BY ZEKARIAS WOLDEMARIAM
Addis Ababa, meaning a new flower in Amharic, got its name upon its foundation more than 12 decades ago. It was established to serve as the state capital of the then modernizing Ethiopia which was bracing to modernize its government system too.
Indeed located in the epicentre of the nation Addis Ababa started as a beautiful seat of government, business, culture etc. Through time it also became the seat of many regional and international organizations. As it expanded it started to contain more facilities, population.
However, the city was lacking some development progress to fit into its stature as a habitable place for its residents, capital of the country as well as the seat of the regional and international organizations.
For instance, the city was lacking proper recreational and beautification facilities. It also suffered a lot from sanitation and hygiene activities.
The City Administration during the last three years has been striving to change the overall situation of the city. The commitment and endeavour of the administration also demonstrate the need to put in place a strong governance system for the city so that it can attain the level of progress it deserves.
Studies also note that local governments can ensure quality green and public spaces for all. Gated communities do not provide any public space. Currently, the city, like many of the administrative regions of the country, is bracing to establish its new administration as per the result of the 6th National General Election that took place last June.
Social inclusion is a territorial policy, and infrastructure provision is a key competence for this. Sports facilities, safe and accessible spaces for girls and women, spaces for children and the young population, parks and green spaces should be part of the city and all neighborhoods, without restrictions.
Furthermore, policies to promote mixed-use residences designed for people with different incomes as well as working spaces do not only reduce spatial segregation but also have positive long-term effects on local economic development and productivity.
At the same time, local governments like city administration are closer and in a more appropriate administrative echelon to monitor and regulate land use to make cities more resilient to climate change and disasters. The protection of rivers and lakes and the promotion of alternative energy sources are just as important as preventive educational measures, such as emergency plans. However, these measures are only effective in cooperation with communities and thus with the involvement of the local government that is responsible for them.
As a result, Addis Ababa in recent years is becoming more like its name. The government of the city in collaboration with the federal government has been implementing various projects that upgrade the status of the city to the required level.
Among the projects are the development of international standard parks. Various urban parks have been flourishing in various corners of the city in the past few years. But the parks are mostly intended either to change the existing poor situation or other problems like illegal throwing of garbage in the area.
During the past three years, the city government has managed to develop three mega urban parks that are of magnificent and international standard. The parks are Entoto Park, Unity Park and Friendship Park.
Planting more trees in a megacity like Addis Ababa has many benefits. The reening initiative has also been part and parcel of the efforts to transform the feature of the city in the past three years.
With a plan to plant about 20 billion tree seedlings in 4 years under the nationwide Green Legacy Initiative, so far the country has planted some 6.7 billion seedlings in the three rounds of annual plantation campaigns. Addis Ababa is also part and parcel of the plantation campaign where the greening took place in many sites with the participation of cross-sections of the society including expatriates who live in the city for various purposes.
Improving the condition of the sidewalks or pedestrian lanes of the city are a vital measure in changing the overall feature of the city. Addis Ababa is a residence for millions of inhabitants as well as hosts many who pay long or short term visits for many reasons.
Therefore improving the condition of the sidewalks helps to ease the movement of this large sum of people. In addition to easing their movement, it is also important to avoid the congestion and the consequences that follow the mass gathering of people in the previously narrow sidewalks. Furthermore, researches indicate that the structure of the pedestrians also affects the temperature and climatic condition of the city.
As mentioned earlier role of the city governance is playing a meaningful role in scaling the city to the level it deserves. Among the many responsibilities awaiting the city administration are sustaining the ongoing projects of change in the overall landscape of the metropolis as well as implementing many others that enable the city to attain the status to fit a world-class political, economic and cultural capital.
The Ethiopian Herald September 28/2021
