Transfiguration of Recycling Spaces Towards Effective Space Utilization PDF

Transfiguration of recycling spaces towards effective space
Utilization:
A study on increasing the performance of “Medebir”05, Mekelle
Author: Anwar Kedir
Advisor: Abraham Belay (MSc)
Coordinator: Konno Bodde (MSc)

MEKELLE UNIVERSITY, EIT-M,
School of Architecture and urban planning
A BSc. thesis Submitted to the School of Architecture and urban planning, EIT-M, MEKELLE UNIVERSITY in partial
fulfillment for the award of Bachelor degree in Architecture.
Mekelle, Ethiopia
February 2016
Transfiguration of recycling space towards effective space utilization
This thesis is dedicated to the individuals who is working on “medeber” 05,

The ultimate metal recycling space
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ARCHITECTURE AND RECYCLING

Transfiguration of recycling spaces towards effective space Utilization:
A study on increasing the performance of “Medebir”05, Mekelle
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ALBERT EINSTEIN:
The world will not evolve past its current state of crisis by using the same thinking that created the situation.
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Declaration
I declare that the thesis project entitled IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLING
SPACES IN SPACE UTILIZATION: THE CASE OF”MEDEBIR” 05 (metal recycling space),
MEKELLE, ETHIOPIA. Describes work undertaken as part of bachelor degree at Mekelle
University, school of architecture and urban planning, is my original work and has not been
presented in any university. All views and opinions expressed therein remain the sole
responsibility of the author. I also declare that all sources I have used or quoted have been indicated
and acknowledged by means of complete reference.
Anwar Kedir Dureso

Date: February 10 2016
Signature
CONFIRMATION
The thesis can be submitted for examination with my approval as an Institute`s advisor.
Advisors’ Name: Abraham Belay (MSc)
Signature: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
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This thesis project Submitted to the School of Architecture and urban planning; Ethiopian
institution of technology-Meklle (EIT-M), Meklle University In partial fulfillment of all
requirements for the award of a Bachelor degree in Architecture.
Thesis title:
Improving the performance of recycling spaces in space utilization: the case of “medeber” 05
(metal recycling spaces) Meklle, Ethiopia
Author: Anwar kedir

Date: February 2016
Advisor: Abrha Belay (MSs)
Approved by Board of Examiners:
Abraham Belay (MSc) _______________ ________________

Advisor Signature Date
Azeb Tesfay (MSc) _______________ ________________

Examiner 1 Signature Date
Semere Zeru (MSc) _______________ ________________

Examiner 2 Signature Date
Konno Bodde (MSc) _______________ ________________

Thesis Coordinator Signature Date
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Abstract
Recycling spaces are spaces where recycling takes place and they are the handled facilities of
waste collection. “Medeber” 05 is a metal recycling space located in Mekelle. In “medber”
anything is possible, every inch of metal scrub has its own place. In fact it’s the ultimate metal
recycling space of Tigray. The current situation of the district is in fact in jeopardy.
The jeopardy level was identified through site observation, detail interview with the target groups
of the study and questioner and also by reviewing case studies and theoretical frame works for the
improvement of manufacturing environment.
The fact that the district’s architectural character, the manufacturer’s space utilization method, the
zoning of the district or the functional arrangements and accessibility of the districts are clearly
show that the district is in jeopardy. The unbalance relation of all those elements affect the
performance in terms of productivity, spatial utilization of “medebir” 05. Not only on the
performance of the work also affects the workers’ health in terms of ergonometric in the work
process, the in appropriate use of the space drive the manufacturers to choose un-health work
positions (standing positions).
To increase the compatibility of the district, proposing a new urban design proposal that embrace
the social interaction of the site with the public and enhancing performance of manufacturing,
productivity through regularizing the space utilization which consider the different types of the
ergonometric in the district. And also by proposing appropriate work environments urban wise and
by solving the architectural problem of the workshop.
Key words: recycling space, regularizing, jeopardy, ergonometric, performance, productivity
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Acknowledgements
“Alhamdulillah”
I would love to acknowledge everybody who participate in this thesis proposal. Specifically to my
advisor Abraham Belay. And to my friends, to my family, to Yohanes Haile and to the workers
medeber 05 for their unquestionable help.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................6
Acknoledgnment ..........................................................................................................................................7
List of table of content .................................................................................................................................8
List of figures ...............................................................................................................................................9
Chapter One -Introduction and Method
1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.2 Method of the study ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Chapter Two- Literature review
2.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 22
2.2. Understanding the concepy of recycling .................................................................................................... 22
2.3. Recycling spaces ........................................................................................................................................ 24
2.3. Theorethical frame work ............................................................................................................................ 26
Chapter Three- Data presentation and Analysis .................................................................................................... 31
3.1. Contextual Background .............................................................................................................................. 31
3.2. Interpretation and Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 41
3.4. Summary of Findings ............................................................................................................................... 58
3.4. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 60
3.4. Recomendation .......................................................................................................................................... 61
Reference ………………………………………………………………………………………………....…..62
Appendics ………………………………………………………………………………………………....…..63
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List of figures
Fig 1.1 Minalesh terra, Addis Ababa-11
Fig 1.2 local markets-12
Fig 1.3 a) medeber 05 location, mekelle, Ethiopia b) space utilization type in medeber-13
Fig 1.4 medeber 05 mekellle-14
Fig 1.5 characters of medeber 05-16
Fig 2.1 ergonomic principles provide possibilities for optimizing tasks in the Workplace these-30
Fig 3.1 a) location map of Ethiopia b) image of Ethiopia -31
Fig 3.2 a) image of Mekelle b) map of Mekelle city-31
Fig 3.3 cultural and traditional recycled products-32
Fig 3.4 cultural and traditional recycled products-33
Fig 3.5 location of recycling spaces in Mekelle-33
Fig 3.6 Adhaki local market, Mekelle-34
Fig 3.6 different recycling works in adhaki local market-34
Fig 3.7 different approaches of space utilization methods in adhaki local market- 34
Fig 3.8 Tirhas recycling-35
Fig 3.9 tirhas recycling-35
Fig 3.10 Tire recycling-36
Fig 3.11 space utilization of tire recycling in adhaki local market-36
Fig 3.13 Hailesselase plastic recycling-37
Fig 3.13 Haile Hailesselase plastic recycling-37
Fig 3.15medeber, Asmara, Eritrea-38
Fig 3.16 panorama image of medber-39
Fig 3.17 recyclable materials in medber- 40
Fig 3.18 patterns from products of medeber-41
Fig 3.19 metal recycling products-42
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Fig 3.20 workers of medeber- 42
Fig 3.21 working environment of medeber-43
Fig 3.22 space utilization management in medeber-44
Fig 3.23 ergonomics practices in medber- 45
Fig 3.24 space utilization management-46
Fig 3.25 space utilization management-47
Fig 3.26 location map of medber- 48
Fig 3.27 panorama image of medber-48
Fig 3.28 impact of the district-49
Fig 3.29 physical future of the medber-50
Fig 3.30 different zone of medber-51
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Chapter one: Introduction and Method
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1. General Background of the study
The space utilization of the work setting and the effective design of architectural spaces has an
impact on the performance, workers engagement, and innovation of the work. The performance
of any work can be measured by the quality of the space. A spaces must be utilized appropriately
to improve the activity that is happing inside the space.
Space utilization is a degree of whether and how space is being used. Basically highly utilized
working space has high work performance in terms of any working environment, for example in
the offices, shops, manufacturing plants, educational spaces, hospitals, malls etc.
Recycling space are spaces in which recycling takes place, the quality of this spaces also measure
the performance of the workers in the recycling space. In Ethiopia most recycling spaces have low
performance level for the reason that they are defined in between variety of goods, informal
working environment the architectural character, the work type (recycling type).
As Marc Angelil and Dirk Hebel describes Mercato’s1 “Minalesh terra2” in their book Cities
of change Addis Ababa3, transformation.
Fig 1.1 “minalesh terra” Addis Ababa

“The hustle and bustle of activities, the hodge-podge assortment of goods, as well as the colors
and smells, are all simply breathtaking. Corrugated-metal roofs cover stalls that are piled with
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“Mercato” is the largest open air market in Africa. Located in Addis Ababa.
2
“Minalesh terra”: is a section of Mercato (terra) in Addis Ababa where everything that used to be anything finds its
way. It could be called the recycle center of Addis Ababa.
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Addis Ababa (Amharic: አዲስ አበባ means “New flower”, sometimes spelled Addis Abeba is the capital city of Ethiopia.
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diverse products offered for sale: woven baskets, coffee, charcoal, manure, used tires, Building
materials of every sort, and wood coffins. Thousands of people crowd the streets and alleys,
bartering along the way, in the hope of making a good deal where possible. As the popular saying
goes: “Around here one can even bargain for a new soul.”
1.1.2. Description of the research area and the research issue

