack of time and shortage of money to
widen sample size. In adequate data sources in municipal office and governmental office,
particularly about data to climate, population, vegetation and type of soil, lack of current
literature in local library. This limitation is overcome by using time properly, asking people who
have enough information about the study area problems and using money in efficiently.
1.7. Organization of the paper

This study organized in six chapters. The first chapter deals with the introductory part that
contains background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research
questions, significance, scope and limitation of the study. The second chapter is about review of
related literature. The third chapter is about municipal service assessment analysis. Chapter four
is about finding, recommendation and reference.
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1.8. Sources of data
The sources of data were both primary and secondary sources. The primary data sources were
mainly obtained through field observations in the existing and expansion areas. During filed
observation the base map prepared for preparation of the structure plan of Meki town(sep,2022)
was used and the physical and the municipal services were up dated or cross checked with those
on the ground and validated for the analysis.
In addition to the primary data sources secondary data were gathered from Meki town
Municipality, sector offices of such as trade, market and transport, and Ethiopian Electric
Service. Digital elevation model 30 meter was also utilized to analyze topographic elements
within the town boundary. Climate analysis was based on data obtained from Meteorological
data obtained from National Meteorological Agency. On the other hand, there are also secondary
data sources obtained from different reference books both in hard and soft copy (internet
sources) formats.
1.9 Methodology
The spatial data for the preparation of the base map of Meki town was collected through ground
survey using total station, differential GPS, recent aerial photo (March, 2022). For topographic
elements (Contour, Slope, and elevation) analysis GIS tools were used and planning inputs were
obtained both for the physical and municipal services that are used in the revision of Meki town.
Important maps like contour map, slope map, constraint map, altitude range map, Meki
Neighborhood-center map and etc. are prepared using GIS software tools. Data is also expressed
by graphs, figures and tables. Handheld GPS was also used to identify and show location of
paces on maps.
1.10. Methods of Data Analysis

Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used .For topographic elements (Contour, Slope
and elevation) analysis GIS and CAD software were used. Important maps like contour map,
slope map, altitude range map of the town are prepared by using GIS software tools.
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CHAPTER TWO
2. REVIEW LITERATURE
There are various terms used to describe the general structure plan process, including Master
Planning, Development Framework Plan etc. While the nature of these plans may differ slightly
depending on the primary focus and scale of the plan, the overall structure planning analysis
process is largely the same.
A structure plan is a framework to guide the development or redevelopment of an area by

defining the future development and land use patterns, areas of open space, the layout and nature
of infrastructure (including transportation links), and other key features and constraints that
influence how the effects of development are to be managed.
Structure plans comprise one or more maps, plans or diagrammatic representations of the
proposed layout, features, character and links for areas being developed or redeveloped. The
maps or plans in structure plans do not typically go into such detail as to define individual lot
boundaries or the physical form of buildings and structures. The maps, plans or representations
are usually supported by text explaining the background to the issues that initiated the structure
plan and the approaches to manage those issues (Roseland 1997:197-198).
Issues that may be managed through a structure plan pertaining physical planning include:
 Urban consolidation and greenfield expansion
 The type and location of land uses that will be permitted, including development type,
density and staging
 Multi-modal transport links and connectivity (such as road, rail, sea and air links, public
transport, cycle and pedestrian access)
 The location, type, scale and staging of infrastructure required to service an area,
including storm water, water and sewerage
 Integration of new development and growth with infrastructure and existing urban
development
 Landscape character and amenity
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 Reserves and open space networks
 Natural hazards
 The provision of community facilities
 The protection of sites, features or values (which may be cultural, ecological, historical or
amenity related)
 Areas of contamination
 Provision and location of network utilities.
The planning process in urban areas tends to be more complex and prone to conflict and
contestation. Land values are higher, property ownership is more complex, and flexibility to
change land uses is often more limited. It is important to acknowledge that land use planning is
going through a paradigm shift across the world. From an earlier, purist approach of exclusive
zones for specific uses (e.g., residential, commercial), there is a shift toward appropriate mixes of
compatible uses (e.g., residential with small businesses, institutional with offices). From an
earlier approach of flat, low-density urban development, there is a shift toward more compact
cities with variable density correlated with urban transport systems.
Other distinctive characteristics of urban planning include the following.
 Developed or built-up areas predominate. Therefore, the land use plan needs to reflect
and plan for diverse land uses.
 The demand for infrastructure will be higher (in both quantitative and qualitative terms)
and the provision of infrastructure more complex and costly. Therefore, housing
reconstruction must be closely coordinated with the development of infrastructure.
 Urban land use planning has an immediate and highly visible impact on urban land
values. Therefore, a transparent approach to planning is essential.
 Urban areas are more likely to have agencies that undertake planning and regulation as
well as professionals for design and supervision.
 Investments in urban settlements and infrastructure during reconstruction should
contribute to already establish urban development goals.
 Development control and regulation systems are usually present in urban areas but tend
to be flawed and complicated, creating high incentives for noncompliance.
 The major physical planning concerns are:
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2.1. Ecological considerations for land use planning
Examine the impacts of local decisions in a regional context.
Plan for long-term change and unexpected events.
Preserve rare landscape elements, critical habitats, and associated species.
Avoid land uses that deplete natural resources over a broad area.
Retain large contiguous or connected areas that contain critical habitats.
Minimize the introduction and spread of non-native species.
Avoid or compensate for effects of development on ecological processes.
a. Implement land-use and -management practices that are compatible with the natural potential
2.1.2. Concerned about the regional nature of urban policy
This principle expresses the fact that urban policy is integrally incorporated into regional policy and into the policy
of economic, social and territorial cohesion.
2.1.3. Polycentric development of the population pattern
One of the problems of developments in the population structure is a tendency towards the
excessive concentration of development activities in a few large urban centers. In this respect,
the purpose of promoting polycentric development is to ensure that the growth and development
of these urban areas does not progress at the expense of other medium-sized and smaller towns.
2.1.4. Strategic and integrated approach to urban development
Competitive towns must provide their citizens with adequate opportunities, services and quality of life, based on
efficient transportation, reasonable infrastructure, and a healthy environment.
2.1.5. Promotion of the development of towns as development poles in a territory
Sustainable urban development is determined by three dimensions economic prosperity, a sound environment and
social cohesion.
2.2 Relative Location

Relative location expresses the location of places with reference to the location of other places or
Water bodies. Meki town is located in the southern part of Ethiopia and also Oromia National
Regional State. It is located at 118 km from the regional capital Finfinne/Addis Ababa/. Meki
town is administrative center of Dugda woreda.
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The town shared common border lines with the vicinal rural villages of Jawwee Bofo and Fila in
the north, Qorke Adi and Girisa in the south, Shubi Gamo and Baqale in the east and Giraba and
Oda in the west.
2.3. Absolute Location

