Comparative case study on introducing a Ward-Based Approach in urban solid waste management -Case studies in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Khartoum, Sudan-

Abstract

A Ward-Based Approach (WBA) was introduced in both Dhaka, Bangladesh and Khartoum, Sudan as an administrative system for urban solid waste management in large cities. This is a comparative case study on the process of how a WBA was established in both cities and aims to evaluate the applicability of a WBA in other cities, and to clarify the conditions for success. Results show a WBA can be applicable for large cities in general, regardless of the diversity of the region, culture, social situation, waste collection system and waste management bodies in the city. Commo key factors for success are i) the population volume of each ward (around 7-10 thousand), ii) a core group formed for waste management in municipalities, prior to the official establishment of the waste management department, and a master plan or upper plan of solid waste management stipulating the introduction of a WBA in its initial phase, iii) the construction of waste management offices in each ward as a center of waste management at field level, and iv) the existence of key persons as a change maker to promote a WBA strongly as a mainstream system in municipalities. Key persons can be either high-level officials or field workers. Further research is required to figure out the mechanism of how to motivate key persons and how to get them exited about a WBA.