1.1.2.1. The research issue
Various society of the world are passionate supporters of recycling. The benefits to recycling are
possibly too well-known to have need of much explanation. It is commonly claimed that recycling,
compared to producing with fresh materials, requires less energy.
Usually in Ethiopia recycling take place in different local markets, like “minalesh tera” in Addis
Ababa’s Merkato, and the few recycling spaces in Mekelle’s Adi Haki (ዓዲ ሓቂ) local market4. The
recycling section (terra5) of this local markets are pragmatic and in low level of space utilization,
in which both manufacturing and selling take place at one place. Adi Haki (ዓዲ ሓቂ), Kedamay
Weyane (ቀዳማይ ወያነ), and 17 kebele (17 ቀበሌ). And “medebir” 05 are some of the local markets
which we can find in Mekelle6. For Mekelle recycling is not a new concept. People recycle and
use recycled products like “fernelo” (ፈርኔሎ) “mankshksha” (ማንከሽከሻ) “birt mitad” (ብረት ምጣድ)
and so on. This home products mostly produced in the local recycling space of Mekelle, “medebir
05”. This local markets are the image of our version of life.
Fig 1.2 a) Adi Haki (ዓዲ ሓቂ) local market, Mekelle b) “minalesh terra” Mercato Addis Ababa c) “medebir” Asmara,
Eritrea
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local market: a market place where we can find local materials and usually it’s an informal market place
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Terra: a name given for a section or portion of a local market place
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Mekelle: can also be spelled as Me’kelle, Mekele and Meqelle (Cannon, 2009).
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Currently most of the developed countries Such as Sweden, German, Japan, USA, etc. has
succeeded countless level in recycling. There recycling spaces are in high performance level. The
circumstance of this countries on recycling space is too modern comparing with the recycling
spaces of developing countries. The case of this countries’ recycling space can’t be a reference for
our recycling spaces, but the design standards and theoretical framework of the work improvement,
recycling method and space utilization sorts can be general reference for developing cities, in this
research case Mekelle.
1.1.2.2. The research area, “medebir” 05

“Medebir” is a recycling space located in Mekelle semen sub city in kebele7 05. Medebir has two
major parts, the metal recycling and the wood recycling. Not only metal and wood are recycled in
“medebir” there are different materials like tire, plastic, old furniture, bath room fixtures, electric
fixtures etc. Most of “medebir’s” workshops produce home products like “fernelo” (ፈርኔሎ)
“mankshksha” (ማንከሽከሻ) “birt mitad” (ብረት ምጣድ) and so on. Most of the workshops in
“medebir”are under Tigray micro and small enterprise development agency (ኣጀንሲ ልምአት ደአንት
ክልል ትግራይ).
Fig 1.3 medeber location b) space utilization type in medeber
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Kebele is a word used to describe a district in a city
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Fig 1.4 “medebir” o5 mekelle
1.1.3. Motivation of the study

“Kuralew”
For one who has closely observed, in Ethiopia mostly in Addis Ababa “kuralews”8 rove the small
neighborhoods to collect anything that might be useable from households like used goods, plastic,
metal, used furniture, and so on. Then they sell it back to the different shops in Merkato’s
“Minalesh terra” where different “workshops immediately start to reuse and transform them in to
different products. For long period of time in Addis Ababa “kuralews” played a major role in
recycling used products and activate the recycling spaces.
The down side of the waste, which people call it “might destroy the environment” also
“kuralews” collect the waste from several areas of Addis Ababa and exchange it for money. They
start the straying work early in the morning and they collect different things from which they can
earn their income. Earning a few birr in a day by recycling used and worn out items sometimes
returning back empty handed. When they come back in the afternoon they deliver what they collect
to friends at the recycling space. Usually “kuralews” don’t own a shop but sell it to their friends.
It might pass through three or four hands in the recycling space. The last buyers do the recycling
and sell it back to the users.
Primarily many rural migrants come and get trained at the recycling spaces like “Minalesh terra”.
Most of the migrants become “kuralews” at first. All of the “kuralews” come here to work earn
and support their families, at the recycling spaces. This recycling spaces are like a training center
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“kuralews” a name given to the workers that collect recyclable materials in different parts of Addis Ababa,
originally the name “kuralew” come from the sound that they make when they collect the recyclable materials
“korkoro yalew”
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and they also the students earn an income from it. Seeing something from this heap of waste, and
transforming it in to something useful.
1.1.4. Rational of the study

Ismail Seragelclin9:
The Most Social of the Arts? There is no art form that is as completely intertwined with a
particular society as its architectural expression: for it is art that is physically rooted in the
geographic location of that society.
Architecture is all about crating space that people evoke, recognize with and want to stay for the
future. To build something, which sustains socio-culturally is what Architecture contributes to
culture and history. To explain more, architectural sustainability will not be achieved only by
physical durability, but also by the identity of the place in which it is located and socio-cultural
dominance.
Since recycling is the wise thing to do we need to keep our recycling spaces in high performance
level. So if we could do this research now we can contribute for the sustainable development of
the existing recycling space “medebir” 05
1.1.5. Aim of the study

This thesis is aimed towards creating a barrier free and accessible recycling space which is a place
that allows free and safe movement, function and access for all users with in possible short distant
regardless metal recycling type in the district. And also researching as well as proposing a relative
architectural solution for “medebir” 05 is the aim of the study.
1.1.6. Objective of the study

1.1.6.1. General Objective of the study
The general objective of this study is modifying the existing area in to habitable commercial
manufacturing recycling spaces as well as more vibrant recycling center by partially or fully
renewing in a professional manner as the research indicate in the research area. More particularly,
the general objective aims at increasing the recycling as well as reusing of different resources in a
good manner.
9
Ismail Seragelclin: born 1944 in Giza, Egypt and founding director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) the new
library of Alexandria,
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1.1.6.2. Specific objective of the study
To achieve the general objective, it is important to:-
 Identify the existing situation of “medebir” 05
 Study the existing problems of medebir 05 in terms of the users’ perception, the
professionals’ view, the author’s investigation and the archival analysis.
 Differentiate design solutions that can reduce the existing problems of medebir 05.
1.1.7. Problem statement

We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us - WINSTON CHURCHILL
To create Architecture is to put in order - LE CORBUSIER
Is the identity of that specific “medebir” 05 in jeopardy? “medebir” 05 is a metal recycling
space mostly. It’s undeniable that the district has noble social value and recycling benefit in terms
of environmental sustainability. Focusing on the architectural character order, physical structure,
zoning, functional arrangement and accessibility of the districts helps the study to identify what
situate “medebir” 05 in jeopardy. The unbalance relation of all those elements affect the
performance in terms of productivity, spatial utilization of “medebir” 05.
In “medebir” there are more than 80 workshops which is working on metal recycling. The relation
between this shops, the working environment, and the accessibility of the site is in a big chaos.
The district has a major problem with space management in workers facility and manufacturing
space, thus the existing situation of “medebir” is undeniable to being in jeopardy. The more their
working environment towards space utilization receipt of regulation the more the performance of
their productivity getting enhanced.
Fig 1.5 character of medeber 05 metal recycling space
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1.1.8. The Research questions
o How can we improve the PERFORMANCE of “medeber 05”?
 What are the main problem that create jeopardy in “medeber 05” and its
environment?
 What design solution can reduce the major problem of the existing recycling
space medeber 05
o Why recycling and recycling spaces are needed?
1.1.9. Scope and limitation of the study
This study is focused on the architecture of recycling spaces a case in improving the performance
of “medebir” 05 a recycling space toward space utilization. It will be determined by considering
the vast substance of the theme of this project, it is mandatory to extract and pick a smaller but
pivotal content to be developed to the stage of recommendations and finally to a physical project
design. Therefore, only merged aspects of spatial (architectural), the urban compatibility issues
will be studied.
This study is limited on geographical limitations were very crucially placed by understanding
available time to complete the project and the level of detailing needed.
1.1.10. Structure of the study

This paper is organized in three main chapters. The first chapter discuss about the introduction and
method of the study, in this chapter deals with why the research title is selected and what kind of
method are used to collect data for the research. In the second chapter related literature reviews,
case studies and theoretical framework are discussed. The third chapter of this study discuss over
the data collection result and analysis, conclusion, recommendation, research findings of the study.
In this chapter contextual background of the study also mentioned briefly.
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1.2. Method of the study

1.2.1. Research design
In this part different steps which the researcher used to approach the research are listed with a
description.
1.2.1.1. Case selection

The research was engaged in “medebir” 05 the ultimate metal recycling space in Mekelle, the
capital city of Tigray region in Ethiopia. There are some reasons why the researcher conducted his
research on Mekelle’s “medebir”, those are the researchers’ personal interest on the character and
tradition of recycling spaces, being the researcher’s familiar with the recycling space of Addis
Ababa’s “minalesh tera” in Mercato and searching for such kind of spaces with in the city Mekelle.
1.2.1.2. Data type

The researcher try to mix some data collection methods qualitative and quantitative data types in
this study. The final result of this was projected to be qualitative data.
1.2.1.3. Data source