Astronomical location of a place is its absolute location on the surface of the earth as described
by Geographical or International Grid reference method. This method states position of places
using the lines of latitudes and longitudes. Astronomically Meki town extends from 8° 07' 0" N
to 8° 10' 47" N latitudes and 38° 47' 35" E to 38° 51' 2" E longitudes. In projected or local
coordinates the town is located 477218 to 483530 meters Easting and 897123 to 904091 meters
Northing.
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Figure 1 : Astronomical location of Meki Town
Source: Prepared from Oromia GIS Data, 2022
2.4 Physical Planning:
 Physical Planning in its broadest sense refers to a set of actions aimed at improving the
Physical, Social and Economic welfare of a place and its dwellers.
 It entails the organization of land uses so that people enjoy the highest achievable degree
of efficiency in resource utilization, functionality of places and aesthetic quality.
 The main concerns of Urban Planning therefore include spatial orderliness, aesthetics of
the urban places, efficiency of operations in the social, economic and other arena, and
most importantly, man‘s well-being.
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2.4.1Vision:
To attain orderly, progressive, sustainable urban and rural development as a framework for
industrialization; provision of social and physical infrastructure, agriculture modernization and
therefore poverty eradication.
2.4.2. Mission:
 To ensure adequately planned land utilization, by developing policy framework, provide

technical support, monitor and supervise plan formulation and implementation.
 To enhance economic development.
 To plan cities and towns.
 To facilitate the provision of infrastructure, utilities and services
 To create order where there is chaos.
 Creation of beauty.
 To reduce psychological stress.
 To create a conducive environment for all.
 Conservation of aesthetics.
2.4.3 Functions of Physical Planning:

To initiate, formulate and review the National Land Use Policy.
National and regional planning
Standard setting.
Technical support to local authorities
Technical and administrative support to the Town and Country Planning Board
Review of the legal framework for physical planning in the country.
Inspection and monitoring all land based developments in the country to ensure that they
conform to approve planning schemes, laws and regulation.
To monitor the manner of utilization and development of land by various ministries and
organizations to ensure compliance with national policies, standards and plans.
To liaise with local and international organizations including NGOs those have relevance
to physical planning.
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2.4.4. Importance & Benefits of Physical Planning:
Helpful in the fight against urban and rural poverty.
Helps to address environmental problems.
Helps to maximize the use of land and other resources.
Facilitates orderly development.
Introduces beauty in our settlements.
Separates incompatible land uses.
Eases service provision.
Plans can be used as a fundraising tool.
Helps to improve property values.
Deals with natural selfishness among developers and thus reduces nuisances.
Helps conserve/preserve important features/areas.
Sensitization of the public in support of development efforts.
Protects water catchment areas and protects underground water reserves.
2.5. Site and Situation of Meki

2. 5.1 Site
The site is the actual location of a settlement on the earth and is composed of the physical
characteristics of the landscape specific to the area. Site factors include things like landforms,
climate, vegetation types, and availability of water, soil quality, minerals, and even wild life.
2.5.2 Site factors contributing to the growth and development of Meki
2.5.2.1 Physical setting
 Fertile land.
 Natural resource potentials (rocks, sand, soil and etc.)
2.5.2.2 Climate
 Reliable summer rainfall.

 Micro level modification of climate on the surrounding ridges due to higher elevation
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2.5.2.3 Economic factors
Nodal point (a point in a network at which roads intersect or branch)

Crossed by Truck road (class I) that start from center of the country Addis
Ababa/Finfinne to another Zone and roads terminating at international
boundaries.
Example: node to Adama, Batu and Shashemene, Commercial route way
High way to Eastern, south eastern and southern parts of the country
Closer to national and international markets
Natural Resources
Construction materials
Surface water potential spatially
Agricultural produces: Crop production especially crop like Maize and wheat and
fruits and vegetables
2.5.3 Some physical challenges in and the surrounding of Meki
 flatten Terrain
 Wetland(Swampy)
 Gully erosion
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2.6 Situation
Situation is defined as the location of a place relative to its surroundings, other places and water
bodies. Factors included in an area's situation are the accessibility of the location, the extent of a
place's connections with another, and how close an area may be to raw materials if they are not
located specifically on the site.
Situation Factors that contributes for the development of Meki

 Accessible to construction materials like sand, stone, and etc.
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 Route center towards eastern, South, central and southeastern parts of the country Close
to national and international markets.
 Near to excess crop producing zones and districts of koka, Mojo and eastern shewa
2.6.1 The Importance of Site and Situation in Today's Cities

An area's site and situation play a significant role in its development both within its own
boundaries and in the country. As nations around the world continue to develop, their sites and
situations will play a large role in whether or not they will be successful and though today's ease
of transportation and new technologies such as the Internet are bringing nations closer together,
the physical landscape of an area as well as its location in relation to its desired market will still
play a large role in whether or not such areas will grow to become the next great town in the
country and the world town. Accordingly, the site and situation of Meki has a significant role for
its own development, the surrounding areas, the region and the nation as a whole
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Figure 2: Rapid urban growth triad
2.7 Location and Sustainable Development: Location is important factor:
―sustainable‖ space for sustainable development
unambiguously and categorically possessing of Geographic Space
space and development are the two sides of the same coin of societal concern
therefore providing site plan (location of plot) for dweller owned plot of land
contributes to sustainable development
2.8 Area
The structure plan of Meki town was prepared in 2004C E .C and the planning boundary covers
land area of 2627.32hectares. The current structure plan revision of Meki town increases the area
of the town to 3282hectares (OUPI, surveying 2022 G.C). The current structure plan of the town
expands physically 654.68 hectares. Implies that Meki town not efficiently used their planning
boundary it showed that not tremendous physical growth. However, almost all economic
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activities, business, commercial, administrative functions, transport infrastructures, social
services and etc. are concentrated at the downtown (CBD) and intermediate parts of the town.
The main factors for the rapid growth of Meki town briefly explained in the following figure.
2.9 Shape
There are varieties of compactness measures hectares-perimeter measurement approach is used.
C=
Where (C) is the compactness values (P) perimeter: is squared to remove the scaling effect, and,
(A) is the area of shape .The values of C ranges between 0 and 1. A shape with high value of C is
considered to be more compact than a shape with lower C. A circle is the most compact shape
and it will have a compactness value of 1.
Perimeter (P) of Meki structural plan is 32818.994467 meter and area (A) is 65167712m2.
( )
⁼ =1
The area-perimeter measurement approach for Meki structure plan boundary has compactness
measure of 1unit which implies it is less compact shape. The compact unit is bigger the average
distance between any two point stand, this is true in Meki .Therefore, to minimize the impact of
distance, time and cost for travel from one point to the other point fair distribution of
infrastructures and establishing additional sub-centres at suitable area to minimize commuting
and increase livability and have faire distribution of land uses that activate a given locality
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Figure 3: Shape of Meki Town
Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022
2. 10 Canter and Sub-Canter

