IMAM, M. HASSENDAGNE, FITSUM SHAWEL2019-04-082023-11-082019-04-082023-11-082016-05http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/17647This thesis is submitted to the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC) and to School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University for partial fulfilment of all requirements of Master of Science in Housing and Sustainable DevelopmentThe provision of communal buildings to condominium sites is an attempt to respond to the cultural needs of residents, which is to provide a protected space for residents to perform traditional tasks. Although the provision of communal units is well intentioned, the post-occupation management and use has proven problematic and there remains no overall coherent approach to address it. This thesis investigates the efficiency of utilizations of such communal buildings. The main aim of this research is: to map out the overall conditions of communal buildings, to analyze the quality and performance of communal buildings and to discuss if communal buildings in condominium housing is an efficient option in responding to the socio-cultural needs of the residents and to make a recommendation. The phenomenon is investigated through the analysis of case studies located in three areas. The data are primarily collected through qualitative techniques supplemented by a quantitative technique. The investigation is carried out from the perspective of spatial use, management and residents response and perspective. Based on the empirical evidence from the case study the following findings are revealed. The study shows that there is a significant change in the design typologies of communal buildings in terms of size, layout or functional accommodations. Slaughtering room, laundry and stores are the common functions provide in communal buildings while some of the rooms in the communal buildings are still locked and unusable. In terms of spatial use, the finding reveals that slaughtering, cooking extensive meals, storing equipments , celebrations, commemorations and mourning are the activities undertaken in communal buildings. Because of inadequacy and lack of operative spaces, residents still perform other different or similar activities on alternative spaces such as open spaces, walkways and corridors. In management, proclamation 370/2003 serve as a legal basis for post-occupancy management of communal buildings. The study also found that most respondents uses the communal building occasionally and the slaughtering room is the most frequently used space. The findings of the survey result reveals that, the respondents were generally dissatisfied with the communal buildings; suggesting that the communal buildings are not meeting their needs and expectations to a reasonable extent. Generally, it is concluded that currently communal buildings in condominiums have a very large room of improvement for further fostering in design and efficient utilization. Major problems, related to both management and design of communal buildings, are revealed and their possible remedy is indicated. Provision of communal building compatible with residents culture, needs and expectations is suggested and design strategies are put forward that lead to a more flexible communal building design with versatile spaces.enThesis