Assessing the historic urban character of the streetscape of Gandhi Street (old Churchill Avenue) within the context of development
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Date
2022-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is the Assessment of urban character of Gandhi Street (from Tewodros square to Mahmud Music Store), which is found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The street exhibits the detailed artistic advancement and workmanship of 19th and 20th century Addis Ababa architecture. Which is known for its atheistic and landmark value in the city. The features of these streets are changing owing to urbanization and due to the new development of commercial activities. The Physical changes are mainly due to road side new developments. The Main features and characters of the streets have undergone rapid changes due to current redevelopment works. In this study, the researcher assessed the heritage urban characters and features of Gandhi Street on both sides longitudinally. The key changes takes place and the threats facing are emphasized in the final results. Which the street is gradually losing its original features because of undocumented and unguided renovations works, new construction that doesn’t fit the setting, as well as lack of maintenance and care by the owners heritage building. Because of this the city’s architecture heritage along the streets are losing its main elements gradually. The study mainly used on-site assessments, archival accounts, observation, and interviews to collect reliable data. Also a combination of streets cape photographic mapping and drawings are used to assess the heritage character and features of the street. As a result, based on the combined findings the researcher got two major recommendations. These are Streets cape Revitalization or conservation (The renewal of the physical fabric along the street and Find activities to attract tourists and other peoples), and preparing a legal guideline (to control incompatible changes on heritages). Finally the recommendation end up by showing sample streets cape revitalization and guideline.