2.10.1 Canter
The pattern of centrality and dispersal in major cities around the world has under- gone three
important transformations over the past two centuries. The first, from the walking town to the
mono-centric town, began with the advent of the omnibus and the horse car—an omnibus on
rails—in the later decades of the nineteenth century. In the historic walking town, workplaces
and residences were interspersed at uniformly high densities. In the mono centric town, spatial
segregation of residences and workplaces began to occur. Both remained concentrated at high
densities in the town center, but some residences began to disperse to the periphery at rapidly
decreasing densities as distance from the center increased. A second and less radical
transformation the decentralization of the mono centric town began in the early years of the
twentieth century with the introduction of trolleys and commuter railroads. The overall spatial
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Structure remained the same as the town expanded outward. It was still a mono centric town, but
residential densities no longer declined at a rapid pace with distance from the town center. They
now declined at a slower pace, as the low-density suburban periphery was gradually filled in and
rebuilt at higher densities. A third and more radical transformation, from the mono centric to the
polycentric town, began in the middle decades of the twentieth century with the rapid increase in
the use of cars, buses, and trucks. Trucks, in particular, allowed for the dispersal of industrial
workplaces, but commercial and service workplaces in most cities remained concentrated in
central areas. The current urban growth of Meki town is characterized by centralization and
horizontal expansion, which means that development activities usually spread along sides of the
main roads that connect the town center and residential areas. For example: around the main
center, from Meki town Administration office to commercial Bank, Tele communication, and,
different residential areas and etc , are concentrated in the centers. Another problem regarding to
mono centric in Meki town is that highly overcrowded and traffic congestion .This centralization
or mono-centric development pattern caused many impacts and problems to the town,
particularly intensive downtown traffic, dense administrative functions and economic activities
away from the residential districts and the new expansion areas.
In the light of the expected Meki town development and population growth, the downtown area
and its current economic axes may fail to satisfy the future demand on employment opportunities
and other requirements of good life. Meki town structure plan should adopt decentralization of
pulled activities through establishment of sub-centers to distribute the economic activities,
administrative services, and housing among new residential areas.
The development of road network and transportation causes population and employment
decentralization. Transportation inﬂuences the spatial pattern of decentralized employment by
the emergence of sub-centers
The formation of these sub-centers could change the linear center growth of the town. Linear
centers are formed and found at the foci of cities and towns, are today strung out along the
highways of the region, forming the so-called commercial strip. Commercial, institutional,
service, office, industrial and warehouse functions all locate her. Strip exhibit congested traffic
and a shabby environment, and yet are one of the most visible features of the public town. They
are universally condemned.
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Each sub-center serves as sector of the town and represents a hub for high quality basic services
and activities offered to the residents within each sub-town. These centers are expected to
provide public and private jobs including the administrative and government center, and the
economic activities, offices, companies, banks, housing centers, social, cultural and
entertainment services in addition to densely populated center. Therefore, to accelerate the
vibrant growth of Meki town in addition to the main center other sub-centers should be not such
important because the town is compacted and not fulfill sub- center criteria, proposed road
network in order to support the town connectivity with periphery to bring about balanced town
development. The current urban growth of Meki town is characterized by centralization and
horizontal expansion, which means that development activities usually spread along sides of the
main roads that connect the town center and residential areas. Meki town structure plan should
adopt decentralization of pulled activities through establishment of road network to distribute the
economic activities, administrative services, and housing among new residential areas.
Therefore, to accelerate the vibrant growth of Meki town in addition to the main center other
Neighborhood center should be proposed in order to support the town center to bring about
balanced town development. The current urban growth of Meki town is characterized by
centralization and horizontal expansion, which means that development activities usually spread
along sides of the main roads that connect the town center and residential areas. Therefore, Meki
town structure plan should adopt decentralization of pulled activities through establishment of
Neighborhood center to distribute the economic activities, administrative services, and housing
among new residential areas
19
Figure 4: concept of concentric and polycentric
Figure 5: Urban connectivity
20
Figure 6: Meki town Proposed sub center
21
2.11. Topography
2.11.1 Altitudinal classification
The relief of Meki town is somewhat a hindrance for infrastructure development. This is because
of suitable topography except few areas that have rugged topography. The elevation of Meki
town ranges from 1683 to 1610 meters. This implies that there is no large altitudinal variation
(73meters) between the lowest and highest points of the town from where flush water originates
affecting areas with low elevation. To minimize flood risks of the town, areas that are along the
edges of seasonal streams or marshy areas should be protected and restricted for settlement. It is
also vital to protect the highest spot or landmark of the town as it serves as watershed. Thus, the
highest spot (landmark) of the town that is found in the northeastern extreme of the town should
be proposed for recreation to protect the area from any incompatible uses and to enjoy the
scenery of the town from this sit
22
Figure 7: DEM of Meki Town
23
Figure 8: Slope distribution of Meki town

Slope (gradient or grade) is the measure of steepness or the degree of inclination of a feature
relative to the horizontal plane. Slope analysis is an important component of site selection. It is
an analytical process made on topographic map to make appropriate match between land uses
and slopes and produces an overall pattern of slopes which helps the site planner in determining
the buildable portion of the site. Slope is critical factor to developers. Level land is the most
economical to develop. As slope become steeper, costs increase because of the amount of
earthwork that becomes necessary to construct roads, utilities, and pads for buildings. Slope
analysis involves breaking down of topography in to different categories which will establish the
desired patterns for a given land use. The slope categories were established based on Ministry of
Urban Development and Construction, revised structure plan manual, May, 2012 and Pine Nut
24
Allotments (NV) Land Use and Development Plan 4 Working Paper – Land Use Suitability
analysis, Jan, 2009.
The gradient of land has an effect up on the economic activity of an area and determines the land
use pattern of the given site. According to the standard set there are seven categories of urban
land slope value in percentage. The first category of slope value is 0 – 2% and this slope is found
in north east areas and in eastern areas of the site in little amount. It covers about 441.83hectares
of land and where it found in wide coverage agricultural land and water body of Swamp Meki.
The second category of slope is 2 – 5% and this slope value covers 791.67 hectares of land of the
site this slope is found in East ,south west and northeast, since it has little inclination of gradient
it is better than the slope value of 0 -2%. The other slope value of the site is 5 –10% and this
kind of slope is dominantly found in central to the south direction and north of the site, generally
at the centers of the town. It covers about 1538.98 hectares of land and better for constructional
development than the above slope values. The slope value of 10– 15% is also found in the site
and it covers 456.28 hectares of land. It found in north east, center and south-east of the site. The
other category of slope value is 15 -20% and it dominantly found in few areas of southwest,
north and northwest part of the site. It covers 50.2 hectares of land of the project site. The other
type of the slope value of this site is above 20% and this type of slope is found in the east,
southeast and where the gorge is found. It covers 3.04 hectares of land of the project site. See the
following map and table.
Table 1: Slope Patterns and their Development Suitability
Slope category (%) Description Development Suitability
1-5 Generally flat Highly buildable
5-10 Gently rolling Moderately Buildable
10-15 Gentle to mild slopes Moderately difficult to build
15-20 Mild to steep slopes Difficult to Build
20 and above Harsh, steep slopes Unbuildable
25
Table 2: Slope Classification and Area Covered in Percent in Meki town
Slope Category Area (Ha) % share Interpretation

