Abstract:
Infrastructure service provision is a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, directly
affecting the quality of life and socio-economic opportunities of urban residents. This study
aims to investigate the Challenges of Urban Infrastructure Service Provision: The Case of
Ambo Town. The research employed a mixed-methods approach. More specifically, the
quantitative approach utilized a descriptive research design, which aimed to systematically
assess the current state of infrastructure service challenges and qualitative approach applied
a narrative research design, which enabled the researcher to gain an in-depth understanding
of the lived experiences and perceptions of residents regarding infrastructure service
delivery. The target population comprised households reside in Ambo Town, key informants,
and community representatives. The study employed a mixed sampling approach involving
both purposive sampling to select representative kebeles and stratified sampling to select
proportionally a sample unit from each selected kebeles. From this population, a sample of
383 households was selected using stratified random sampling, ensuring proportional
representation from different kebeles. Additionally, purposive sampling was used to select 20
key informants for in-depth interviews. Primary data were collected through household
surveys, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics, while qualitative data were interpreted through thematic analysis. The study found
that the overall water supply, electric and road network Infrastructure service provision
inadequate and constrained by a combination of factors, including inadequate financial
resources, poor institutional coordination, limited technical capacity, and unregulated urban
expansion. Furthermore, gaps in community engagement and policy enforcement were found
to exacerbate service delivery failures. This study recommends strategic interventions
including improved institutional coordination, sustainable financing mechanisms, inclusive
urban planning practices, and capacity development to address the prevailing challenges and
enhance service provision in Ambo Town.