The data was collected from primary and secondary data sources.
1.2.1.3.1. Primary data sources

This type of data mainly collected directly from the study area. The investigation on the existing
performance of the recycling space based the current situation of the existing recycling space and
the work flow that they conduct for each recycling type on the district. Additionally from
professionals’ view and opinion of the society was the source for the primary data.
1.2.1.3.2. Secondary data sources

The source for this type were different offices which have relation to the study area like Getting
documented data from government offices like semen sub city office, Mekelle city administration.
And also the researcher heading for previous researches of different professions in the study area
and different books and articles of similar research subject. This source of the data presentations
were appropriately acknowledged and list as reference at the end of this paper.
1.2.1.4. Sampling and Respondents
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In this study the researcher select different groups from different categories. First Samples from
25 different workers of the study area which the researcher call them the first target group10.
Second Sample from 30 different individuals of the city. Third 25 random samples of residents
from the neighborhood of study area which the researcher call them second target group. And
finally the researcher conducted different professionals like architects, urban planners and some
of the professionals which are working on this case in the municipality of the city Mekelle and in
the office of semen sub city.
The first sampling was conceded out with 25 workers (respondents) of different age, income, and
work types (recycling type) that they do on the district. This workers come from different
neighborhood of Mekelle city. The age group of this workers were in categories of (20-25), (26-
30), (31-35), (36-40) and (41-above). More than 60% of the workers (respondents) were in groups
of (26-30) and (31-35). The sampling has 88% men workers (respondents) and 12% women
workers (respondents). The working age in the district were categories of (1-5 years), (6-10 years)
and (11yers and above). 32% of the workers were in the groups of (1-5years), 52% of the workers
were in the groups of (6-10yers) and 16% of the workers were in the group of (11yers and above).
This sampling were taken based on the different recycling types in the district.
The second sampling had 30 respondents of individuals from Mekelle city. This individuals were
selected randomly from different part of the city with different backgrounds. For this respondents
the questioner was prepared for each respondents with 9 Yes-No question and 1 descriptive
question on the issue of recycling and recycling spaces particularly on “medebir” 05. 20 of them
answer the question in complete format, the rest miss at least 3-4 questions. The researcher also
had discussion with some of the respondents, friends and professionals about recycling and the
significance of recycling spaces.
The third sampling conducted 15 residents of the neighborhood of study area, this sampling was
selected randomly in the neighborhood, and the age group of this residents were in categories of
(1-5years), (6-10years), (11-15years) and (16 years and above) this age group depends on the time
they start to live at that neighborhood. From this sample 47% of the respondents were in (11-15)
years, 27% of the respondents were in (1-5) years, 20% of the respondents were in (6-10) years
and the other 6% were in 16 and above years.
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Target group
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The last sampling was conducted with a questioner and discussion mode with professionals like
architects, urban planners and some of the professionals which are working on this case in the
municipality of the city Mekelle and in the office of semen sub city.
1.2.1.5. Data collection technique

There were two types of questionnaire, detailed interview and site observation.
1.2.1.5.1. Detailed interview

The detailed interview was conducted directly with the workers of the district and the residents of
the neighborhood around the study area, the questions were half formal and half informal. The
researcher ask the question depending on the key questions (appendix 1 part one and part two).
The detailed interview method was basically a trick question to get the right information. This part
of the data collection was formed to get clear statement from the target groups on the space
utilization of their working environment and the impact of “medebir” 05 its neighborhood.
1.2.1.5.2. Site observation

This method was conducted by the researcher direct visual contact with the existing future of the
district. In this method basically investigating different condition of the study area, it includes site
inventory and analysis of the district. Also studying the space utilization of the workers while they
are working on the site were As a tool the researcher apply captivating existing pictures, recording
video, taking live pictures and drafting the general conditions.
1.2.1.5.3. Questionnaire
In this method forty individuals asked to respond. Among this respondent thirty-three of them
answer the questions fully and seven of them answer incompletely. The selection was particularly
individuals from the advance-literate11 peoples of the society like individuals from college,
different offices and individuals who lives around the study area “medeber”. The questioner
contain nine YES-NO question and one explanation (appendices 4)
The second part of the questioner was prepared for professionals who can share some ideas,
theories and personal experiences about recycling and recycling spaces. The sampling was
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literate: individuals who able to read and write
Advance-literate individuals who has a college level in their education level at minimum
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random, architects, urban planners, and professionals from the Tigray small and micro industry
office in Mekelle semen sub city. The questioner two types by format with the same subject.
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Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature

2.1 Introduction
This part of the study discuss about related literature over why we need recycling and what
recycling spaces are and also the issue of how space utilization affects the performance of the work
will be discussed. Besides to support the idea of improving space utilization through stating some
theoretical frame works from the 2002 book by German chemist Michael Braungart and U.S.
architect William McDonough “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things” and
also stating some theoretical ideas from kaizen framework. Revising the current understanding on
recycling and recycling spaces. In addition this part of the study discuss local and international
case studies of recycling centers.
2.2 Understanding Recycling

Recycling: “What goes around comes around”
Recycling
It defines? Convert (waste) into reusable material use again. Or Return (material) to a previous
stage in a cycling process. Source oxford dictionary.
Recycling is a concept. It plays a major role in global society. Waste12 is a big issue and cities are
struggling with ways to keep the situation under control. Recycling is generally considered an
important strategy for improving the pressures of a city on the environment. Natural resources can
be saved, emissions can be decreased, and the burden of solid waste 13 can be reduced. Also,
recycling in the cases of some materials is an important economic activity that creates employment
and invites investments. Recycling saves energy, reduces raw material extraction and combats
climate change. The vast majority of studies have found that recycling our rubbish is better for the
environment rather than incinerating or landfilling it.
12
Waste: Waste and wastes are unwanted or unusable materials. Waste is any substance which is discarded after
primary use, or it is worthless, defective and of no use. Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste
13
Solid waste: discarded materials other than fluids. Source
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/solid+waste
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Why recycle?
Mostly because it's the wise thing to do. Even the earliest humans understood that throwing things
away was uneconomical and created health problems. Today we recycle for a variety of
reasons. We understand that recycling helps protect limited resources. Recycling also saves
energy, creates jobs, and helps build a strong economy. And it reduces problems associated with
disorder and trash. So, recycling is still the wise thing to do. Recycling in general can benefit the
environment as well as the earth’s resources because of using and reusing of different materials.
Reasons to recycle
The environmental benefits of recycling are self-evident. Recovering materials reduces the need
to produce those materials a second time around. That conserves energetic resources. Recycling
appears an easy win for industries too. Not only does it help reduce their overall footprint on the
planet, but it appeals to business basics too. Recycling industry or recycling spaces also saves
energy, conserves natural resources, and reduces air and water pollution and GHG emissions.
Recycling types
 Waste Paper Recycling & Cardboard Recycling
 Plastic recycling
 Metal recycling
 Wood recycling
 Glass recycling
 Textile recycling
 Bricks/Inert Waste Recycling
 Organic goods recycling
 Liquid recycling
 Gas recycling
Recycling helps us toward sustainable living
For householders, recycling is one of the easiest ways they can reduce their impact on the
environment and it is often the first such action they take. Making people think about the impact
of their consumption and production of waste can help to encourage us to make lifestyle decisions
to reduce the waste we create and our impact on the environment. Recycling also creates a cyclic
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way of living rather than the current linear model, and this change is essential for reducing our
impact on the environment as a whole, and will help us develop sustainably.
Philosophy towards recycling
To conserve valuable environmental resources and reduce waste that aim to collect and recycle as many
products and supplies as possible. Realizing that planning for our future requires a strong commitment to the
environment. That is why we collect and recycle as many products and supplies as we can, ensuring that they
are disposed of properly, in a way that minimizes their impact on the environment.
How Recycled Products Become New Products

Through the recycling process, end-of-life products are recycled into new product, old consumer
products are recycled into components of new product, and parts of old product are recycled into
new consumer products. (A case of Automotive Recycling Industry)
2.3 Recycling spaces