%)
0–2 441.83 13.462 Subjected for flooding and water
stagnation (good for urban
agriculture)
2–5 791.67 24.121 All municipal services, basic social
and infrastructure services
5 – 10 1538.98 46.891 Any land use proposal, but best for
residence
10 - 15 456.28 13.902 For residence and organized play
ground
15 – 20 50.2 1.529 Forest development, agro forestry,
recreation
>20 3.04 0.0926 Excessive slope for urban
development activities (Left for
conservation)
Total 3282 100
Source: Bell (1983); GIS Analysis and Planning Manual, 2012
2.12 Climatic Conditions

The only data types obtained for the analysis of climatic condition of Meki town is temperature
and rainfall data. The monthly and annual temperature data is found from National Meteorology
Agency.
2.12.1 Temperature
Since Ethiopia is a tropical country theoretically temperature is supposed to be uniformly high
throughout the year but this condition is modified by the existing relief of the area. Thus in
Ethiopia temperature distribution is affected to greater extent by variation in altitude than

latitude. Accordingly, the mean annual temperature of the town is about 22.40c (Nearest
26
Metrological station-Batu Town) conventionally this is characteristic of sub-tropical climate.
Thus, the mean maximum and minimum monthly and mean annual temperature of the study
town is summarized as seen in. The analysis of mean monthly minimum and maximum and
mean average annual temperature of the town shows that the town has experienced a hot
temperature that can be categorized in the temperate/ sub-tropical climatic zone. Therefore, to
make the environment more comfort good amount of land should allotted to urban
Greenery and, Meki town has warm temperature that to a lesser extent needs room cooling
intervention whenever the temperature tends to rise above 22.40c. Apart from this, proposing
land for residential purposes should be carried out by considering maintenance of optimum
temperature to get adequate humidity. For this case, the use of a maximum plot size standard is
recommended.
27
Table 3: Distribution of Mean monthly minimum temperature of Meki Town
mean monthly temperature (In Degree Celsius)
Winter Spring Summer Autumn
Year J F M A M J J A S O N D Year
2003 11.6 14.0 14.0 13.2 12.9 12.2 12.1 12.2 11.1 10.5 6.3 5.7 11.3
2004 7.3 7.2 12.4 12.3 12.2 12.0 11.7 11.0 11.2 11.3 7.2 4.9 10.1
2005 4.2 4.3 7.3 10.7 10.0 10.9 11.0 10.7 10.1 9.5 6.5 5.5 8.5
2006 6.7 9.1 13.1 11.7 13.4 13.3 13.6 13.4 12.3 11.5 9 8.5 11.3
2007 10.7 10.4 13.6 13 12.8 13 12.9 12.3 11.9 11.2 8.8 11.9 11.9
2008 10.6 11.5 13 13.2 12.1 12.1 13 12.6 12.3 9.5 8.8 8.5 11.4
2009 12 11.2 11.1 13.5 12.7 13.4 12.8 13 11.3 8.9 7.6 4.2 11
2010 7.2 8.1 12.3 11.9 11.7 12.3 12.8 12.7 12.2 10.9 7.8 6.7 10.6
2011 9.3 11.0 12.1 11 12.2 10.4 9.7 13.0 11.3 10.6 7.5 5.7 10.3
2012 8.0 9.1 9.9 9.8 9.2 9.3 8.3 9.6 8.6 6.2 5.2 4.7 8.2
8.8 10 11.9 12 11.9 11.9 11.8 12.1 11.2 10 7.5 6.6 10.5
MMMT
Seasonal 8.5 11.9 11.9 9.6
Source: Ethiopian Meteorological Agency, 2003-2012
Table 4: Ethiopian Climatic Zone
Climate Zone Elevation Average Average

Temperature(0c) rainfall in(mm)
Wurch(cold) >3200 <10 <800

Dega(cool-cold) 2300-3200 10-16 1000-2000
Weina dega(warm-cool) 1500-2300 16-20 1200
Kolla(hot-warm) 500-1500 20-28 600
Berha(hot) <500 28-34 <400
Source: ERA site investigation in manual, 2018
2.12.2 Rainfall
Meki town is characterized by bimodal type of rainfall with mean annual rainfall of 86.4mm. It
occurs during autumn and spring. During this time, wind blows from Indian Ocean to most
28
southeastern lowlands and highlands of Ethiopia bringing rainfall to the region. The town and
the hinterland areas also get rainfall during the rainy season although the amount is smaller than
rainfall of autumn and spring. Refer to the table below. The rainfall coefficient is found to be
above 60% that indicated consistency and reliability of annual rainfall in the study area.
Therefore, the climatic condition of Meki town shows that the temperature is free of any
discomforting living and working environment. However, as it is cooler in certain months of the
year, it is better to use the lowest standard size of plots for residential development in order to
create dense settlement per neighborhoods. On the other hand, the presence of adequate annual
rainfall is likely to endow the town with different potential resources related to urban agriculture
activities, surface and groundwater potentials, and the like. Thus, proposing ample area for urban
agriculture, conducting watershed management practices along ridges and proposing of buffer
zone along river banks as well as protection of flooding and conservation of wetlands are
recommended to be incorporated in the spatial land-use plan.
29
Table 5: Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2001 5.5 0.0 28.5 2.4 44.2 110.3 85.0 63.8 72.0 133.8 0.0 0.0
2002 0.0 0.0 3.0 65.2 97.3 34.0 215.5 95.7 106.9 31.1 1.2 24.2
2003 0.0 0.0 107.8 28.2 131.7 78.3 137.4 130.6 54.6 0.1 0.0 1.8
2004 12.0 21.8 37.9 55.6 51.1 48.0 94.6 73.6 61.7 0.0 0.0 1.3
2005 21.2 0.3 98.0 127.1 21.3 82.9 221.7 156.7 101.0 0.0 3.2 17.4
2006 92.0 0.8 23.8 150.3 0.0 94.1 176.7 129.6 92.7 10.9 2.7 0.0
2007 35.3 14.3 48.4 100.8 184 55.4 103 91.5 140.2 4.6 1.4 0.0
2008 1.0 15.8 39.1 197.5 45.0 137.9 185.6 65.0 72.8 9.5 0.0 7.3
2009 10.5 46.1 22.7 59.6 166 137 195.1 83.3 59.3 22.7 1.6 0
2010 0 0.4 8.7 2.2 80.3 112.2 292.3 194.2 62.6 65.0 224.2 x
2011 64.8 0.0 51.0 11.9 55.3 50.5 187.1 79.4 60.6 136.1
AARF 24.23 9.95 46.89 80.08 87.62 94.06 189.4 116.3 88.44 41.38 23.43 5.2
Source: Ethiopian Meteorological Agency
From 2001 to 2011, the town has got average annual rainfall of 667.7mm. The annual rainfall
distribution indicates that the highest rainfall occurs between Jun to September months which
enables the town to be categorized under big rainfall places of the country.) and light rain is in
spring season (March to May)
2.12.3 Wind direction

