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Addis Ababa Corridor Development Update

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
64 views5 pages

Addis Ababa Corridor Development Update

Uploaded by

endale belay
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Update: Addis Ababa City Corridor

Development Project
byStaff Writer
April 9, 2024
3 minute read

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In recent years Addis Ababa has been undergoing some big changes. The latest
corridor development project is a continuation of reform plans to transform Addis into a
smart and modern city by reviving neglected urban districts. The plan has in mind
accommodations for a growing metropolis, including projects for the construction of
bicycle routes, spacious pedestrian walkways, better roads, parks, libraries, and
additional housing. To improve the quality of life in the city, the project aims to upgrade
the outdated drainage systems, upgrade utility networks such as power and internet.
Prime Minister Abiy discussed with city officials on the corridor project progress

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed chaired a supervision meeting with project leaders of the
Addis Ababa Development Corridors on March 27. During the session, he reiterated the
government’s commitment to transforming Addis Ababa into a hospitable and livable
metropolis for its citizens, emphasizing it as a top priority. The Prime Minister
acknowledged potential impacts on government-owned or leased properties, low-
income communities, and the private sector during the process. However, he stressed
that upon completion, significant long-term benefits would be realized for all
stakeholders involved.
city
residents joined multiple rounds of discussions on the planning of the corridor project

In a press release, Mayor Adanech Abiebie emphasized that “the goal of the corridor
development is making Addis Ababa beautiful and uplift its residents”. The mayor noted
that the plan not only includes improving Addis Ababa but also preserving historical
sites and making its residents the beneficiaries of economic development in the
city. The mayor reiterated, “the people’s centered” nature of the projects and provided
information on enhanced resettlement provisions for residents affected by new
construction.

 For those requiring larger land replacement, alternative accommodations in Kolfe


Keraneyo, Gulele, Nifas Silke, Lafto, and Lemi Kura sub-cities was given.
 For individuals preferring to stay in the downtown areas, housing options in
Kirkos, Ledeta, and Addis Ketema have been made available.
 Renters have been given one year’s rent worth of rent in cash and moving
expenses until their new accommodations are ready.
 Those engaged in rental businesses have been assisted in setting up permanent
rental facility in suitable locations.
 551 individuals employed in various small business enterprises outside main
roads have been given improved and larger working spaces.
 402 individuals who expressed financial constraints and opting for government
housing have been relocated to newly constructed homes in Kaliti, offering them
an enhanced quality of life.

A diverse group comprising scholars, engineers, architects, government officials,


opposition leaders, and residents convened for a panel discussion on April 4th to delve
into the corridor development project. The objective was to foster a collective
understanding and insight into the project’s goals and implications.

Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebie held an extended press conference and answered
questions about the corridor plan

During the discussion, Gosaye Bekele, CEO of Compass Consultancy Services,


reaffirmed the project’s implementation based on extensive economic impact research,
focusing on prospects for job creation, housing construction, and efficient land use.

Moges Tibebu, Head Engineer of the Addis Ababa Roads Authority, emphasized the
swift execution of infrastructure projects, including the corridor development initiative,
aimed at elevating Addis Ababa to one of Africa’s premier cities.
Panel
discussion organized by the strategic programs management office and mayor’s office.

Dr. Hirpo Beriso, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, underscored the significant
contribution of development to the city’s income growth, which in turn would enhance
infrastructure, attract investments, expand tourist destinations, and create employment
opportunities.

During the session, a resident shared her appreciation for the development efforts,
highlighting the positive impact on her life as she moved from shanty living conditions to
a much-improved new property. Another resident expressed support for ongoing
development initiatives while suggesting improvements in city services for community
residents are still lagging. In response, the Mayor of Addis Ababa directed the prompt
resolution of resident grievances, as announced in a press release on March 30th. This
pertains to the establishment of a grievance hearing committee in the Mayor’s Office
and all woredas where corridor development work is ongoing. The grievance hearing
committee will set out to collect and prioritize complaints and engage with citizens to
provide feedback or compensation.