Internationally Recycling spaces are handled facilities for waste collection, where collectors or
“kuralews” can bring, sort and discard worn products as well as large-sized, hazardous, and
electrical waste. Different waste material fractions in the form of different products and materials
are placed in different section of the recycling space, depending on the type of product or material.
Some types of waste are put into smaller cages or boxes at chosen areas for particular waste
fractions.
In Ethiopia recycling spaces are part of the local markets which both manufacturing and selling
take place at one place. This recycling spaces has their own architectural character. Through time
this characters are considering as a general character of recycling spaces. The working
environment of recycling spaces should be standardize and regularize like the high industries of
the country. The space utilization of recycling spaces is mostly pragmatic system. Eventually this
system is affecting the recycling arrangement and the workers of recycling. Recycling spaces are
light industries where old materials get transfigured to new products. This spaces have a major
role in the waste management of the city.
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2.3.1 Viewpoints of recycling spaces
Environmental sustainability
Recycling spaces have a key role on the achievement of sustainability. Sustainability is the ability to
continue a defined behavior indefinitely. To define what environmental sustainability is we turn
to the experts. Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain the qualities that are valued
in the physical environment. Recycling spaces play a major role in maintaining the physical
environment by decreasing wastes at some level. Recycling can help to achieve an excellent level
of environmental sustainability.
Industrial ecology
Industrial ecology referred to as industrial symbiosis, is emerging as a powerful source of
innovation. Industrial ecology promotes enhanced sustainability and resource efficiency by
stimulating innovations in the re-use of waste materials. The wastes or by-products of one industry
are used as inputs in another industry, thereby closing the material loop of industrial systems and
minimizing waste.
Ethiopia is recently developing with help of many industrial approaches, recycling spaces also
have direct relations with the development of industrial zones. The more we have industries the
more we need recycling to minimize waste products.
Sustainable industries
The idea of sustainable industries is having non-polluting, environmentally sustainable industries
tend to be intrinsically more labor intensive and less resource intensive than traditional processes."
Among the features of sustainable industry offered in the paper were energy efficiency, resource
conservation to meet the needs of future generations, safe and skill-enhancing working conditions?
Cottage Industry
Cottage industries defined as a home industry or small scale industry that play a significant role in
the economies of developing countries. These economies may lack the capital and financial
systems to support larger industries. It may be difficult for smaller firms to grow due to a lack of
available capital, or because of uncertainty relating to private property and legal rights. Recycling
spaces as a collection of cottage industry, understanding what cottage industries may give a brief
knowledge of how recycling spaces are made.
25
2.3.2 space utilization, Effective space utilization

The word Utilization defined as Make practical and effective use of something, it’s originally used in
Early 19th century: from French utiliser, from Italian utilizzare, from utile. Source oxford dictionary.
The word describes the use of something, the proportion of the available time (expressed usually
as a percentage) that a piece of equipment or a system is operating.
Space utilization: basically it describes the use of the architecture space. Space utilization is a
measure of whether and how space is being used.
Effective space utilization: the active or actual use of the space which depends on information
about the people, places and process.
2.4 Theoretical framework

This section of the study deals about some theoretical approaches of recycling and related reviews.
Basically recycling spaces are manufacturing placeslight industries. Recycling spaces are
collection of different cottage industry workshops. Similar to the big industrial zones recycling
spaces has their own pollution to the environment, they might have smokes, chemical liquids, and
different unwanted wastes. In addition this section reviewed work improvement methods and
standards.
2.4.1 Kaizen framework-"change for better"
Kaizen is method and a word that was created in Japan after World War II. The word Kaizen means
“continuous improvement.” It comes from the Japanese words 改 (“kai”) which means “change”
or “to correct” and 善 (“zen”) which means “good.” It is pronounced “k-eye-zen.” The method
and the word have become part of the Toyota Production System (TPS), where it means “small,
26
continuous improvements on everyone’s part. Kaizen is a system that involves all employees –
from senior management to the janitorial crew. Everyone is encouraged to come up with small
improvement ideas and recommendations on a regular and continuing basis.
5S and Kaizen for Process Improvement
5S is a productivity method whose name is derived from the five first letters of Japanese words:
Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. The method was originally intended to organize a
workspace for efficiency. Let’s examine each ‘S’ and determine what it means.
 Seiri – Sorting. Keep the necessary in work area, dispose or keep in a distant storage area
less frequently used items, discard unneeded items.
 Seiton – Systematic Arrangement for the most efficient and effective retrieval. There
should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. The place for each
item should be clearly labeled or demarcated. Items should be arranged in a manner that
promotes efficient workflow, with equipment used most often being the most easily
accessible. Workers should not have to bend repetitively to access materials.
 Seiso – Shining. Clean the workspace and all equipment, and keep it clean, tidy and
organized. After the first thorough cleaning when implementing 5S, daily follow-up
cleaning is necessary in order to sustain this improvement. A “Shining” work environment
will lead to great efficiency gains.
 Seiketsu – Standardizing. Work practices should be consistent and standardized. Work
stations for a particular job should be identical. All employees doing the same job should
be able to work in any station with the same tools that are in the same location in every
station. Everyone should know exactly their responsibilities.
 Shitsuke – Sustaining. Once the previous 4 S’s have been established, they become the
new way to operate. Maintain focus on this new way and do not allow a gradual decline
back to the old ways. The effect of continuous improvement (Kaizen) leads to less waste,
better quality and faster lead times.
27
2.4.2 “cradle to cradle” Remaking the way we make things
“Cradle to cradle” Remaking the way we make things is a 2002GC book by German
chemist Michael Braungart and U.S. architect William McDonough. It is a strategy detailing how
to reach their Cradle to Cradle Design model. It calls for a radical change in industry: a switch
from a cradle-to-grave pattern to a cradle-to-cradle pattern. It suggests that the "reduce reuse
recycle" methods perpetuate this cradle-to-grave strategy, and that more changes need to be made.
The book discourages down-cycling, but rather encourages the manufacture of products with the
goal of upcycling in mind.”
Cradle to cradle design:
Goes beyond retrofitting industrial systems to reduce their harm. Conventional approaches to
sustainability often make the efficient use of energy and materials their ultimate goal. While this
can be a useful transitional strategy, it tends to reduce negative impacts without transforming
harmful activity. Recycling carpet, for example, might reduce consumption, but if the attached
carpet backing contains PVC, which most carpet backing does, the recycled product is still on a
one-way trip to the landfill, where it becomes hazardous waste.
Cradle-to-cradle design, on the other hand, offers a framework in which the effective, regenerative
cycles of nature provide models for wholly positive human designs. Within this framework we can
create economies that purify air, land, and water, that rely on current solar income and generate no
toxic waste, that use safe, healthful materials that replenish the earth or can be perpetually recycled,
and that yield benefits that enhance all life.
Design a system of industry:

The cradle-to-cradle strategy allows us to see our designs as delightful expressions of creativity,
as life-support systems in harmony with energy flows, human souls, and other living things. When
that becomes the hallmark of productive economies, consumption itself will have been
transformed.
• release fewer pounds of toxic wastes into the air, soil, and water every year
• Measure prosperity by less activity
28
• meet the stipulations of thousands of complex regulations to keep people and natural
systems from being poisoned too quickly
• produce fewer materials that are so dangerous that they will require future gene rations to
maintain constant vigilance while jiving in terror
• result in smaller amounts of useless waste
• Put smaller amounts of valuable materials 111 holes all over the planet, where they can
never be retrieved.
2.4.3 Architecture and Ergonometric-Ergonomics
The dictionary define ergonomics as the applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace,
intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator weakness and discomfort. Also called
biotechnology, human engineering, human factors engineering. Ergonomics applies information
about human behavior, abilities and limitations and other characteristics to the design of tools,
machines, tasks, jobs and environments for productive, safe, comfortable and effective human use”
(McCormick and Saunders 1993)14. Ergonomics describes the scientific study of the efficiency of
man in his working environment. This relation of communication between humans and other
elements of a system can apply to theories, principles, data and methods of design. These
interactions are all done for the purpose of optimizing a human’s well-being and overall system
performance. The main goal of ergonomics is to strive for the most efficient and comfortable
working environment to work within and around.
ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO

GOOD WORKPLACE DESIGN
Ergonomic principles of posture and movement which play a central role in the provision of a safe,
healthy and comfortable work environment. Posture and movement at work will be dictated by the
task and the workplace, the body’s muscles, ligaments and joints are involved in adopting posture,
carrying out a movement and applying a force. The muscles provide the force necessary to adopt
a posture or make a movement. Poor posture and movement can contribute to local mechanical
14
An engineering text book by McCormick and Saunders, currently in its seventh edition, first published in 1957, it
considered a classic in human factors and ergonomics.
29
stress on the muscles, ligaments and joints, resulting in complaints of the neck, back, shoulder,
wrist and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.
Ergonomic principles provide possibilities for optimizing tasks in the workplace these principles
are summarized as follows:
Fig 2.1 a) ergonomic principles provide possibilities for optimizing tasks in the Workplace these principles are
summarized in Table 1 below: b) guideline weights source ERGONOMICS AND IRISH LEGISLATION
30
31
32
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Chapter Three: Data presentation and Analysis

3.1 Introduction
In this chapter, contextual background of the research area and the research issue are presented.
And also the analysis and interpretation of the collected data are presented followed by the
findings, conclusion and recommendation of the study.
3.2 Contextual background

