Way cheaper and more durable, cobblestone paved roads are Somalia's answer

[Crow]

I just read this 2015 World Bank report and an article about cobblestone roads in Ethiopia and am left wondering why we exclusively make asphalt roads when such a superior alternative is available.

https://olc.worldbank.org/content/cobblestone-streets-cities-ethiopia
https://citiesalliance.org/newsroom...ting-jobs-and-empowering-ethiopias-urban-poor

Germans came to Ethiopia to train 150 pavers and 1150 chiselers and trainers in 2007. From 2012-2015, Ethiopians constructed 350 km of cobblestone roads in over 140 cities at a cost of 58 million euros.

In the capital of Oromia, the cost of a cobblestone paved road was just 15 euros per square meter. A 200 m road, costs no more than 21,500 euros.

The three main steps of cobblestone road paving include:

1. Quarrying
   • Extracting raw material from a quarry near the city
2. Chiseling
   • Transforming the raw material into cobblestones
3. Paving
   • Laying the cobblestones

The heavy and capital intensive machinery required to build the asphalt roads that we currently use across Somalia make it cost prohibitive to pave roads in most places, especially rural villages.

Benefits of cobblestone paved roads

• Far more durable and lower maintenance than asphalt roads
• Cobblestones are reusable
• Unlike asphalt, cobblestone roads are permeable, allowing water to penetrate the surface. This decreases flooding and replenishes groundwater stocks.
• Significantly reduces dust and flooding which, in turn, reduces respiratory and waterborne illnesses like malaria and cholera
• Provides charcoal workers alternative and environmentally friendly employment
• Increases land value and promotes business along new roads
• Teaches local municipal governments how to manage their own development projects due to the low costs and decentralized nature of the industry
• Keeps money in the local economy since everything is made and sourced locally whereas asphalt flows money out through purchases of oil and machinery from different countries
• Decreases public transportation costs
• Provides employment for previously unemployed women and youth
• Community driven so that locals have a stake in road quality as well as the skills to maintain it

Case study: The road to better business
Mesele Mena runs the Ply Hotel on a formerly- earthen road in Awassa’s Bermuda area. The new cobblestone road, which now connects to Awassa’s central square, was a pleasant surprise for him and he is glad that the old muddy road is finally gone. The Ply Hotel contributed 1,500 Birr to the cobblestone road project and Mesele is happy about it. “It would be worth contributing even more. It is the first visible project in this area so far.”

After the cobblestone road was built, he noticed an increase in customers and income. The owner of the Kelay Hotel in Awassa, Mr. Kelay is a friendly old man with a strong handshake. “The main problem during the rainy season was the dirt and the mud in the streets outside the bar,” he explains, adding, “During the dry season it was the dust that caused problems and kept customers away.” Kelay himself was so pleased with the cobblestone project that he collected the mandatory fees from other shopkeepers and provided drinks for the construction workers.

He says that he has 30 percent more guests than before, thanks to the new road. Another businessman, Afework, converted a residential house into a bar three months ago. His main reason for opening the New Anbesa Hotel in the Bermuda area was the cobblestone road. He convinced the landlord to lease him the house on a three-year contract involving profit sharing. “The business plan has been successful so far,” he says. For most of the business people in the area, the new road means an increase in income and the elimination of poor hygiene caused by garbage in the street.

Case study: Creating access to neighbourhoods and reducing public transport costs
Prior to the construction of the cobblestone road in 2010, the local residents of the Selle condominium site in Adama usually contracted horse-drawn carts (garis) and three-wheeled taxis (bajajs) to reach their homes. The neighbourhood was only con- nected to the city centre by one rough earthen road, which caused damage to the bajajs. Minibus drivers declined to operate in the area. Residents thus had to pay two to three Euros per trip, which was a major financial burden for most families. A minibus line now operates on the new all- season cobblestone road, and 7,200 local residents are currently benefitting from public transport services for only nine Euro cents per trip.