Wind direction is the direction from where wind starts to blow. It is important to determine the
site for location of pollutant industries in structure plan preparation. Calm air is the dominant air
in Meki town. The direction of winds is one of the determining factors to the location of waste
disposal sites. According to the information obtained from structural plan preparation report of
30
Meki town, the movement of the prevailing wind of the town is controlled by pressure blow or
created from high to low areas. Such pressure is actually shifted with overhead sun in the
country. As a result the most prevailing wind of the area in general and Meki town in particular
is 45- 90 degree, about 90 degree, 90–180 degree and in some case shows 340– 360 degree. This
actually varies season to season as result of atmospheric air pressure. Thus broadly speaking the
most prevailing winds of the town supposed to easterly wind.
Therefore, the selection of new dumping site or improving the existing to the level of modern
sanitary land fill and abattoir should be recommended to be located in the northwestern periphery
of the town.
31
Figure 9: Dominating wind direction of town
2.12.4 Drainage
There is no permanent river flowing across the town. But there are seasonal streams originating
From the highest points of the town and the nearby areas. These streams generally flow from northeast to
south and from northwest to south directions. Therefore, the edges of these Streams should be conserved
or used for urban agricultural with exception to those areas which are important ground water potential
sites. Besides, those incompatible land uses along the edges of the streams like lavajo should be relocated
to other areas by considering compatibility with other land uses and ground water potential and stream
32
2.12 River
There is river crossing the town from north to south which can be seen as natural potential.
However, the river bank is encroached by resident settlements and urban agriculture activities.
These settlements activities dispose both solid and liquid waste which currently polluted the
rivers. The pollution of this river contaminates farming areas in the south affecting large number
of peasant families. The water bodies cover an area of 11.58 hectares that is 0.48% out of the
total land use.
Protective Buffer along Water Bodies and Forest
One of the major green area proposals of the structure plan is to demarcate protective forest and
buffer. Sloppy areas, Mountain areas and environmental sensitive areas will be covered.
Covering with protective forest has the following main advantages. Under protective and buffer
no construction is allowed. Afforesting the area with selected species of trees are the only
allowed task in this sub land use category. Though, the type of vegetation differs from one area
to other, natural resource area like water resource, wetland must kept protected from
environmental degradation. Hence, the structure plan of the town tries to protect the natural
source area by putting the resources under protective forest and buffer.
33
Figure 10: Protective Buffer along Water Bodies and Forest
2.13 Soil
The soil of Meki town ranges from reddish brown to grey. It is deep soil and loose with small
clayey character. Therefore, the soil is good for the growth of different types of crops like
Barley, Wheat and crops like Bean and oil crop should be cultivated if water for irrigation is
available. To this end, areas around the edges of major streams except those areas of ground
water potential where the deep wells of the town are found, should be used for urban agriculture
The loose nature of the soil has difficulty concerning erosion. Thus, appropriate soil erosion
34
management methods should be practiced to minimize soil erosion especially during the rainy
season.
2.14 Vegetation
Natural vegetation of any area is the result of climate, soil, topography and human influence.
The different vegetation types of the town include Pod carpus, junipers, acacia, oleo, avocado,
mango and other artificial trees like eucalyptus are common because of the agro-climatic
condition of the Town. At the present time, these natural vegetation are being replaced by
secondary vegetation especially Eucalyptus tree. Eucalyptus tree has an impact on the ecology of
the town and the hinterland by aggravating the rate of soil erosion and absorbing much amount
of ground water. Thus, eucalyptus tree should not be planted especially along the edges of
streams and in areas where there is high potential of ground water potential. In few areas of the
town as in most inaccessible areas natural vegetation are common. In order to conserve these
areas and benefit from the natural vegetation it is important to propose urban zoo in the town.
The area suitable for urban zoo in Meki town is the one that is found east of the current water
reservoir. The area is selected for urban zoo because of the presence of variety of indigenous
natural vegetation in the site, to conserve the ground water potential found in the nearby area,
steeper slope for other land uses, the presence of wild life and natural vegetation conservation
office and the presence of agricultural research office in the town.
2.15. Future expansion direction

Meki town has a wide agricultural area at the eastern, southeastern and northeastern part which
creates constraint for development. Added to this, Lake Dambal bounded on the south eastern,
part of the town which made a construct for future urban development. The north growth
direction has significantly large potential for expansion area. Currently this part of the town is
developed for industries, and residence and this trend seems to continue in the future also. The
wind often blows from north east to North West, if this is the case; the area is
2.15.1. Urban Growth to the West

This area is relatively large and enough for the required development. The housing development
in this part of the town could be an extension of the existing one. However, it further widens the
town and stretches away from the central development to the west direction. The west and south
35
west direction is the second best preferable for residential and other development based on
planning principle.
2.15.2. Urban Growth to the East

Urban growth to the east is impossible because the town has a wide agricultural potential area at
the eastern, southeastern bounded by Dambal Lake.
2.15.3. Urban Growth to the South

From wind direction, topography, and other similar parameters point of view the south direction
has good potential however; the location of flower industry and urban expansion could not go
together. Generally all the three growth direction has their potentials and opportunities. The
north and west and south expansion area is good for residential and related
36
Figure 11: Future expansion direction of Meki Town
37
Previous plan evaluation
No clearly defined main center and sub center

