Influences of Road Construction Projects on livelihood of the Affected Households: The Case of Azezo-Gondar Road Construction Project in Gondar City Administration,Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the influences of Azezo-Gondar Road Construction Projects on the affected households’ livelihoods. In this study, mixed method explanatory sequential designs were employed. The survey questionnaire and key informant interview were served as a primary data collection tools to get both quantitative and qualitative data respectively from the project affected households and the project site staff members. Purposively selected project staff members and city administration officials were participated in the qualitative part of the study. Additionally document reviews were used as secondary data collection mechanisms of the study. In this study all project affected households from the project site were participated in the study, and the other 12 purposively selected respondents were participated in the key informant interview. Most of the participants were suggested that the road construction project has positive impacts in enhancing economic or livelihoods activities of the local communities’. Another majority of the participants reported the road construction has caused soil erosion, environmental pollutions and faunas and floras disruption. Meanwhile, adverse impacts from project’s selected material extraction and processing sites like quarry and borrow sites, crusher and asphalt plant have also disturbed the surrounding communities convenience. Generally, the findings of the study showed that there are negative impacts of the road construction in Azezo-Gondar road construction project. Therefore, prevention and mitigation measures and activities are vital to enhance the positive impacts and mitigate the adverse project-induced social, economic and environmental impacts of the study context.