Environment Protection and Development in Addis Ababa: The case of revitalized neighborhood open spaces in housing cooperative
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Date
2015-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urban Open Spaces are considered as the 'lungs' of a city. The study examines the phenomenon of
neighborhood open spaces development approach and practice in one of the oldest cooperative
housings in Addis Ababa. It focuses on environment policy process in FORE and its relation with
spatial transformation of neighborhood open spaces. The phenomenon is investigated through the
analysis of a case study located in Bole sub city, Woreda 03 commonly known as Bole Medhanialem.
The data are primarily collected through qualitative techniques supported by ethnographic research
method to validate the study area. The research is approached with the perspective of policy as a
dynamic process embedded in local context and development as a multifaceted activity of different
stakeholders with varying interest and participation. Three theoretical frameworks have been
discussed based on the course work in urban development and challenges. Based on these the case
study has been analyzed and general themes have been drawn for action, agents and change.
Environment policy process is a recent phenomenon in Ethiopia along with the global quest for
sustainable development. Therefore policies remain beautiful and elusive in script than in play while
politics have also a dominant factor in shaping the understanding of society in general and opinion of
individuals in particular. The role of lower administrative organs (Woreda) has been found critical in
communicating environment policy down to neighborhoods and monitoring development activities.
However the theories of good governance and participation face challenges in practices which
requires an extensive research into policy and its process in general. Community development
associations in the neighborhood were found to be very instrumental in mobilizing and motivating
community development works through volunteer members. Especially women associations were
crucial in negotiating with the local governance and the people in developing the neighborhood open
spaces. However the role of children and youth was found to be minimal which has generated
discrepancy in what is intended and what is implemented for youngsters. Equally important finding
was the spatial transformations of the neighborhood open spaces after three years of development
project. These spaces have now sports area and children play ground facilities, however the proposed
project and the final output is inconsistent and didn't consider the need for football playing area.
Therefore the findings from the environment protection and development approach in the
neighborhood have been used to link their implications to the agents, actions and changes in the
overall process of environment protection and development.
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Keywords
Environment Protection