3.2.1 Ethiopia, Tigray
Ethiopia is a sovereign state located in the horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea to north and
northeast, Djibouti and Somalia to the east, Sudan and south Sudan to the west, and Kenya to the
south. It occupies a total area of 1,100,000 square kilometers and its capital and largest city is
Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is one of the gifted countries of the world with a wide variety of minerals
and rocks, some of which are available in large quantities and are of excellent quality. Metal is one
of this large quantity minerals in Ethiopia, currently Ethiopia has two major mining sites located
near Shakiso the Lega Dembi gold and the Kenticha tantalum mines.
Tigray is the Ethiopian Northern region. It occupants Ethiopia’s afar region to the east, the Amhara
region to the south, and the countries of Sudan to the west and Eritrea to the north. The surface
area of the region is 53,638km2. Shire is reach for its laterite metal resource in Tigray.
Fig 3.1 a) location map of Ethiopia in terms of bordering countries b) image of Ethiopia
34
3.2.2 Mekelle
Mekelle is the capital city in the northern Tigray Region and one of
the fastest growing city of Ethiopia. It is located around 783
kilometers north of the Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa, at a
latitude and longitude of 13°29′N 39°28′ECoordinates: 13°29′N
39°28′E, with an elevation of 2084 meters a.s.l. Administratively,
Mekelle is considered a Special Zone, which is divided into seven sub-
cities. These are Adi Haki (ዓዲ ሓቂ), Ayder (ዓይደር), Hadinet (ሓድነት),
Hawelti (ሓወልቲ), Kedamay Weyane (ቀዳማይ ወያነ), Quiha (ኲሓ), and
Semien (ሰሜን).Semen sub city has the highest population density
followed by Hadinet and Kedamay weyane.
Fig 3.2.a)image of Mekelle b) Meklle city
35
3.2.2.1 Local culture and tradition
Locally the society use different types of recycled products like metal, plastic products and
recycled tires for men shoes. The recycled products we reuse them for different purposes in the
household mostly in the kitchen.
Fig 3.3 cultural and traditional recycled products
3.2.2.2 Recycling and Recycling spaces in Mekelle
Recycling is a global issue, and most of the world’s societies are applying recycling to their day
to day life. For Mekelle recycling is not a new thought, people use recycled products and recycle
waste materials whether they know about the benefits of recycling or not. The society of Mekelle
are using traditionally most home products that are recycled. “fernelo” (ፈርኔሎ) “mankshksha”
(ማንከሽከሻ) “birt mitad” (ብረት ምጣድ), close washing plate (ሳፍ) are some of the recycled home products.
Not only recycling is applying reusing of different materials for different purpose is also practical
around Mekelle.
36
Fig 3.4 a) Ethiopian girl using recycled cloth washing plate (ሳፍ) b) Ethiopian coffee with “birt mitad” (ብረት ምጣድ) and
“mekuya” (recycled metal product) c) an Ethiopian coffee preparation with “fernelo” (ፈርኔሎ) and “mankeshkesha”
(ማንከሽከሻ) (recycled metal product).
Fig 3.5 location of recycling spaces in Mekelle
Adhaki local market and “medebir” 05 are some of the recycling spaces of Mekelle city. In adhaki
local market they collect the recyclable materials like plastic, metals, old textiles and so on. This
recycling space is more like a collecting place for the “kuralews”, the local recyclable material
collectors until the materials take away to the recycling plants. Medeber 05 is a large recycling
space located in Mekelle semen sub city. “Medeber” is known for its workers from Asmara, Eritrea
and metal recycling mostly.
Recycling spaces in Adhaki local market (ዓዲ ሓቂ)
Adhaki local market is located in the heart of Mekelle, in Hawelt sub city sub city. Adhaki Market
is a large sloping site of 4.9hectar approximately 322m long and 215m wide level across the site
37
fall by 2m along the western boundary from near high-rise hotel buildings to the existing small
river.
Fig 3.6 adhaki local market, Mekelle

In this local market there are different recycling spaces most of the traders use recycling as there
income generation. Different “kuralews” roam the city’s neighborhood and collect different
recyclable materials from each households and bring it to the recycling spaces of this market place,
Adhaki local market.
Fig 3.7 different recycling works in the Adhaki local market

The Space utilization of this local market is pragmatic and traditional. The traders use the informal
market system usually. The site has experienced different types of space utilization techniques.
The traders design their own working environment, they create different display ways. The space
utilization of each market section describe the character of the market.
Fig 3.8 different approaches of space utilization method of Adhaki market
38
Tirhas Recycling and Re-using
A 3m by 5m recycling shop owned by W/ro Tirhas is located in Adhaki local market in Mekelle.
W/ro Tirhas, a family women who lives in Mekelle. As an income generation for her and her
family she receives collected recyclable and reusable materials from for sell. The collected
materials sell them back to the customers for different purposes. Plastic, used water bottles, paint
plastic cans, aluminum and steel cans are some of the collected materials in w/ro Tirhas’s recycling
space. In this recycling space not only recyclable materials are collected some metal recycled
products from medeber, mekelle also available for sell.
Fig 3.9 a) W/ro Tirhas in the shop b) collected aluminum and steel cans c) collected water bottles at the front plot of
the shop
W/ro Tirhas send the collected recyclable materials for reusing purpose to few rural areas of Tigray
like Wikiro, Chelekot, Tenbeyn etc. People use this materilas for holding of the holy water, water,
oil, etc. The space utilization in this recycling space is random. All the products and the recyclable
materials doesn’t have defined spaces. Mostly its pragmatic use of space utilization.
Fig 3. 10 a) collected plastic paint cans and recycled metal household utensils b) res using of water bottle d) way of
displaying in the shop
39
Tire recycling
The other future of this local market is its tire recycling. In this section used car tires are recycled.
Totally there are 7 tire recycling shops in the district. Each recycling shop recycle the tire in to
different products. Shoes, traditional food cane for cattle, rob are some of the products that we get
in Adhaki’s tire recycling.
Fig 3.11 a) recycled cattle food can b) shoes from recycled tire traditionally called “berbaso”c) rob from the recycled
tire
The space utilization method in this section is pragmatic as the rest of the recycling spaces in the
market. Both the products and the recyclable tires at the same place.
Fig 3.12 space utilization of the tire recycling space in adhaki local market
40
Hailesselasse plastic recycling
A plastic recyclable material collector established two years ago by Ato Hailessielase Taddesse,
the establishment was first located in Adhaki local market in Mekelle, now the recycling space is
located in kera Mekelle in kebelle. The recycling space has almost 500 suppliers (kuralews) from
all over Tigray. In this recycling space over 3 tons of plastic recycled and delivered to Addis
Abbas’s plastic bag factory.
Fig 3.13 Hailesselasse plastic recycling
The space utilization of this recycling space is affecting the performance of the work, there is no
enough storing space. Not only had the size affected the work also the way of storing the plastics.
Fig 3.14 a) Ato Hailesselasse taddess in his recycling space b) collected plastic cans
41
“medeber” A metal recycling space
The history: “Medeber” Eritrea (Maekel) Asmara

Originally “medeber” is located in Asmara15, Eritrea16. “Medeber” is situated a few hundred meters
behind the Nda Mariam Orthodox Church in Asmara is like an open air workshop where
completely all available item is used and recycled in a most creative way.
Eritreans being colonized by the Italians has an effect on the development of “medeber” in Asmara.
As the workers from Asmara told the researcher, most of the techniques and skills of the metal
recycling are adapted from the Italians Even most of the products and material names are derived
from the Italian language. “Fernelo”, “kartam”, “enkodino”, “Tirancha”, are some examples of the
words. After the Eritrea-Ethiopian war17 most of the workers from Asmara moved to Mekelle and
establish the new “medeber” with some of the recycling workshops of Mekelle in kebele 05.
Fig 3.15 a) at medeber, Asamara the boy here is welding a small oven b) household utensils at medeber Asmara c)
women selling traditional plastic sandals at Edaga arbi (meaning Friday market) in the northern part of asamara
15
Asmara: the capital city of Eritrea
16
Eritrea: a country located on the north side of Ethiopia, in east Africa
17
Eritrea-Ethiopian war: a war took place from May 1998 to June 2000 between Ethiopia and Eritrea
42
Medeber 05, Mekelle, Ethiopia
Medeber 05 is a recycling space in kebele 05 semen sub city of Mekelle, Ethiopia. It has two major
parts the metal recycling and the wood recycling spaces located in “yekatit” zone and “industry”
zone of Semen sub city respectively.
Fig3.16 panorama image of medeber
This study focus only on the performance of the metal recycling space of “medeber” 05, Mekelle
in space utilization. In “medeber” 05 everything is possible, any metal scrub has its own place, and
everything is useful. In “medeber” most of the recyclable materials delivered by “kuralews” from
the neighborhoods around Mekelle. And also recyclable metals and other materials brought to
“medeber” from the construction companies, government offices around Mekelle and also from
iron factories like Dashen, Selam, Romanat, Nile and Gabiyon, and even sometimes recyclable
metals come from nearby cities like Wukiro and Adigrat. Metals like old galvanized iron, old
reinforced bars, old and new metal barrels, metal pipes, metal scrubs (ካርታም) and some part of old
cars are recyclable materials in “medeber”. In “medeber” basically they produce household
utensils, like “fernelo” with different sizes, “mankeshikesha”, “birt mitad” large and small,
alumunium “dist”, “safa”, “mekuya” and etc. all this products are recyled metal from different
types of recyclable metal.
43
Fig 3.17 a) old reinforced bars b) used building material metals and water pipes c) new barrels d) old
3.3 Interpretation and Analysis