Case study: Prisoners for chiselling
The town of Shire received a performance grant from the World Bank for its innovative approach to cobblestone road construction. Goitom, an enthusiastic young municipal engineer, began his involvement in the sector by locating raw materials nearby, organised transportation and opened a quarry. He then wanted to start chiselling cobblestones. The price was fixed at 16 Euro cents per stone, and after one month of promoting chisel- ling activities, he was unable to find enough workers for the task.

He discussed the problem with the city manager, who raised the price to 24 Euro cents per stone. Still, not enough labourers were applying for the work. Finally, the city manager decided to ask the local prison for help. A month later, over 200 prisoners were chiselling an average of 4,500 stones per day, each earning 16 Euro cents per stone (almost two Euros per day).

With their new skills, many of them earned much-needed income after their release from prison by continuing to work in cobblestone-related activities.

Case study: Minimising deforestation
The great majority of chisellers who work in Arba Minch are people who previously earned their living by producing charcoal or selling firewood, activities which have led to deforestation in the area. With the intro- duction of the cobblestone sector, the rapid deforestation has slowed, resulting in fewer landslides and decreased fertile soil erosion.

Case study: Reducing flooding damage
Located in the old town of Harar, the Jegol area was prone to severe flooding owing to its sloped terrain (which caused surface runoff) and narrow internal streets that impeded surface drainage. Today, the area is paved with cobblestone roads, including sub-surface drainage. Most of the residences are connected to the system. Ms. Rahel lives in the neighbourhood and describes how it used to suffer from frequent flooding, causing considerable damage to her house. “Since the construction of the cobblestone road,” she says, “the area floods less often, less intensely, and leaves much less damage."

In December, reer Baydhabo completed Somalia's first cobblestone paved roads.

We need to do this in Puntland.
@Abdalla @Reiko @Armadillo @Boqor Quark Boqor Cisman @PuntiteQueen @Reer-Bari @Finesse @MSGA @kickz @Manzana @GBTarmy @Karim @Tjioux @Farm @Tukraq @Abdisamad3 @halwa @Ugaaso @Suldaanka @Cabdi @Tucking_Fypo @Yonis @Thegoodshepherd @FBIsomalia @Nilotufian

 

[kickz]

Makes alot of sense, is there a place we can make these suggestions to the government

 

[Crow]

Makes alot of sense, is there a place we can make these suggestions to the government

Not that I know of but if we can make a $50 million port without the government, this will be nothing. I know that once people gain the skills and start building these, they will pop up in villages and cities across Puntland. At 21,600 euros for just 200 m, this is probably the best bang for your buck for development.

 

[FBIsomalia]

I just read this 2015 World Bank report and an article about cobblestone roads in Ethiopia and am left wondering why we exclusively make asphalt roads when such a superior alternative is available.

https://olc.worldbank.org/content/cobblestone-streets-cities-ethiopia
https://citiesalliance.org/newsroom...ting-jobs-and-empowering-ethiopias-urban-poor

Germans came to Ethiopia to train 150 pavers and 1150 chiselers and trainers in 2007. From 2012-2015, Ethiopians constructed 350 km of cobblestone roads in over 140 cities at a cost of 58 million euros.

In the capital of Oromia, the cost of a cobblestone paved road was just 15 euros per square meter. A 200 m road, costs no more than 21,500 euros.

The three main steps of cobblestone road paving include:

1. Quarrying
   • Extracting raw material from a quarry near the city
2. Chiseling
   • Transforming the raw material into cobblestones
3. Paving
   • Laying the cobblestones

The heavy and capital intensive machinery required to build the asphalt roads that we currently use across Somalia make it cost prohibitive to pave roads in most places, especially rural villages.