Streets congestion by Vehicles, Motorcycles, Carts & Pedestrians
Streets lack road facilities such as vehicles parking
Streets have drainage system problem ( no open/closed ditches)
No Freight Terminal (Heavy Tracks are parking, loading and unloading on main road)
The main Findings of the existing land uses are:-
Longer residential Blocks (200-300m)
Illegal & informal settlements at Periphery/Fringe
Lack of municipal services (Cultural Center ,waste disposal site and Municipal cemetery)
Cemeteries, high tension lines and rivers have no protective buffer
Incompatibility of land uses (Abattoir at river edge and Cemeteries within residence)
Implementation problems (The existing development plan lacks implementation tools
38
Figure 12: Incompatibility of land uses from previous plan
Source: Google map image
39
CHAPTER THREE
3. Municipal services Assessment; data analysis and interpretation Municipal activities are those
activities which are administered by the municipality for the proper Functioning of different
activities in the town. This includes general market, livestock market, Abattoir, waste disposal,
and bus station and freight terminal
3.1 General Market

The general market in Meki town is on Thursday and Monday. The total area of the existing
general market is about 2.03 hectares .It is located at accessible, central and compatible location.
The slope of the general market ranges from1-5%. The problem with general market closed
market. Therefore proposing another secondary genera market space required (4-6) hec is very
important.
2.10.1 Market Hierarchy

STANDARDS
Table 6: Market hierarchy and location
Source: Revised Standards for Structure Plan Preparation and Implementation, 2012
40
Figure 13: Proposed fruit and vegetable Market Town
3.1.2 Cattle market

Livestock is a significant contributor to economic and social development in Ethiopia, both at the
household and national levels. However, the sector suffers from low input-low-output
41
subsistence production and marketing systems. The livestock market should consider trekking
routes, accessible, peripheral and compatible market places and transport facilities. The slope of
the cattle market is above 5 % and below 1 % it have impact on the commercial activities and it
is important to provide different services like water shade. The existing cattle market not fit
Cattle flow directions from the South and West, but batter to proposing road that facilitate
accessibility, compatibility for the market
42
Table 7: Livestock market standard
Source: Revised Standards for Structure Plan Preparation and Implementation, 2012
Required Standard
N.B.
• 3.5 m2per cattle, 0.90m2 per shoat and 4.5m2 per equines have been assumed to determine
area required market
• The area required for circulation is nearly 10.25 percent of the total area reserved for the
market.
• Includes office, balance, toilet, incineration of solid waste, reservoirs, etc.
Location
• Outside the central part of city or in the peripheries of city to avoid cattle intrusions;
• In area accessible by vehicles;
• Near but not adjacent to slaughter house;
• In areas close to the flow directions of cattle, equines, shoats, etc.;
• Far from schools, health services, worship places, and residential areas; and,
• Slope should be between 1 and 5%
43
3.2 Bus Terminal and Freight Terminal
The transport service is needed for more competitive, safe and efficient of economic and social
development of the town. Improving Transport Choice is an important part of the town
commitment to promote urban areas as attractive and convenient places in which to live and
work. The Administration has been taking a measure to alleviate traffic congestion within inner
the traffic flow in the inner town increased rapidly due to the increase of tri-wheel (bajaj) motors
for intra urban transportation.
Meki bus terminal is located at the western part of the town and on the back of senay hotel
around 200 meter from the main road established and fenced to give inters urban transportation
service. There is one bus terminals in Meki town, which qualifies level three bus station and total
area is about (0.63 hec) and has a capacity to accommodate about 50 small and medium vehicles
per day. But the required standard for level three (1.04-1.82) therefore it is not sufficient. The
existing bus-station is not full fill the required standard and public discussion also implies to
propose another bus-station. Therefore proposing another bus station which qualifies level three
bus station is important. The total area required standard for level four bus station is about (1.04-
1.82) hec, to the direction meet the standard in terms of catchment radius. There is no any kind
of taxi terminal the town, therefore proposing tax terminal is important.
44
Figure 14: Proposed Bus station of Meki town
Source: GIS Work Based on Yaballo Base map, 2023
3.3. Freight Transport

Meki town is located within cash crop and cereal producing area and the high way that run from
Finfinne/Addis Ababa to Moyale pass through the town. As a result, many freight vehicles those
passes through the town may need to rest or needs vehicle related services and those vehicles
come to the town to load these products to different parts of the country needs freight terminal.
This considerable numbers of freight vehicles are observed in the town on daily bases. AADT
also indicates that there is an increase in freight trucks. Therefore, the plan should allocate fright
Terminal.
45
3.3.1. The components of an airport
An airport is a complex transportation facility, designed to serve aircraft, passengers, and cargo
and surface vehicles. Each of these users is served by different components of an airport. The
components of an airport are typically place into two categories. The airside of an airport is
planned and managed to accommodate the movement of aircraft around the airport as well as to
and from the air. The airside components of an airport are further categorized as being part of
local airspace or airfield. The airport‘s airfield components include all the facilities located on
the physical property of the airport to facilitate aircraft operations. The airspace surrounding an
airport is simply the area, off the ground, surrounding the airport, where aircraft maneuver after
takeoff, prior to landing, or even merely to pass through on the way to another airport (Wells and
Seth,2004). The landside components of an airport are planned and managed to accommodate
the movement of ground-based vehicles, passengers, cargo and support services such as fire and
rescue. These components are further categorized to reflect specific users being served. The
airport terminal component is primarily designed to facilitate the movement of passengers and
luggage from the landside to aircraft on the airside. The airport‘s ground access components
accommodates the movement of the ground-based vehicles to and from the surrounding
metropolitan area, as well as between the various buildings found on the airport property. No
matter what the size or category of an airport, each of the above components is necessary to
properly move people from one metropolitan area to using air transportation. The components of
an airport are planned in a manner that allows for the proper ‗flow‘ from one component to
another. An example of a typical ‗flow‘ between components is illustrated in figure 1 below, it
further identifies some of the facilities located on airfield and ground access components of the
airport.
3.3.2. Airport Site Selection

The selection of a new aerodrome or an enlargement of an existing one represents extensive
investment and building works. It is therefore necessary to design the entire aerodrome project
for the longest time period possible (Kazada and Caves, 2008). The maximum possibilities of
airport development in the proposed locality should be considered within the limits of the
airport‘s critical constraints. As well as ensuring that the capacity and operational requirements
are met safely, the issues concerning the airport and its surroundings should be considered,
particularly the impact of the airport on the nearby population and environment. The locality
46
selected for the airport and orientation of the runway system should facilitate a long – term
development of the airport at the lowest cost in terms of money and social impacts. Selection of a
suitable site for the airport should begin with an assessment of any existing airport and its site. It
is nearly always easier to modify an existing airport than to create a new one on land that has
previously had a different land use designation. The assessment is made in the light of the
prospective passenger market, its growth rate and any limitation of the growth resulting from, for
example, a demographic shift of population. Therefore the prognosis of the growth of a number
of passengers and volume of air cargo in the catchment area of the airport is one key element in
planning the airport development. After the proposed airport‘s size and layout has been
approximately determined by a preliminary study, possible sites for the development of the
airport are assessed in several steps, the principal ones being:
i. approximate determination of the required land area

ii. assessment of the factors affecting the airport location
iii. . preliminary selection of possible localities
iv. survey of individual sites
v. . assessment of impacts on the environment
vi. revaluation of the site layout drawings
vii. estimate of costs, revenues and discounted cash flow
viii. final selection and assessment of the preferred site
ix. Elaboration of the final report and recommendations.
47
Table 8: Maximum building height in aviation restricted zone
GUIDELINES In aviation zone A,
 High density residential development is not allowed
 Smoke and fume emitting development is not allowed.
 Land uses that attract large birds are not allowed.
3.4. Congestion and Car Accidents

