Identity-fication and reintegration of social spaces around Meskel Square area : sustainable solution for a low cost housing and design of open spaces Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Reintegrating the Low income groups as a vital part of the city urban redevelopment process has been the aim focus of this thesis project. The fact that they are not considered well in the redevelopment of the city, made us wonder what we could do as students with backgrounds of architecture and engineering. Our main aim is opposing relocation. Even though the project aimed in these groups of people we broadened the extent of the project by considering other inadequate urban elements. We thought Addis Ababa needed exemplary design solutions since there is lack of appropriate green and open spaces or their link with other elements of the city. Public art or attractions of any kind is also scarce. To integrate these two aspects we found an area which is the most important open space in the city – Meskel Square. Meskel Square is not only an important node of the city but it also holds slum housing at the back of it. The Local Development Plan (LDP) aims to relocate the inhabitants of the slums and proposed a cultural centre in the area. For us it was an opportunity to integrate the above mentioned two aspects as a whole with the cultural centre. In this paper, the urban design focused on reintegrating urban elements; the open spaces and green networks. This is achieved by creating attraction points to the inhabitants of the city within. In addition we considered to re-link the transportation system along Meskel Square. The architecture, technological and structure focused on providing solutions based on the actual needs of the inhabitants and as well considering sustainable and appropriate technology for the building and the environment to attain architecture of its context. The aim of the project has been attained by the process of participatory design. The chapters proceeding, tries to identify, analyze and give solutions to the above mentioned topics in brief beginning form informing and identifying the context. The analysis and the design procedures and the outcomes are illustrated clearly guided with figures. Moreover, references and bibliographies are listed to verify our data.