Browsing by Author "Yonas Alemayehu"

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    Assessing the Integration of Urban Agriculture in Housing Developments of Addis Ababa to Enhance Sustainability: The Case of Two Neighborhoods in Gofa Area
    (Addis Ababa University, 2025-11-01) Tsion Tewodros; Yonas Alemayehu; Biruk Kebede
    Rapid urbanization in Addis Ababa has caused an ever-increasing demand for housing and food. Expropriating agricultural land for residential developments in the city has resulted in the loss of a productive landscape and increased food insecurity. The Addis Ababa City Administration has shown interest in urban agriculture (UA) as a tool for sustainable development by encouraging citizens to start farming inside their residences. This study aimed to investigate the practice, impact, and sustainability of UA in residential developments in Addis Ababa, employing a mixed-methods research approach. A case study method was used to assess the practice of UA among 180 farmers in the Gofa neighborhood. Socially, UA promoted food security, employment, social interaction, health, recreation, and inclusion of marginalized groups. Economically, it generated diversified income and lowered the cost of food. Environmentally, it prevented pollution, infiltrated rainwater, and minimized waste. While horticulture thrived in residential areas, insufficient access to tap water and the lack of alternative water sources, such as greywater, have limited year-round production. Animal husbandry faces challenges in obtaining permits, accessing affordable animal feed, and community acceptance due to its potential risks. The lack of integrated housing and infrastructural planning approaches has undermined the multifunctionality of UA, leading to a missed opportunity for circular urban metabolism. Despite the stakeholders' common understanding of the significance of UA, the integration of UA in housing has been hindered by legal and institutional barriers. To realize the multiple functions of UA, cross-sectoral collaboration, policy reforms, and sustainable infrastructural investments are recommended.
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    Characteristics of Mixed Income Neighborhoods in Addis Ababa: The case of Aroge Kera
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2014-06) Hellom Fantahun; Yonas Alemayehu
    This research is motivated by the existence of different mixed income groups in the city of Addis Ababa where segregation is not seen commonly. Thus, the main purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the characteristics of mixed income neighborhoods in older residential settlements of Addis Ababa. For this, major objectives such as: identifying the socio-economic and spatial characteristics, analyzing the factors and elements that brings mixed-character and investigating the problems and benefits of mixed income neighborhood was set. And case study methodology was used to test and understand real existed situation in a selected study area through primary and secondary data collection techniques. To test the existence of mixed income neighborhood in Addis Ababa, Aroge Kera area which is located in Arada sub-city, kebele 01/02 has been chosen for the case study. This area have been investigated in-depth with the life stories of high, middle and low income households based on formulated socio-economic filters such as: sources of income, household income, social interaction, job opportunity, participation in social activity, sharing of household equipment and services. Spatial filters such as: social service and infrastructures, house type, local road, public and private open spaces, compound characters were also used. Then, the data is analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative issues were analyzed by graphs and descriptions, while qualitative issues were analyzed by maps, tables and descriptions that show comparison and relationships. The major socio-economic findings identified in this research are: the low income people benefited in getting job opportunity and financial support from the middle and high income people when facing problem. The high and middle income households get cheap labor from the low income residents during events like wedding, ceremonies, funeral by preparing injera, wot and tela. The major spatial findings identified for the existences of mixed income neighborhood are: different house types, private spaces, compound and availability of service for all income level residents. The house type based on area for high income is 120-180m2, middle income 60-100m2 and 15-3m2 for low income households. Compound and front yard for high income one household live in one compound, for middle income 3-6 households live in one compound and for low income 9-13 households live in one compound. As any other neighborhoods the research also identified problems in the neighborhood such as: shortage of children‘s playground, security problem, and the low income households are more affected by lack of common space in the compound. Based on these findings socially mixed design incorporating spatial elements is suggested and also recommendations and design proposal is forwarded
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    Communal Open Spaces in Condominium Neighbourhood: the Case of Gofa Mebrat-Hail Condominium, Addis Ababa
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2016-01) Yonas Alemayehu; Yonas Mamo