The terminal has no necessary facilities like, water, waiting shade for the passenger and toilet,
cafeteria, public phone, transportation service for the staff, ticketing service offices, secured
entrances and outlets. Therefore the necessary facilities should be provided. There is no freight
terminal hence; Heavy Tracks are parking, loading and unloading on main road in the town.The
data obtained from Meki town Transport Office shows those occurrences of car accidents on
Human deaths, heavy and light injuries and property damages are not common when compared
to other urban centers of the region. However, all types of accidents are registered each year as
seen in
48
Table 9: Car Accidents by types
Year(E.C) Accident by types
Total Death Heavy injure Light injure Properties loss

(in Birr)
2011 3 1 2 - 7000.00
2012 4 - 2 2 14800.00
2013 1 1 - - -
Total 8 2 4 2 21800.00
Source: Meki town Transportation Office, 2014
3.5. Transportation of the Study town

Transportation is the backbone for any economic activities in a given geographical area. The
movements of passengers and fright as well as the provision of different types of services are
facilitated by transportation. Moreover in promotion of production and distribution of goods and
services surface transport network is very important. In the study region the main surface of
transport is road transport and the major categories of road network are asphalt surface, gravel
surface and dry weather roads
3.5.1. Intra-urban transport

Motorized intra-urban transport in the town is only available along the main asphalt road.
Interurban motorized transport service in the town is rendered by 85 Bajajs which accommodates
3 passengers and 275 motor bikes that accommodate 2 passengers. This is due to the fact that
most of the town is not covered by suitable collector and local roads. The internal accesses roads
are not well surfaced as a result the motorized transport service is not cover the wide range of the
town. The Bajaj‘s have no terminals they simple shares the highway and this contributes for
congestions and cause accidents with vehicles pass through the town both on life and properties.
In the town there are 795 horse drawn carts that serve the intra urban transport throughout the
town.
49
3.5.2. Inter-urban Transport
Even though there is no well surfaced road between Meki and other surrounding towns except
the main road there is good inter-urban transport. This is because the town is hub/market for cash
crops like tomato, onion and cabbage. Therefore, Meki town has good transport interaction with
the surrounding towns. Daily flow of public transport from the surrounding towns and Meki
town is depicted in the following table:
3.6. Road
Road is one of the most important physical infrastructures that facilitates movement but the
coverage and quality of roads in the town is very low. The roads in the town are not to the
standard and it includes gravel surfaced collector and earth roads. They are not facilitate easy
movement within the town i.e. there is no clear hierarchical arrangement of roads.
50
3.7. Natural and Man-made Constraints for future Development of the Town
The natural constraints within the town are minor gullies, river/streams banks because of their
location; they are difficult for easy development of infrastructures. . In the North West part of
the town excavation for sand widened the bank of the river this is the major manmade constraint.
In addition the long meandering of the river should consider for allocation of land uses. These
areas also needs good buffer of forest of indigenous type to minimize soil erosion and flood. In
the future the town has a probability of expanding in all directions except to the south Some
areas their gradient is less than 2 % which is floodable and has a wide swampy area at the South,
southwestern and northwestern. The other things which is natural hinder factor is that Excessive
slope for urban development activities Difficult to Build, (15-20%)and Slope Harsh, steep
slopes (>20 %) part which creates constraint for development. Man-made constraint in the town
is that the electric line that cross the town concert pole which is not incorporates in the base map.
Figure 15: Natural and manmade Constraint Map of Meki Town
51
3.8. Public utilities of Meki town
3.5.1. Electric services
The town connected to hydroelectric power of the national grid in 1963 E.C. The town as a
whole and the surrounding rural areas get the service but here is a shortage of electric service in
the following localities: road 41, the previous Hamus gabaya and around Bekele Molla Hotel. To
solve the problem the Meki district service center of EEPCo proposes localities that need
transformers theses are old Hamus gebeya, , around the municipality, police office and road 41.
The town has about 5 km street light coverage. The service center expects more from the
municipality to improve the service of the street light like the trees planted along the Roads are
managed as they not overlap with the electric polls i.e. the electric line and the tree line should
not allied as they cause a danger on life and property. In sum the current expansion of the town
needs the electric service more so the concerned bodies needs to work together to improve the
service.
Table 10: Electric service 2022
Types of function No of clients No of applicants

