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Urban Governance of Household Waste and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Study from Yaoundé (Cameroon)

Author

Listed:
  • Salifou Ndam

    (School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Alirou Fit Touikoue

    (Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 755, Cameroon)

  • Jérôme Chenal

    (School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka

    (School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Armel Kemajou

    (School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Abdou Kouomoun

    (Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P.O. Box 755, Cameroon)

Abstract

More and more cities in Southern Africa are struggling to manage their waste in a context of rapid urbanisation and increasing poverty. In the Cameroon’s largest city, Yaoundé, managing household waste is a growing concern. The public and the authorities cast blame on each other, and the actions taken by each party far from guarantee an efficient management of household waste, which litters the streets. Considering the above, this paper analyses the socio-political practices of stakeholders and their influence on household waste management in Yaoundé. Based on a qualitative survey that combined both a literature review and interviews, the research analysed the challenges related to household waste management with regard to the economy, the environment, and public health. In addition, a cartographic survey using KoboToolbox was conducted in all seven municipalities to analyse the geographical distribution of the waste areas, their size, and their status within the city organizational framework. In total, 264 waste dumps were collected, of which 110 were formal waste using a waste bin of varying size. Social constructivism, stakeholder theory, and strategic analysis were mobilized to analyse the urban waste governance in Yaoundé. Thus, the poor quality of household waste management in Yaoundé was explained using political, economic, sociocultural, and environmental parameters. The social practices and dynamics of the stakeholders generate undesirable consequences that hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By combining social science and engineering methods, this research aims to demonstrate that the shortcomings of waste governance in Yaoundé are both a collective (authorities/public powers) and individual (citizens) matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Salifou Ndam & Alirou Fit Touikoue & Jérôme Chenal & Jean-Claude Baraka Munyaka & Armel Kemajou & Abdou Kouomoun, 2023. "Urban Governance of Household Waste and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Study from Yaoundé (Cameroon)," Waste, MDPI, vol. 1(3), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jwaste:v:1:y:2023:i:3:p:36-630:d:1186707
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Scarlat, N. & Motola, V. & Dallemand, J.F. & Monforti-Ferrario, F. & Mofor, Linus, 2015. "Evaluation of energy potential of Municipal Solid Waste from African urban areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1269-1286.
    2. Muyiwa Lawrence Adedara & Ridwan Taiwo & Hans-Rudolf Bork, 2023. "Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Coverage Rates in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Waste, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-25, April.
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