Assessing the impact of urban-rural linkage in terms of local construction material flow: the case of Mekelle and surrounding areas

Abstract

Rapid urban expansion in Mekelle is driving the extraction of manufactured sand and gravel from surrounding rural areas, leading to increased bareland. This study examined the impacts of urban–rural linkages through construction material flows between Mekelle and nearby rural communities. A mixed quantitative and qualitative research design was applied. Used both primary and secondary data collected through different methods, including questionnaires. Random and purposive sampling methods involved 80 participants. The study was conducted at seven crusher sites in Hareko and Messebo tabias, purposively selected based on post-conflict functionality, proximity to Mekelle, and rural administrative locations. Also, three sand and gravel trading centers in Mekelle were selected based on their reliance on materials sourced from the study areas. The analysis adopted a cradle-to-gate system boundary within the broader cradle-to-grave framework due to data limitations. Results showed that annual production reached 86,680 m³ of manufactured sand and gravel, of which 15% generated as byproduct. The material flow chain supported 159 rural and urban residents through wage labor and trading activities. However, socio-environmental impacts were identified, including health risks, carbon emissions (2.23 kg C02 /t), and soil degradation. Although mitigation measures were agreed upon, weak regulatory enforcement prevented their full implementation, except for water spraying, which reduced dust emissions by 70% annually (492.41kg/year) but led to raised concerns over unsustainable water extraction. The study highlights policy gaps and recommends stronger regulatory enforcement to ensure sustainable resource management, alongside future research on why environmental policy in Ethiopia has weak in implementation.