Benefits of cobblestone paved roads

• Far more durable and lower maintenance than asphalt roads
• Cobblestones are reusable
• Unlike asphalt, cobblestone roads are permeable, allowing water to penetrate the surface. This decreases flooding and replenishes groundwater stocks.
• Significantly reduces dust and flooding which, in turn, reduces respiratory and waterborne illnesses like malaria and cholera
• Provides charcoal workers alternative and environmentally friendly employment
• Increases land value and promotes business along new roads
• Teaches local municipal governments how to manage their own development projects due to the low costs and decentralized nature of the industry
• Keeps money in the local economy since everything is made and sourced locally whereas asphalt flows money out through purchases of oil and machinery from different countries
• Decreases public transportation costs
• Provides employment for previously unemployed women and youth
• Community driven so that locals have a stake in road quality as well as the skills to maintain it

In December, reer Baydhabo completed Somalia's first cobblestone paved roads.

We need to do this in Puntland.
@Abdalla @Reiko @Armadillo @Boqor Quark Boqor Cisman @PuntiteQueen @Reer-Bari @Finesse @MSGA @kickz @Manzana @GBTarmy @Karim @Tjioux @Farm @Tukraq @Abdisamad3 @halwa @Ugaaso @Suldaanka @Cabdi @Tucking_Fypo @Yonis @Thegoodshepherd @FBIsomalia @Nilotufian

We need it badly specially on the villages on far east coast.

 

[Somalinimo]

Makes alot of sense, is there a place we can make these suggestions to the government

You still believe in a government that's going to come save you . The same one that's the most corrupt government in the world.

Do the shit yourselves. You want something, make it happen.

 

[Somalinimo]

I just read this 2015 World Bank report and an article about cobblestone roads in Ethiopia and am left wondering why we exclusively make asphalt roads when such a superior alternative is available.

https://olc.worldbank.org/content/cobblestone-streets-cities-ethiopia
https://citiesalliance.org/newsroom...ting-jobs-and-empowering-ethiopias-urban-poor

Germans came to Ethiopia to train 150 pavers and 1150 chiselers and trainers in 2007. From 2012-2015, Ethiopians constructed 350 km of cobblestone roads in over 140 cities at a cost of 58 million euros.

In the capital of Oromia, the cost of a cobblestone paved road was just 15 euros per square meter. A 200 m road, costs no more than 21,500 euros.

The three main steps of cobblestone road paving include:

1. Quarrying
   • Extracting raw material from a quarry near the city
2. Chiseling
   • Transforming the raw material into cobblestones
3. Paving
   • Laying the cobblestones

The heavy and capital intensive machinery required to build the asphalt roads that we currently use across Somalia make it cost prohibitive to pave roads in most places, especially rural villages.

Benefits of cobblestone paved roads

• Far more durable and lower maintenance than asphalt roads
• Cobblestones are reusable
• Unlike asphalt, cobblestone roads are permeable, allowing water to penetrate the surface. This decreases flooding and replenishes groundwater stocks.
• Significantly reduces dust and flooding which, in turn, reduces respiratory and waterborne illnesses like malaria and cholera
• Provides charcoal workers alternative and environmentally friendly employment
• Increases land value and promotes business along new roads
• Teaches local municipal governments how to manage their own development projects due to the low costs and decentralized nature of the industry
• Keeps money in the local economy since everything is made and sourced locally whereas asphalt flows money out through purchases of oil and machinery from different countries
• Decreases public transportation costs
• Provides employment for previously unemployed women and youth
• Community driven so that locals have a stake in road quality as well as the skills to maintain it

In December, reer Baydhabo completed Somalia's first cobblestone paved roads.

We need to do this in Puntland.
@Abdalla @Reiko @Armadillo @Boqor Quark Boqor Cisman @PuntiteQueen @Reer-Bari @Finesse @MSGA @kickz @Manzana @GBTarmy @Karim @Tjioux @Farm @Tukraq @Abdisamad3 @halwa @Ugaaso @Suldaanka @Cabdi @Tucking_Fypo @Yonis @Thegoodshepherd @FBIsomalia @Nilotufian

It's a good idea but how much does it cost. People talk about millions of dollars per mile. I doubt the materials cost that much.

 

[FBIsomalia]

You still believe in a government that's going to come save you . The same one that's the most corrupt government in the world.

