Urban governance for sustainable integrated infrastructure in the metropolitan areas of Addis Ababa and Sheger, Ethiopia

Urban governance plays a critical role in enabling sustainable and integrated infrastructure in rapidly growing metropolitan regions. This research investigates the governance issues impacting infrastructure planning and service delivery in the Addis Ababa and Sheger metropolitan region of Ethiopia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were gathered from 46 participants through surveys, 15 In-Depth Interviews, and 47 in focus group discussions with community representatives, experts and graduate students. The results indicate that over 75% of stakeholders identify a lack of effective metropolitan governance mechanisms, leading to disjointed infrastructure provision in sectors such as transport, water, and waste management. Major challenges include misaligned institutional responsibilities, inadequate cross-jurisdictional coordination, administrative inefficiencies, and political complexities stemming from Ethiopia’s federal and chartered city structures. Despite these obstacles, informal collaboration and federal support are seen as potential enablers of integrated planning. The study reveals that establishing legally mandated metropolitan coordination frameworks, joint spatial planning tools, shared infrastructure financing, and corridor-level governance mechanisms can improve infrastructure integration and service delivery. These findings contribute theoretically enhancing the understanding of metropolitan governance in complex federal settings and practically providing actionable recommendations to reinforce institutional coordination, align cross-boundary infrastructure planning, and foster sustainable urban development of Ethiopia’s growing metropolitan regions.