Results and analysis through the data collections from the questioners, detailed interview and site
observation are explored and presented in this part of the study. This data’s are collected depends
on the existing situation of the study area, “medebir” 05 the metal recycling space in Mekelle,
Ethiopia.
3.3.1 Interview
The detailed interview was one of the methods to collect the data and it was engaged between the
researcher and the target groups of the study. The first target group of the study was the workers
from the district which have direct relation with the working environment of the district and the
current situation of the area and the second target group of the study was the residents around the
district, which are affected by the current situation of the recycling space. Exploring the current
situation of “medeber” 05 and its impact on the neighborhood through the detailed interview had
lead the researcher to identify what exactly is missing in “medeber” 05 as a recycling space and
also understanding the unsuitable engagement of the workers and the recycling space in terms of
Ergonomics. The detailed interview was based on the key questions (appendices 1 part one and
two) of the researcher on the research issue, basically the detailed interview was a question on
question method data collection method. By raising one question with in a question
44
3.3.1.1 Target group one-workers of the district
From this target groups 25 workers of the district were conducted for the interview. From this
groups 80% works on metal recycling and the rest of them work on tire recycling and supportive
fuctions. Most of the owners of the workshop have at lest two workers or they work together with
another owner by producing different pats of a product. Almost all workers spend working on the
district for about 11 hours per day, they starts early in the morning at 7PM and finish up at 12AM.
They know manufacturing

The hands of “medeber” knows how to make clients more successful by manufacturing metal
products. The basic thing that they have is the skill how to transform wasted metal in to something
valuable, something the society needs. It can be named as a work of art, the chaos that the metal
scrub creates, the way how they store and order of the products, everything looks in its exact spot
in “medeber”. Unfortunately it’s a manufacturing space, it’s a recycling space. Which desires order
and regularize of the existing condition. From home utensil to the church domes (gulilat) they
made, by recycling metal scrubs.
Fig 3.18 patterns from medeber

Anyone who has closely observed “medeber” is alike an innovation center. The society can learn
much from it. Not only recycling, the way they make things, the dedication of the work sprite also
inspirational. In “medeber” there over 500 workers on recycling. A Common ground for all is the
metal recycling products like home utensils, window and door, church metal dooms and also car
spare parts are the major among the metal recycling types.
45
Fig 3.19 products of metal recycling in medeber
Understanding recycling and recycling spaces

“Medeber” 05 is a recycling space. As a part of “medeber” 05 the workers should know what
recycling and recycling space are and what values they have in order to innovate their day to day
productivity. The first question of the interview were about their knowledge on recycling and
recycling spaces. From the interviewed workers, informatively most of them are not more than
high school graduates but understanding the basic concept of recycling and its benefit was
consequently informal for them, in fact it’s a principle for their life activity. Besides supporting
their family working in the ultimate recycling space of Mekelle gives them the chance to
understand recycling and recycling spaces more than any conventional people of the city. The
workers of the district must understand what recycling and recycling spaces are in advance. And
also understanding the relation between recycling and the appropriate recycling spaces also must
be known under the workers of the district. The fact that medeber 05 is a recycling space and
understanding of this two related thoughts recycling and recycling spaces might be the one of the
many key solutions to the occurred problem of the district. Most of the conducted workers think
that “medeber” 05 is a working space rather than a recycling space. The idea of recycling space
isn’t much concern for them right now, essentially recycling spaces are working space where
recycling take place.
46
Fig 3.20 workers of “medebir” 05
Type of Recycling (work) in the district

Medeber 05 is manly a metal recycling space. From the conducted workers for this interview most
of them are working on metal recycling and some of them are working on plastic, tire recycling
and also there are workers who are working on supportive functions like welding workshops,
coffee houses, and paint shops. The main production of medeber 05 is home utensils,
Table 3.1 type of recycling in the district from the conducted workers for the detailed interview
Type of recycling Number of workers Number of workers in %

Metal 18 72
Plastic 1 4
Tire 5 20
Wood 0 0
other 1 4
Comfort of the work environment and Missing Amenities

The data up on the question “Is the working environment suitable for you?” this question was
based on the district’s level of comfort and missing elements as a working environment. Fifteen
of the respondents answer the question with an Ethiopian attitude18 and the rest of them answer
the question with sureness that the working environment is not comfortable for them. The fact that
the district is in jeopardy and its order regarded as in chaos is enough proof of how the working
environment isn’t comfortable.
18
Ethiopian attitude: to express the Ethiopian character when they answer question
47
Fig 3.21 working environments in medeber
Comfort is a sense of physical or psychological ease. As a working environment the Workplace

amenities and facilities should be provided at minimum requirement. Things provided for the
health, safety, wellbeing and personal hygiene needs of workers. They include toilets, shelter,
seating, dining rooms, change rooms, drinking water, personal storage and washing facilities. They
also include work environment facilities such as workspace, temperature and air quality, lighting
and flooring.
Fig 3.22 space utilization management
Ergonometric
Ergonomics in “Medeber” 05 is the last entity that matters to the workers. The working way that
they adapt through time is unhealthy for the workers. Most of the workers held the work manually
using basic tools like cutter (tranchata), hammer (medosha), drills, wrenches, grinders,
“enkodino”, and so on. The inappropriate position of manual working might cause serious ill to
the bones of the human body. Most of the workers are youths for that matter they are not
considering the appropriate ergonomics of the work environment.
48
Fig 3.23 different types of ergonomics in the district
Ergonomics standards in the workplace promote worker productivity, safety and health. The
standards outline practices for improving accessibility, and visibility. They provide standardized
procedures and practices for measuring and reducing physical stress and mental fatigue from
motion, vibration, shock, sounds.
Ergonomics for manual manufacturing provides useful information on some of the conditions or
injuries that result from hand tools and offers solutions and recommendations on making work
with hand tools easier and safer.
Techniques and methods of space utilization

Space must be utilized properly. The utilization of space affect the productivity and performance
of the workers in the district. Space utilizations in “medeber” vary from workshop to workshop a
Most workers manage their space according to the recycling type and the recyclable material. For
different reasons in “medeber” most production take place outside the workshop for the reason
many types of the space utilization doesn’t have a scale, standard and dimensions, mostly they are
pragmatic management of spaces.
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Fig 3.24 space utilization methods in medeber
The space utilization in medeber include workings space, store, common space,
Fig 3.25 different types of space utilization in the district
Typically most of the workers use the rooms for storage of product and some machinery. Manly
they work outside the room by defining their own working space (recycling space).In medebir” all
workshops have the same size of 24m2 interior room and 2m advance for display from the
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3.3.1.2 Target group two-residents around the study area
From the target group two 25 respondents were conducted, the selection was random in the
neighborhood. This group of people are from the residents around medeber, they have direct
relation with the district. Their opinion about the study area has a major role for the researcher to
understand the effect of the district and study the compatibility level of the site in the
neighborhood. Except the immediate residents most of the residents didn’t disturb by the noise
didn’t complain about sound. Most of the respondents Most of them complained about the smoke
from the site, unfortunately with this reason all the interviewed residents think they should re-
locate to a new site.
Questioner
In this method data supporting and driving ideas were collected from the public group and
professionals. The idea of the society maters for the growth of recycling and recycling spaces.
From the 33 respondents the following result were analyzed.
60% respondentsWho knows 100% have you ever recycle any

recycling? materilas to use in your
40%
home/work place
50%
20%
0%
who knows who don't 0%
know Yes No
80% Who knows "recycling spaces"? 80% is medeber a recycling space?