Do the shit yourselves. You want something, make it happen.

He mention PL government not villa africa.

 

[Khalid ali]

we have a bunch in jigjiga

 

[DR OSMAN]

The amount of large trucks traffic in PL is too high for cobblestone to be feasible. It's not Oromia that only handles local oromo traffic, Oromia isn't a HUB of trade for Ethiopia. Places with 'sea ports' like PL or JL will need to build roads of higher quality to handle being hub for it's region. Cobble-stone is promising if you mean just 'neighborhood' areas with low amounts of traffic and lesser trucks.

Cobblestone would suit places like Baydhabo since it isn't a HUB of trade, less traffic happening over there beyond their 'regional usage' only. PL is handling the trade usage of nearly 60% of Somalia from Burco to Hiiraan to Bosaso

 

[Inquisitive_]

This stuff is just for pavements and some small alley way type roads in residential areas.

 

[Somalinimo]

He mention PL government not villa africa.

Same PL which has elections with less than 70 voters. Sxb its much safer than the south but corruption is still present. Stop acting like PL is corruption free

 

[FBIsomalia]

Same PL which has elections with less than 70 voters. Sxb its much safer than the south but corruption is still present. Stop acting like PL is corruption free

PL governments did already rise fund for big projects, right now two main projects construction are, Sanaag road & Garcaad port. Dont compare PL government to the souties.

 

[Crow]

It's a good idea but how much does it cost. People talk about millions of dollars per mile. I doubt the materials cost that much.

21,600 euros for 200 m in Oromia. It could cost more or less depending on the location.

we have a bunch in jigjiga

That's great. I would prefer training from reer Jigiga over training from reer Baydhabo for more than a few reasons.

The amount of large trucks traffic in PL is too high for cobblestone to be feasible. It's not Oromia that only handles local oromo traffic, Oromia isn't a HUB of trade for Ethiopia. Places with 'sea ports' like PL or JL will need to build roads of higher quality to handle being hub for it's region. Cobble-stone is promising if you mean just 'neighborhood' areas with low amounts of traffic and lesser trucks.

Cobblestone would suit places like Baydhabo since it isn't a HUB of trade, less traffic happening over there beyond their 'regional usage' only. PL is handling the trade usage of nearly 60% of Somalia from Burco to Hiiraan to Bosaso

I haven't researched how cobblestone works with heavy truck traffic yet. But Puntland has low population density. Most of our villages, small towns, and residential areas do not see heavy truck traffic. It is these areas that I had in mind when making this thread.

 

[Cabdi]

I just read this 2015 World Bank report and an article about cobblestone roads in Ethiopia and am left wondering why we exclusively make asphalt roads when such a superior alternative is available.

https://olc.worldbank.org/content/cobblestone-streets-cities-ethiopia
https://citiesalliance.org/newsroom...ting-jobs-and-empowering-ethiopias-urban-poor

Germans came to Ethiopia to train 150 pavers and 1150 chiselers and trainers in 2007. From 2012-2015, Ethiopians constructed 350 km of cobblestone roads in over 140 cities at a cost of 58 million euros.

In the capital of Oromia, the cost of a cobblestone paved road was just 15 euros per square meter. A 200 m road, costs no more than 21,500 euros.

The three main steps of cobblestone road paving include:

1. Quarrying
   • Extracting raw material from a quarry near the city
2. Chiseling
   • Transforming the raw material into cobblestones
3. Paving
   • Laying the cobblestones

The heavy and capital intensive machinery required to build the asphalt roads that we currently use across Somalia make it cost prohibitive to pave roads in most places, especially rural villages.