    The study investigates the relationships between physical characteristics of communal open spaces and the activities in residential environment of Gofa Mebrat-hail condominium neighbourhood, which is one of the project in Integrated Housing Development Program (IHDP) in Addis Ababa. The phenomenon is investigated through a case study research method by taking the neighbourhood as a case and aiming to study: a) how the residents are utilizing the communal open spaces by investigating the activities happening and the level of their involvement in terms of utilising these spaces; b) investigate and analyse the cause and effect relationship between the activities and the physical characteristics of existing open spaces and c) identify the challenges on the day to day activities of the residents as a result of the current conditions of communal open spaces. The study is conducted at two levels; first, a preliminary study was done covering the whole neighbourhood in order to study the activities, which are taking place on communal open spaces, and to select an illustrative parcel. Then an in-depth study is conducted on the chosen parcel based on the focus of the research to achieve the objectives. From the data collected through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and physical measurements, a qualitative and quantitative analysis are done: to examine the usage of existing communal open spaces; to understand the relationship between the physical setting of open spaces and the activities; and to investigate communal open space related challenges on the day to day activities of the residents. Results indicate that, despite availability of communal open spaces, physical attributes of the area investigated, such as adequacy of spaces, type of enclosure, location, accessibility and overall physical quality (attractiveness), when unsatisfactory, negatively affected residents’ attitudes and motivations to utilize and improve the space through physical changes and maintenance, and consequently affected social and user-environment interaction. Besides the physical attributes of the open space, the existing multiple activities are also a major factors that affect residents while utilizing the space. The other important finding is that the existing communal open space related challenges are found to be the result of combined effect of the physical characteristics and the existing activities. Finally, based on the findings the study recommends that the respective institutions who take part on developing communally owned residential neighbourhoods should make an in-depth observation to consider the need and the spatial aspect of communal open space during planning & implementation stage. The study also recommends post-occupancy resolutions to improve existing condition of communal open spaces on the study area. Key issues: IHDP, Activity, Communal Open Space
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    Exploring the use of Domestic Spaces for Home Based Income Generation ﴾The Case of Wise of Addis-Ketema, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia﴿
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2015-02) Alemea girmay; Yonas Alemayehu
    Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, a bustling metropolis is a small-scale fabric of global mainstreams, 80% living in slums, 51% working in the informal sector. Among the informal sector, home-based enterprise is very crucial in Addis Ababa, where 70% of the people are running business reported the same. Hence, this study was motivated to explore the implication of accommodating home based work in the domestic space, in areas where the population density is high (E.g. Addis-Ketema, Addis Ababa). Therefore, selfemployed women in Addis-Ketema are used as a case study. Methods employed in data collection include field observation, self -administered in-depth interview with households and key-informants, photo registration, measurement and drawing of domestic spaces. Drawing on this data, the paper examines implication of domestic space use for home based work. The study found out that home-based enterprise (HBE) is not spatially confined to the dwelling and scarcity of space does not prevent from accommodating the HBE in the dwelling. Home-based workers use the domestic space starting from the dwelling, to the courtyard and neighborhood street. As a result, HBE operators use different techniques to configure these spaces, starting from a simple (cleaning and changing of function of space) to comprehensive (adjusting partitions, extension and enclosure of veranda, replacing the structure step-bystep, constructing rooms & building temporary movable structures). The study has also revealed that the benefits of accomodating this HBE at the domestic space are: closeness to customers & service (time and money saving), symbiosis in the phenomenon and optimal use of the house, household participation and family supervision, and enhancement of security. However, the challenges are nuisance related (noise, smell, dust and smoke), risks related (Such as health, privacy, and security), and crowding. The study found out HBEs are the primary income source to support the households. Despite the fact that, respondents have different perception regarding the use of domestic space for home based work. The integration of HBE activities into the domestic setting is appreciated: when dwellers have small household number, ample room area or where the activity intensively takes place outside the dwelling (such as, courtyard and adjacent neighborhood streets).As well as, households support the integration of the HBE activity when there is no movement of the working equipment. Surprisingly, households with scarce space and having large household number, still have positive perception due to its being their indispensable income source, enabling them to cover their daily expenses. Nevertheless, respondents have a negative perception towards intgration of the home based income generation activity in the domestic space, where the activity creates health related risk (dust & smoke) and crowdedness. Based on the findings, the study concluded that accommodation of the HBE in the domestic space is an important way through which the low-income households can earn and boost their living. Hence, understanding the configuration and meaning of the domestic space for this purpose is essential. Key Words: Home-based income generation; domestic space configuration, women in self-employment (WISE), Addis-Ketema, Addis Ababa