60% 60%
40%
40%
20%
20%
0%
who knows who don't 0%
know Yes No
51
80% respondents who thinks recycling 100% respondentsWho knows

is important in our life "medeber"?
60%
40% 50%
20%
0%
0% who knows who don't
Yes No know
The data collected from the questioner of the professionals were analyzed as a consultation and
gathering of different ideas about recycling and recycling spaces.
3.3.2 Site observation
Fig 3.26 location map of medeber
The site is located in Mekelle in semen sub city in yekatit zone. The site cover almost 7.5ha
including the observed several times throughout the time of the research. In this method the
researcher tries to identify basic problems of the district. Spatial and
52
Fig 3.27 panorama image of medeber
Impact of the district

As a manufacturing space “medeber” has different impacts on the environment. Most workers burn
the metal to extract the chemicals from the surface and to make it flexible for shaping and they
agree that this process is polluting the environment in smoke. The smoke from the burning of
metals Release DIOXINS19, other toxins and small particles (PM10)20 in to the air
 Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage
the immune system and also cause cancer.
 Exposure to excessive amounts of PM10 can lead to serious health problems, such as
respiratory problems and heart disease, particularly in the young and elderly and in those
with preexisting medical conditions.
 Smoke can be a nuisance if it crosses the property boundary and can be a traffic hazard if
blown across a road.
 Smokey air is unpleasant to breathe.
Fig 3.28 impacts of the districts
19 Dioxins Dioxin is the common name for the chemical 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD. The term
“dioxins” refers to a group of dioxin-like chemical compounds that share similar chemical structures.
20 PMPM10 is particulate matter 10 micrometers or less in diameter, PM2.5 is particulate matter 2.5 micrometers
or less in diameter. PM2.5 is generally described as fine particles. By way of comparison, a human hair is about 100
micrometres, so roughly 40 fine particles could be placed on its width.10
53
Sound pollution is the other major impacts of the site. The general understanding of the workers
on both the current and future situation of the district affect the impacts of “medeber” 05 on the
environment. Most workers should understand what environmental impact is and what solution
must apply how they control it. As a recycling space the district should reduce waste and develop
sustainable waste management system. In “medeber” the most recyclable material is metal. The
metal comes from different places with different character. Understand the concept of pollution
but running none choice work impact of the district is a key agree that the site has an impact on
the environment.
Physical character of the site

The site has different physical futures, the buildings, old cars, “tranchatas21”, the chaos of metal
scrubs, barrels and so on. This physical futures define the character of the district. Basically the
district known for its material density. The chaos crated by the metal scrub also can be considered
as a physical future for the site. This physical futures of the site need order and regulation. Because
of their effect on the compatibility weakness. In medeber most elements are placed without order.
The pragmatic system of the district affect the architectural character of the district.
Fig 3.29 some physical futures of the site
Zoning
The district has major zone problem. The existing zone doesn’t embrace the compatibility with the
neighborhood. The major zones in the site are metal recycling, tire recycling and car spare parts,
21
Tranchata- local word derived from Italian language meaning cutter
54
mostly medeber is a metal recycling space. There are over 150 metal recycling workshops, 8 tire
recycling workshops and 6 old car spare part workshops. In medeber there also supportive
functions like welding workshops, coffee houses, and one communal toilet. Anyone can notice the
clear difference between the different zones, the character of each zone is different and unique
even with the material they use.
Fig 3.30 different zones of the district
Activity
The site has basically similar activity type. The activity difference show the density of the work,
material, and the sound intensity in metal recycling zone. If its metal recycling zone the sound
intensity and material density is high which measures the activity in that particular zone. 6 days
per week medebrr is active, only on Sunday the district make quiet
Road network
The road network in the district is organized in grid pattern. The road is like a working spot for
most of the workshops, most activities of the site has happening in the road itself. By law it’s
illegal to use the road as a working space, as the workers told the researcher even they pay
penalty if they use the road as a working space, burning area and so on. The sound effectiveness
and the material density22 of each workshop is too big for each working space, thus the workers
use the road space as storage and working space. The ground material for the current road design
is the earth by itself, the color has change in to black through time because of the metal burning
in the site.
22
Material density: The amount of material each workshop has and its space accommodation
55
Fig 3.31 the material density in the road
Fig 3.32 the following pictures shows the general character of the road network in the district
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
3.4 Summary of Findings

Through literature review the researcher answer why recycling and recycling spaces are needed.
The environmental benefits of recycling are self-evident. Recovering materials reduces the need
to produce those materials a second time around. That conserves energetic resources. Recycling
appears an easy win for industries too.
The major findings through the data collection in the recycling space medeber 05 are the following
problems that creates jeopardy in the district.
Space utilization
The manufacturers in the research area have created their own space management system towards
reaching high performance in their productivity. The density of the materials, the plot of the
workshops, and the recycling type are currently affecting the space utilization of the
manufacturers. The space management in the district is not work friendly the manufacturers work
pragmatically. The inappropriate space utilizations include the working space in the middle of the
work, the storage areas, and the public space of the district. The unsuitable use of the space has
affected the road network too. Most of the activities are happening outside the workshops in the
middle of the road apparently.
Compatibility level
The question of compatibility is basic for this specific site. The issue of compatibility certainly
reminders an analysis of the basic substitutability and complementary relationships among the
components and system. Compatibility between the workshops, compatibility between the site and
the neighborhood are basics, infect their compatibility is in low level.
Ergonomics
There is no defined work space in medeber. This led the workers to choose various bad, wired
working positions, physically. The works space should be designed with respect to the standard
ergonometric. In medeber almost all works held the work manually, This are some of the UN-
advisable ergonometric practice in medeber working bending forward, carrying out tasks above
63
shoulder level, UN-limit weight of loads and by working twisted posture of the trunk. For that
reason most of the workers are suffering from back pain and several bone illnesses.
Site planning
The site plan of medeber is not the suitable for that particular district. Zoning issue, road network
and low compatibility in terms of the neighborhood are the main problems of the site in planning
level. The design approach only consider the accommodation of many workshops and it doesn’t
embrace the density of materials (amount of materials), manufacturing type, and the site plan
including the zone. Road network, building characters, density of the materials throughout the site.
The missing elements of the site are loading and un-loading area, workers amenities, visitors
sector, and public space for the neighborhood so that the workers can interact with the
neighborhood.
Physical structure
The Physical structure are the two types the architectural and the products and the recyclable
materials of the district. The arrangement of this physical structures are in chaos. They need
order,
64
3.5 Conclusion
The result of the analysis clearly shows that space utilization, ergonometric, compatibility,
physical structure and site plan of the district are the main factors that the site is in the current
situation which are proofs to the district’s jeopardy level. This thesis aimed to explore what are
the major problem that creates jeopardy in “medeber” and creating a barrier free and accessible
recycling space which is a place that allows free and safe movement, function and access for all
users with in possible short distant regardless metal recycling type in the district.
According to the reviewed literatures, working environments should be reviewed by working

environment improvement methods. The Japanese work improvement, Kaizen frame work stated
that every worker of the district starting from the janitors to the CEO is encouraged to come up
with small improvement ideas and recommendations on a regular and continuing basis. This theory
mainly applied in the manufacturing spaces. Medber 05 is a recycling manufacturing space. The
5S’SOF this frame work must apply to the architectural problems of the district.
The cradle to cradle design theory is Avast idea in terms of sustainability. For this research issue
some recommendations and industrial design ideas are taken. The theory takes a new approach to
sustainable design. Cradle to cradle mainly discuss: Eco-effectiveness provides a broad
Conceptual framework for effectively solving some social - and especially environmental - issues
such as the conservation of raw material quality, rather than reducing waste.
65
From the start the research aimed at revising the major problems that creates jeopardy in medber
05 and regularize and proposing suitable space management in order to solve the compatibility of
the site zoning and the workshop space of the metal recycling space. The existing spaces doesn’t
embrace the work flow (recycling type), the material density, and the skill of the manufacturers
and the social value of the recycling space. In terms of encouraging recycling the district can do
better by interacting with the public. Introducing Sunday market23 place to site is one of the ways
to interact with the public .the architectural solution for this is creating programs that the public
come and use other than the marketing system and increasing the compatibility of the site by
decreasing the impacts that affect the neighborhood buffering the manufacturing area from the
public space are some solutions to the search area.
Transfiguration of medeber 05 will be achieved if we integrate medeber 05 will be a recycling and

innovative center for the city of Mekelle.
The involvement of stakeholders also necessary, the stakeholders are institutions which already
have a ling with the recycling space and Mekelle University, governmental institutions, industrial
companies, the small and micro finance agency bureau of Tigray.
23
Sunday market: informal market place that people use to sell anything that might help anyone. Used materials,
new materials, electronics, cloth, basically it’s like a festival market type, everything is at one place.
66
3.6 Recommendations
Generally this research can be done in much wider subject architecturally. Based on this research
someone can propose a research based on the product design, industrial flow of the district. And a
research can be conducted based on the researcher’s final design proposal of “medeber 05”. And
also a research can be done based on the human factor in engineering and design on the
ergonometric of the manufacturers in the district.
Society
The society should start recycling. And use recycling products. The manufacturers of medeber are
manufacturing products that can help the community, not only by producing also by helping the
environment in waste management system. The society should know the social value of this
workers and their ambition
Government
The government should create awareness of recycling and waste management system of the city.
And also training the manufacturers of medeber 05 to increase their knowledge of recycling.
Additionally the government can introduce work improvements in to the district.
67
Reference
JOURNALS
 The Guardians news

 Addis Ababa online.com View Original November 19th, 2015
BOOKS
 McDonough and Michael Braungart, 2002, Remaking the way we make things “Cradle to cradle”, North
point press, New York
 E. F. SCHUMACHER, 1973, Small is beautiful, Blond & Briggs press
 Marc Angelil and Dirk Hebel, 2009, cities of change Addis Ababa transformation strategies for urban for
urban territories in the 21st century, EIABC press, ADDIS ABABA
 Human Factors In Engineering And Design, Mark s. Sanders, Ernest.J McCormick
Photo
 February 24, 2014 Addis Life:: Menalesh Terra Revisited

o Photo by Erin van de wyk
 An-photo, Facebook page
o Photo by Anwar kedir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradle_to_Cradle:_Remaking_the_Way_We_Make_Things
68
Appendices
1. Key questions for the detailed interview method
Part one- Target group one- the workers
Age……………gender………………working hour………………….
Part two- Target group two-the residents
1. How many years did you live in this neighborhood?