Benefits of cobblestone paved roads

• Far more durable and lower maintenance than asphalt roads
• Cobblestones are reusable
• Unlike asphalt, cobblestone roads are permeable, allowing water to penetrate the surface. This decreases flooding and replenishes groundwater stocks.
• Significantly reduces dust and flooding which, in turn, reduces respiratory and waterborne illnesses like malaria and cholera
• Provides charcoal workers alternative and environmentally friendly employment
• Increases land value and promotes business along new roads
• Teaches local municipal governments how to manage their own development projects due to the low costs and decentralized nature of the industry
• Keeps money in the local economy since everything is made and sourced locally whereas asphalt flows money out through purchases of oil and machinery from different countries
• Decreases public transportation costs
• Provides employment for previously unemployed women and youth
• Community driven so that locals have a stake in road quality as well as the skills to maintain it

In December, reer Baydhabo completed Somalia's first cobblestone paved roads.

We need to do this in Puntland.
@Abdalla @Reiko @Armadillo @Boqor Quark Boqor Cisman @PuntiteQueen @Reer-Bari @Finesse @MSGA @kickz @Manzana @GBTarmy @Karim @Tjioux @Farm @Tukraq @Abdisamad3 @halwa @Ugaaso @Suldaanka @Cabdi @Tucking_Fypo @Yonis @Thegoodshepherd @FBIsomalia @Nilotufian

it would look good in Garowe

 

[𐒁𐒚𐒒𐒂𐒘𐒂𐒗 𐒎𐒚𐒗𐒗𐒒]

We need this in alley ways and narrow residential areas that get a lot of foot traffic.

It would look amazing in coastal villages and will help with tourism especially when we plant trees and flower beds on the sides.

This is why people adore mediterranean villages.

 

[GBTarmy]

we have a bunch in jigjiga

Jigjiga actually looks decently developed with good roads so not shocked that you guys have cobblestones as well, are there any good sidewalks?

 

[GBTarmy]

I love cobblestones we have them everywhere in Europe, its smart and looks great you don't always want paved road.

 

[Khalid ali]

Jigjiga actually looks decently developed with good roads so not shocked that you guys have cobblestones as well, are there any good sidewalks?

not really just a couple

 

[Khalid ali]

21,600 euros for 200 m in Oromia. It could cost more or less depending on the location.

That's great. I would prefer training from reer Jigiga over training from reer Baydhabo for more than a few reasons.

I haven't researched how cobblestone works with heavy truck traffic yet. But Puntland has low population density. Most of our villages, small towns, and residential areas do not see heavy truck traffic. It is these areas that I had in mind when making this thread.

from what I've seen the cobblestones are just in the neighborhoods

 

[DR OSMAN]

@GBTarmy @Crow @Inquisitive_ @Khalid ali cobble-stone is good for light traffic. It depends on the vehicle usage in an area. One car per '5' houses is the rate of vehicles in Somalia. It's nothing like the western standard where it's 4 cars per household. They need asphalt to handle that volume of traffic. But light vehicles like cars are not even the problem in PL. It's those large trucks coming from Hiiraan and Burco and Galkacyo and Garowe and every TUULO inside them.They carry 'livestock' on the trucks when exporting thru Bosaso and they import from Bosaso 'bagaash' like market consumables when returning to their home regions. All of these cunts are 'whoring' PL infrastructure for a low petty 'tax' that probably doesn't even cover the maintenance of the road they use. You need a solid 'concrete' base for hiiraan to Bosaso road, even asphalt won't do with the weight being applied to it.

The development of Hiiraan and Galmudug is paramount to PL, if they don't develop, our 'trade' will continue to remain in 'small consumables' for daily living. We need them to return to their home regions and begin construction of properties, roads, water and electricity. These ITEMS I bet will be handled by 'berbera' who will use it's big port as an excuse to steal the worth while trade. While we stick to silly BAGAASH and 'tinned can' shit.

PL FIRST IN TRADE DEALS. OUR TRADE DEFICIT MUST BE HORRIBLE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE SOUTH/NORTH GAINS FROM US AND WHAT WE GAIN. I'LL TRY TO MEASURE IT WHEN IN PL, ASKING WHAT DO U GET DAILY IN RETURN FOR THE ABUSE THESE SOUTHIES DO TO YOUR ROAD? I BET IT'S DEFICIT.