Integrating Inner-City Historic Neighbourhood in Urban Redevelopment Programs of Addis Ababa: The case of “Serategna Sefer” (Labourers Camp), Addis Ababa

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Date

2014-05

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Addis Ababauniversity

Abstract

Historic resources are key ingredients in neighbourhood liveability, and quality of life. In an increasingly fast-paced and ‘placeless’ form of urban development, the historic and architectural characters are essential to the identity and uniqueness of a community. This identity helps to create a sense of stability and enables an understanding of how this unique character, itself a product of incremental development over time, can provide a direction and inspiration for the form of future development. In the contrary inner-city historic resources become increasingly neglected, misused and deteriorated as a result it lost its significance to a complete renewal. This study, therefore, aims to assess the ongoing neglect and decay of historic inner-city centres and the comprehensive redevelopment or urban renewal programs being undertaken in the city of Addis Ababa by taking “Serategna Sefer” as a case study. Hence, the methodology used for the research is a case study method and employed in an in-depth interview, structured questionnaire, interviews and field observation to collect primary and secondary data. Integrating the physical, social and cultural fabric of the inner-city centres in the current comprehensive redevelopment program undertaken in the historic neighbourhood of Addis Ababa and revitalizing the tangible (physical character) and the intangible (social and economic) values of such inner-city centres is the main objective of the study, therefore, it focuses on how the physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects can best be integrated in current urban redevelopment programs by taking a case study of one of the oldest and indeed, well-known, historic inner-city centres of Addis Ababa: “Seratagna Sefer”. The findings of study show that there are ample opportunities and strengths for revitalizing the urban pattern, socio-economic vibrancy, distinct character and architectural heritage of the study area. Accordingly, the study proposes that due consideration be made on rehabilitating the tangible and intangible heritage of the historic neighbourhood as well as the resident’s participation in the design and execution of the inner-city improvement programs. Furthermore, the study provides some solutions as to how the original community can be maintained as far as possible and how low-income residents could be protected from the impact of relocation including gentrification. Finally, the study focuses on improving the urban pattern and tissue of this inner-city area which can enhance the historic quality of the mixed-use environment adapted to modern conditions and requirements Keywords: Inner-city historic neighbourhood; rehabilitation and revitalization; Incremental development; participation

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Keywords

Inner-city historic neighbourhood, rehabilitation and revitalization, Incremental, development; participation

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