2. Is this a suitable environment for residences? How? Why?
3. How do you feel about the existence of “medeber“in this neighborhood?
4. Do you use products from “medeber”?
5. Do you think they are useful for the community? How?
6. Is there any toxic thing that bothers you coming from “medeber”? What? Any consequences?
7. What do you recommend?
69
2. Questioner type 1 for professionals
Dear respondents
My name is Anwar Kedir
This questioner is prepared for the data collection stage on the Architectural thesis entitled ARCHITECTURE AND
RECYCLING24; improving the performance of recycling spaces25: in case of medebir 0526, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. A
project based thesis submitted to the school of architecture and urban planning, Ethiopian institution of Technology-
Mekelle (EIT-M), Mekelle University, in partial fulfilment bachelor degree in Architecture.
Thus the researcher kindly request you to support in providing the required information on the following
questionnaire. Feel free to express your positive on the subject matter directly as much as possible. All these
responses will be treated confidentially for the purpose of this research project only with the proper acknowledgment.
Thank you very much in advance for your time:
Gender……...age.........profession……...............................................................address…………………………..
1. Do you use recycled products in your home/ work place? A) Yes B) No

2. Do you think recycling should be an issue in terms of environmental sustainability?
A)Yes B) No
3. Do you know any recycling space? A) Yes B) No
4. If your answer is yes for question number three, can you give me some lists pleas
a. ……..
b. ………
c. ………
5. Have you ever been in any recycling space? A) Yes B) No
6. How do you describe the general character of any recycling spaces or one particular recycling space
you know?...................................................................................................
24
Recycling defined as Convert (waste) into reusable material use again or Return (material) to a previous stage in a
cycling process.
25
Recycling spaces are spaces in which recycling take place. Or spaces which contain different light workshop of
different recycling workshops.
26
Medebir 05 is a recycling manufacturing market place located in Mekelle Ethiopia in semen sub city kebelle 05
70
7. Generally what’s your professional opinion on recycling spaces? Or market manufacturing
places27?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Do you know “minalesh terra28”? A) Yes B) No

9. Did you consider “minalesh terra” as a recycling space? A) Yes B) No
10. Do you think the new development of merkato29 is affecting “minalesh terra”?
A) Yes B) No
11. As a professional any theories you like to share or any recommendations about recycling
spaces…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Questioner type 1 for professionals
School of Architecture and urban planning

A BSc Thesis questioner for Partial Fulfilment of BSc Degree in Architecture
December 2008 EC
Questioner Type 1
1. Age ……Sex………education level…………….
2. What do you think is recycling? ………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Do you think recycling is useful in any way of our life activity? A) Yes B) No if your answer is yes. How?
………………………………………………………………
4. Do you know what “kuralews” are?
5. Have you noticed “kuralews” around your neighborhood? A) Yes B) No
6. Do you or your family recycle materials in your home/neighborhood? Or do you or your family sell recycling
materials to “kuralew”? A) Yes B) No
(“Kuralews” are collectors which brings used items collects spare parts, used goods, plastic, metal....then they sell it
back to the different shops.)
27
Market manufacturing places a place where both manufacturing and selling takes place
28
“Minalesh terra” is a section of Mercato (terra) in Addis Ababa where everything that used to be anything finds
its way. It could be called the recycle center of Addis Ababa.
29
“Mercato” is the largest open air market in Africa. Located in Addis Ababa.
71
7. If your answer is yes to question number four, recently how much money did you or your family make?
………………………………and what kind of recycling material did you or your family sell?
A) Plastic B) metal C) paper D) textile/garment E) Wood/used furniture F) other
8. Do you recycle materials in your work place? A) Yes B) No
9. Do you know what recycling spaces are? A) Yes B) No

10. If your answer is yes for question number three what ae recycling spaces? And do you know any recycling space
in Ethiopia? ............................................................................................................................................................
11. Do you know medebir 05 in mekele? A) Yes B) No
12. If your answer is yes for question ten where is medebir located?
..................................................................................................................................
13. Do you think medebir is a recycling space? A) Yes B) No
14. What kind of materials are recycled in medebir?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
15. Are you familiar with the situation in medebir in recent days?
................................................................................................................................................
And what do you think the major problem is?

16. Do you think medebir has any significance role in the development of mekele city? How?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
17. Do you see any future towards recycling spaces? Or medebir and how?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………
18. Any recommendation about medebir? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
4 questioner for the public
72
This questioner is prepared for the data collection stage on the architectural thesis entitled ARCHITECTURE AND
RECYCLING: IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLING SPACES: IN THE CASE OF MEDEBER 05, MEKELLE. A
project based thesis submitted to the school of architecture and urban planning. Ethiopian institution of technology
–Mekelle, Mekelle University, in partial fulfillment of BSc degree in architecture.
Thank you very much in advance for you time
Gender………………………..age…………………profssion………………….adresss
1. Do you know what recycling is A) Yes B)No

2. Have you noticed kuralews in your neighborhood? A) Yes B)No
3. Have you ever recycle material in your home or work place? A) Yes B)No
4. Is there any recycled product in your home? A) Yes B)No
5. Do you think recycling is important in any aspect of our life? A) Yes B)No
6. Do you know what recycling spaces are? A) Yes B)No
7. Do you know any recycling space in Ethiopia A) Yes B)No
8. Do you know medeber 05? A) Yes B)No
9. If you know medeber do you think it’s a recycling space?
10. If your answer is no for question number 8 what’s missing in medeber to consider as arecycling
space……………………………………….
73

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Transfiguration of recycling spaces towards effective space

Author: Anwar Kedir

Advisor: Abraham Belay (MSc)

Coordinator: Konno Bodde (MSc)

School of Architecture and urban planning

This thesis is dedicated to the individuals who is working on “medeber” 05,

ARCHITECTURE AND RECYCLING

Anwar Kedir Dureso

Author: Anwar kedir

Approved by Board of Examiners:

Abraham Belay (MSc) _______________ ________________

Azeb Tesfay (MSc) _______________ ________________

Semere Zeru (MSc) _______________ ________________

Konno Bodde (MSc) _______________ ________________

Key words: recycling space, regularizing, jeopardy, ergonometric, performance, productivity

Fig 1.2 local markets-12

Fig 1.4 medeber 05 mekellle-14

Fig 1.5 characters of medeber 05-16

Fig 3.1 a) location map of Ethiopia b) image of Ethiopia -31

Fig 3.2 a) image of Mekelle b) map of Mekelle city-31

Fig 3.3 cultural and traditional recycled products-32

Fig 3.4 cultural and traditional recycled products-33

Fig 3.5 location of recycling spaces in Mekelle-33

Fig 3.6 Adhaki local market, Mekelle-34

Fig 3.6 different recycling works in adhaki local market-34

Fig 3.8 Tirhas recycling-35

Fig 3.9 tirhas recycling-35

Fig 3.10 Tire recycling-36

Fig 3.11 space utilization of tire recycling in adhaki local market-36

Fig 3.13 Hailesselase plastic recycling-37

Fig 3.13 Haile Hailesselase plastic recycling-37

Fig 3.15medeber, Asmara, Eritrea-38

Fig 3.16 panorama image of medber-39

Fig 3.17 recyclable materials in medber- 40

Fig 3.18 patterns from products of medeber-41

Fig 3.19 metal recycling products-42

Fig 3.21 working environment of medeber-43

Fig 3.22 space utilization management in medeber-44

Fig 3.23 ergonomics practices in medber- 45

Fig 3.24 space utilization management-46

Fig 3.25 space utilization management-47

Fig 3.26 location map of medber- 48

Fig 3.27 panorama image of medber-48

Fig 3.28 impact of the district-49

Fig 3.29 physical future of the medber-50

Fig 3.30 different zone of medber-51

Chapter one: Introduction and Method

Fig 1.1 “minalesh terra” Addis Ababa

1.1.2. Description of the research area and the research issue

1.1.2.2. The research area, “medebir” 05

Fig 1.3 medeber location b) space utilization type in medeber

Fig 1.4 “medebir” o5 mekelle

1.1.3. Motivation of the study

1.1.4. Rational of the study

1.1.5. Aim of the study

1.1.6. Objective of the study

1.1.7. Problem statement

Fig 1.5 character of medeber 05 metal recycling space

1.1.10. Structure of the study

1.2. Method of the study

1.2.1.1. Case selection

1.2.1.2. Data type

1.2.1.3. Data source

Abraham Belay (MSc) _ __

Azeb Tesfay (MSc) _ __

Semere Zeru (MSc) _ __

Konno Bodde (MSc) _ __