Critical assesement on the current operation of Planned public open spaces in addis ababa`s urban Environment: (The Case of Meskel Square and Leghar Park)
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Date
2007-01
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The City of Addis Ababa, which is the Capital city of Ethiopia and the diplomatic capital of
Africa, is currently experiencing multiple problems related with its spatial and Physical
development. Its existing urban environment is characterized by poor urban image and
absence of adequate facilities and services of international standards. These problems of the
city are well prevailed by its poor quality urban public open Spaces, which were designed in
such a manner to be utilized for various needs at a city level, among others.
The general objectives of this study are therefore to find out how two well known public open
spaces in Addis Ababa, Meskel square and Leghar Park, are currently operating and how the
society is using them in everyday life; and also to analyse the major factors that affect their
current operation.
The study will attempt to answer the following questions: how these spaces of the city are
currently operating? I.e. how does the society use them in everyday life? Besides, who is
responsible for the planning, design and management of urban open public spaces In Addis
Ababa? How do urban open public spaces in Addis Ababa created, developed and used?
What kinds of facilities are provided by these spaces in the city? And, who actually uses these
spaces?
The research focuses on the current operation of urban open public spaces in Addis Ababa
(i.e. those which are accessible for everyone).It employed a case study method. The current
operation of the selected case study areas are analysed according to their sociability, use and
activities, access and linkage, & comfort and image. By doing so, the study tries to analyse
how several factors related with their planning, management and design affect or influence
their current operations or roles in the city. It also tries to draw lessons that might help in the
formulation of policies and guidelines related to the issue.
The findings of the study indicated that, in Addis Ababa Meskel square play several important
roles. It function as a forum for political demonstrations; as a social space whereby the
community performs its historic, religious and other socio-cultural activities which include:
Sport tournaments, music festivals, recreation and ritual observances. On the other hand
Leghar Park. Currently functions as a transit station area though it is not designed for this
purpose. The significance of both public open spaces in the city is unarguable; however,
currently due to various factors their operation or performance as a public space is highly
threatened.
Problems related with these spaces of the city are multifaceted. They have problems related
with their management; access, environmental design; and physical design. Additionally the
privatisation of considerable amount of other public open spaces in Addis Ababa has affected
the accessibility and in general the public ness of such spaces in the city.
To improve their weakness and to protect and enhance the positive attributes of the public
open spaces, the study recommends the following. Revitalization policies and programs that
are based on urban design principles and guidelines should be developed. The programs
should take into account: the users` characteristics and purposes of these spaces, the
accessibility, management, environmental design and physical design of these spaces
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Keywords
Environment