Residential 2,977 850
Commercial 391 65
Industrial 32 20
Governmental 40 26
Public organization - --
others - --
Total 3440 961
Source: Meki town Municipality
52
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1. Planning issues and Recommendations
1. The location, site and situation contribute for growth and development of settlement such as
accessibility and availability of natural resources of its surroundings. Therefore it is important to
create maximum accessibility through developing road network. The current urban growth of
Meki town is characterized by horizontal expansion ,which means that development activities
spread along sides of the highway or main road that connect the town of Batu, and Bote
2.There are r gullies and soil degradation needs to be treated to stop further widening to achieve
the banks of areas on the Structural plan should be protected by allotting buffer zone on the
banks of Seasonal a streams should be both side buffering 15m-30m accordingly. The flood
hazard due to overflow swamp has increased in recent years Since at the moment flooding is the
serious problem of the town it needs solution, therefore don‘t use swamp areas for urban land
use like residence, services commerce and the like rather than green and urban agriculture. One
of the solutions for flooding is designing an appropriate drainage lines and based on design
constructing appropriate drainage lines is very important. The flood hazard due to overflow
swamp has increased in recent years Since at the moment flooding is the serious problem of the
town it needs solution, therefore don‘t use swamp areas for urban land use like residence,
services commerce and the like rather than green and urban agriculture.
3. The dominant wind direction (40%) of Meki town and its surrounding is easterly (Easterly,
North easterly and southeasterly). Because of this, it is important to have the new pollutant
industrial of the town to the direction of Northwestern periphery of the town.
The existing cattle market not compatible and accessible location. The major Cattle flow
directions is from the southern and south west. The slope of the cattle market is above 5 % and
below 1 % it have impact on the commercial activities because of water stagnant and it is
important to provide different services like water and shade. The existing cattle market not fit
Cattle flow directions from the South and West, But proposing road that facilitate accessibility,
compatibility below the standard.
4. The existing bus-station is not full fill the required standard and public discussion also implies
to propose another bus-station. Therefore proposing another bus station which qualifies level
53
four bus station is important. The total area required standard for level four bus station is about
(2.67 -3.13) hec, to the direction of Bote out let. There is no any kind of taxi terminal in the
town; therefore problem should be answered by LDP.
5. These infrastructures include roads, utilities like electric, telephone and water lines. It is
appropriate to exercise strict control to prevent sprawl into the expansion areas and the joining
up of existing settlements. Besides, it is important to respect landscape capacity by avoiding
inappropriate road construction on steeper slopes, farming on high slope and settlement
expansion. The area that slope category less than 2% and above 20% are difficult for settlement
and other permanent urban land use, it should be take considerations.
7. The shape of Meki town is linear development (elongated), therefore to minimize the impact of
distance, time and cost for travel from one point to the other point and fair distribution of
infrastructure. Meki town structure plan should adopt decentralization of pulled activities
through establishment of Neighborhood center to distribute the economic activities,
administrative services, and housing among new residential areas
54
References
1. California Forest Practice Rules, California Code of Regulations, title 14, 2013.
2. Town of Oxnard 2030 General Plan, October 11, 2011 Town Counsel
3. Town report in Surging Town Center Job Growth, February 2005.
4. Jenks, Mike. 2000. The acceptability of urban intensification, Katie Williams, Elizabeth
Burton, and Mike Jenks. London: E & FN Spon.
5. Town observatory.org, Accessed date Oct 2019, Town Observatory, Surging Town Center Job
Growth.
6. Hydro ecological approach for determining the width of riparian buffer zones for providing
Soil conservation and water quality, T. Dindarog˘lu • M. Reis • A. E. Akay F. Tonguc, Accessed
on December 18, 2018
7. Revised Standards for Structure Plan Preparation and Implementation, 2012
8. bendat, j.s. and a.g.piersol, 1986. ―Decomposition of wave forces into linear and on linear
components,‖ journal of sound and vibration, 106: 391-408. Board of soil and water resources,
2008.
9. wca rule advisory committee meeting notes 4/24/08. Actions eligible for credits - buffers.
bried, j.t. and g.n. ervin, 2006. ―Abundance patterns of dragonflies along a wetland buffer,‖
wetlands, 26 (3): 878–883.
10. Brooks, k.n., p.f. folliott, h.m.gregersen, and l.f. debano, 2003. Hydrology and the agement
of watersheds, 3rd edition.c.h.i.p.s., ames, ia: blackwell, 307-368. burke, v.j. and j.w. gibbons,
1995. ―Terrestrial buffer zones and wetland conservation: a case study of freshwater turtles in a
carolina bay,‖ conservation biology, 9 (6): 1365-1369.
11. chatfield, c., 2004. the analysis of time series: an introduction, 6th edition. london: Chapman
& hall/crc. crooks, k.r. and m.e.soulé, 1999. ―mesopredator release and avifaunal extinctions in a
ragmented system,‖ nature, 400: 563–566. davis, j.c., 1986. 12. Statistics and data analysis
ingeology, 2nd edition. new york: john wiley& sons. 13. de steven, d. and m.m. toner, 2004.
12. Vegetation of upper coastal plain depression wetlands: environmental templates and
tlandynamics within a landscape framework,‖ wetlands, 24: 23-42. dorff, c.j., 1995. ―Geographic
distribution.Hemidactylium stratum (four-toed salamander),‖ rpetological review, 26:
150.dosskey, m., 2008. ―a design aid for determining width of filter strips,‖ journal of soil and
water conservation, 63: 232-241.
55
14. Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR), 2001. Benefits of wetland buffers: A study of
functions, values, and size. Prepared for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. EOR, Inc.
Oakdale, MN.
15. Foster, L., N. Shah, M. Ross, G.S. Ladde, and P. Wang, 2007. ―Using frequency analysis to
determine wetland hydro period,‖ Neural, Parallel and Scientific Computations, 16: 17-34.
Fraley, C. and A.E. Raftery, 2002.―Model-based clustering, discriminant analysis, and density
estimation,‖ Journal of the American Statistical Association, 97: 611-631.
56

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OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE

OROMIA URBAN PLANNING INSTITUTE

MEKI TOWN STRUCTURE PLAN REVISION

PHYSICAL FEATURES AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES

Table 1: Slope Patterns and their Development Suitability .......................................................... 25

1.2 Objective of the study

1.2.2. Specific objectives

1.3 .Basic Research questions

1.4. Significance of the study

1.5 Scope of the Study

1.6 Limitation of the study

1.7. Organization of the paper

1.10. Methods of Data Analysis

A structure plan is a framework to guide the development or redevelopment of an area by

2.2 Relative Location

2.3. Absolute Location

Source: Prepared from Oromia GIS Data, 2022

2.4 Physical Planning:

 To ensure adequately planned land utilization, by developing policy framework, provide

2.4.3 Functions of Physical Planning:

2.5. Site and Situation of Meki

2.5.2 Site factors contributing to the growth and development of Meki

2.5.2.1 Physical setting

 Reliable summer rainfall.

Nodal point (a point in a network at which roads intersect or branch)

2.5.3 Some physical challenges in and the surrounding of Meki

Situation Factors that contributes for the development of Meki

2.6.1 The Importance of Site and Situation in Today's Cities

2.7 Location and Sustainable Development: Location is important factor:

―sustainable‖ space for sustainable development

unambiguously and categorically possessing of Geographic Space

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

2. 10 Canter and Sub-Canter

Figure 5: Urban connectivity

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

1-5 Generally flat Highly buildable

5-10 Gently rolling Moderately Buildable

10-15 Gentle to mild slopes Moderately difficult to build

15-20 Mild to steep slopes Difficult to Build

20 and above Harsh, steep slopes Unbuildable

Slope Category Area (Ha) % share Interpretation

2.12 Climatic Conditions

Ethiopia temperature distribution is affected to greater extent by variation in altitude than

Table 4: Ethiopian Climatic Zone

Climate Zone Elevation Average Average

Wurch(cold) >3200 <10 <800

Source: Ethiopian Meteorological Agency

2.12.3 Wind direction

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

Protective Buffer along Water Bodies and Forest

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

2.15. Future expansion direction

2.15.1. Urban Growth to the West

2.15.2. Urban Growth to the East

2.15.3. Urban Growth to the South

Source: GIS Work Based on Meki Base map, 2022

No clearly defined main center and sub center