Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the access and quality of cobble stone road to enhance
urban development, the case of Jimma town. The study employed a cross-sectional research
design .The primary data was collected by using questionnaire interview and field observation
Quantitative data was analyzed by using mean, frequency distribution and percentage. The
results of each point that obtain in both primary and secondary data were discussed. The ideas
of each tables, figures and pictures these listed in this paper were interpreted in order to make
the information brief and meaningful. Through process the roads of the town both in type and
length to some extent were employed as secondary data that was current inventory data gathered
by municipality .The main finding of this study concerning accessibility was obtained by
calculating of the given roads to total household and population of the study areas and the gap
was clearly identified. The questionnaire was employed the systematic sampling method.
Because the numerical data of households in the study area was available. Accordingly 360
households were taken as the sample size from the three kebeles. In addition to this, roads map
of the town was employed to show the access gaps. The quality issue was interpreted based on
result of community response by means of questionnaire and the statistics methods. The result
shows that, absence of drainage, lack of the stone selection, absence of traffic sign, lack of
community awareness, absence of municipality follow up, construction bid acceptance issues
and other factors were listed as the major finding of cobblestone roads quality parameters that
results deterioration of roads in the town. In addition to the above accessibility issues in the
town, cobblestone roads were paved in the center of the city and peripheral or the outer kebeles
were not equally benefited from the sector. This shows that, inner city was enhanced in
accessible than the outer or peripheral parts .Which means, the cobblestone technology was very
recent in the town. This was other finding of the research in cases of accessibility of the
cobblestone roads in the study area .Finally the research tried to conclude and gave the
directions of the problem solving mechanisms as a recommendation. In the recommendation
part; municipality higher officials, communities and organized pavers were suggested as the
responsible bodies in every activities to keep access and quality of cobblestone roads.
