Communal Buildings of Condominium Housing : The case of Gofa Mebrat Haile condominium, Addis Abeba
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
Since 2004/5 the IHDP ( Integrated housing development programme) has been implemented by Ethiopian government to alleviate the sever housing problem in urban areas. The programme led to the development of condominium houses in Addis Abeba. The condominiums especially those built previously were G+4 walk up blocks with exterior stairs and circulation. These blocks came in contrast to the previous mud and single storey houses where majority of low and middle income group have lived with high attachment to ground level and traditional way of life. In order to make residents adapt to the new way of life and perform extensive household activities communal buildings has been introduced but this blocks had many problem around the management and use for communal purpose.
In general the objective of this thesis was to investigate how the provision of communal buildings responded to the space needed for extensive traditional activities such as, slaughtering, hand washing clothes, drying clothes, spice drying etc. In order to achieve objectives of the study first the use and function of communal buildings has been studied. Second the thesis try to investigate to what extent are they being used. Finally how and where residents perform extensive household activities had been studied.
In order to answer these questions three case study communal buildings were selected from Gofa Mebrat Haile condominium. The data have been collected from interviews with 45 residents. Furthermore interview with condominium association officials and gatekeepers has been conducted.
The finding indicates that even though communal buildings are not given legally to residents still the buildings have been used for different function such as storage, office and shop. The condominium residents rarely use communal buildings in non-formal arrangements with the association but 75% of respondents had never used them at all. Furthermore the finding indicates communal buildings are not used for their intended purpose fully. Majority of the communal blocks are abandoned without clear responsible body which led to their current bad sanitary condition. In contrast to communal buildings resident use corridors and open spaces for extensive household activity which supposed to happen on communal buildings. Generally lack of strong administration and facility management has been also found.
In order to achieve better living condition in condominium housing, communal buildings has to be maintained and used fully to betterment of the community. Increasing public participation through different mechanism and finally integrating communal facilities in condominium blocks based on the need and residents way of life should be considered in the design of condominium housings.
Key words: Condominium Housing, Communal buildings
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Keywords
Condominium Housing, Communal buildings