Architecture and Urban Waste Management: The Case of the City of Yaounde, Cameroon


Authors : Abega Ebanga Valentine Rosalie; Bwemba Charles; Florian Muafo

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2tfvfdz3

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov123

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Abstract : The management of urban waste (GDU) is a critical challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Yaoundé, where rapid urbanization exacerbates insufficient infrastructure, service fragmentation, and the proliferation of illegal dumps. With a recycling rate below 4% and a composition dominated by organic matter (61-65%), the current system generates significant environmental (leachate pollution, methane emissions) and socio-health impacts. Facing the objective of the Yaoundé Urban Community to reduce landfilling by 70% by 2030 through an investment of 80 billion FCFA (including a sorting center, a methanization unit, and a plastics processing unit), this study is essential. It aims to design an adapted urban waste management center by integrating architectural, urban, social, and environmental dimensions. Through a critical analysis of African models (Dakar, Nairobi, Kigali) and circular economy strategies, this work defines the optimal architectural principles (flow organization, safety) necessary to guarantee a functional, sustainable, and well- integrated infrastructure within Yaoundé's constrained urban context.

Keywords : Urban Waste Management (UWM), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Architectural Design, Circular Economy, Waste Valorization.

References :

  1. Gestion des déchets urbains et sécurité sanitaire au Cameroun. (2024). https://calenda.org/1123278
  2. IDRC. (2020). La Gestion des Déchets Urbains. https://idrc-crdi.ca/sites/default/files/openebooks/927-5/index.html
  3. INRS. (2018). Centres de tri de déchets recyclables secs ménagers et assimilés issus des collectes séparées.
  4. Intégrer le secteur informel pour une meilleure gestion des déchets | AFD - Proparco. (2012, novembre 12). https://www.proparco.fr/fr/article/integrer-le-secteur-informel-pour-une-meilleure-gestion-des-dechets
  5. Liegui, G. S., & Tech, U. de L. > G. A.-B. (2019). Vermicompostage : Une alternative durable de valorisation des déchets organiques ménagers en maraîchage périurbain à Yaoundé (Cameroun). https://matheo.uliege.be/handle/2268.2/8344
  6. Monebene, F. F. (2024). Gestion des déchets solides ménagers au Cameroun : Limiter les décharges anarchiques à Yaoundé par le tri à la source et la pré-collecte porte-à-porte. Sciences Eaux & Territoires, 46, Article 46. https://doi.org/10.20870/Revue-SET.2024.46.8142
  7. Monebene, F. F. (2024). Gestion des déchets solides ménagers au Cameroun : Limiter les décharges anarchiques à Yaoundé par le tri à la source et la pré-collecte porte-à-porte. Sciences Eaux & Territoires, 46, Article 46. https://doi.org/10.20870/Revue-SET.2024.46.8142
  8. Ngnikam, E., Naquin, P., Oumbe, R., & Djietcheu, K. B. (2017). Evolution of household solid waste characteristics in Yaoundé city, Cameroon (1995-2015). Environnement, Ingénierie & Développement, N°74-septembre 2017. https://doi.org/10.4267/dechets-sciences-techniques.3654
  9. Ngnikam, Zahrani, F., Naquin, P., Djeutcheu, B. K., & Gourdon, R. (2012). Evaluation des impacts environnementaux d’un centre de stockage de déchets ménagers en activité sur la base de la caractérisation des flux de matière entrants et sortants : Application au site de Nkolfoulou, Yaoundé, Cameroun. Environnement, Ingénierie & Développement, N°61-Juin 2012. https://doi.org/10.4267/dechets-sciences-techniques.2618
  10. Nwanege, C. (2024). Navigating the Future : A Comprehensive Literature Review on Solid Waste Management in Africa, with a Comparative Analysis of Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda. https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/84498

The management of urban waste (GDU) is a critical challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Yaoundé, where rapid urbanization exacerbates insufficient infrastructure, service fragmentation, and the proliferation of illegal dumps. With a recycling rate below 4% and a composition dominated by organic matter (61-65%), the current system generates significant environmental (leachate pollution, methane emissions) and socio-health impacts. Facing the objective of the Yaoundé Urban Community to reduce landfilling by 70% by 2030 through an investment of 80 billion FCFA (including a sorting center, a methanization unit, and a plastics processing unit), this study is essential. It aims to design an adapted urban waste management center by integrating architectural, urban, social, and environmental dimensions. Through a critical analysis of African models (Dakar, Nairobi, Kigali) and circular economy strategies, this work defines the optimal architectural principles (flow organization, safety) necessary to guarantee a functional, sustainable, and well- integrated infrastructure within Yaoundé's constrained urban context.

Keywords : Urban Waste Management (UWM), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Architectural Design, Circular Economy, Waste Valorization.

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Paper Submission Last Date
30 - November - 2025

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