Common questions

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Community participation is integral to the project, with city residents joining multiple discussion rounds on project planning. The corridor development emphasizes a people-centered approach, intending to benefit residents economically and socially. Public feedback is actively sought and incorporated via a grievance hearing committee established in the Mayor's Office and ongoing in all woredas, collecting, prioritizing complaints, and providing feedback or compensation .

Public discussions and panel meetings have been instrumental in shaping the project's trajectory. A diverse group of stakeholders, including engineers, government officials, and residents, convened to discuss project goals and implications. These engagements have facilitated mutual understanding and insights into economic and social outcomes, enabling adjustments to address public concerns effectively. The resulting alignment of developmental goals with citizens’ needs highlights the effectiveness of these interactions in refining project objectives .

Challenges and potential disruptions include impacts on government-owned or leased properties, low-income communities, and the private sector. Short-term disruptions may occur due to construction and displacement, causing inconvenience to affected residents and businesses. However, the government emphasizes long-term benefits such as improved infrastructure, better services, and economic growth. Stakeholder engagement and enhanced resettlement provisions aim to mitigate these challenges .

The project addresses urban growth by constructing infrastructure such as bicycle routes, pedestrian walkways, roads, and housing to accommodate a growing population. Additionally, utilities like drainage, power, and internet are upgraded to ensure a hospitable living environment. Resettlement provisions, improved working spaces, and feedback mechanisms further ensure that all residents, including those displaced, benefit fairly and continue to have access to city services .

Strategies for addressing grievances include the establishment of a grievance hearing committee within the Mayor's Office and across all woredas involved in the development. This committee is tasked with collecting and prioritizing complaints, engaging citizens for feedback, and providing compensation where necessary. The aim is to address residents' concerns promptly and ensure the project progresses smoothly while minimizing disruptions and enhancing community trust .

The project provides enhanced resettlement provisions, such as offering alternative accommodations in various sub-cities for those requiring larger land replacement. For residents wishing to stay downtown, housing options in central areas like Kirkos and Ledeta are available. Renters receive one year’s rent and moving expenses, while rental business operators are assisted with setting up permanent facilities. Additionally, small business owners and individuals with financial constraints are provided improved working spaces and newly constructed homes, respectively .

According to city officials and project leaders, long-term advantages include enhanced economic growth, improved infrastructure, better use of land resources, increased job creation, and expanded tourist attractions. These developments intend to raise Addis Ababa to a higher quality of metropolitan life, attracting investments and establishing the city as one of Africa’s premier urban centers, which will ultimately improve the living standards of its residents .

The project's implementation is grounded in extensive economic impact research, focusing on job creation, housing construction, and efficient land use. The expected economic outcomes include income growth for the city through enhanced infrastructure, increased investment, expanded tourist destinations, and employment opportunities. These outcomes aim to solidify Addis Ababa's status as one of Africa’s premier cities, as endorsed by Gosaye Bekele, CEO of Compass Consultancy Services, and Dr. Hirpo Beriso, an Assistant Professor of Urban Planning .

The primary goals of the Addis Ababa City Corridor Development Project include transforming Addis Ababa into a smart and modern city by reviving neglected urban districts and improving the quality of life for its citizens. The project focuses on constructing bicycle routes, pedestrian walkways, better roads, parks, libraries, and additional housing. It also aims to upgrade outdated drainage systems and utility networks such as power and internet. The expected impact includes enhanced infrastructure, historical preservation, and economic development with long-term benefits for citizens, despite potential short-term disruptions .

The project includes provisions for preserving historical sites while implementing urban development initiatives. The Mayor of Addis Ababa emphasized that the goal is not only to modernize the city but also to maintain its historical essence, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of cultural heritage. This balanced approach seeks to make the city beautiful and uplifts residents by integrating cultural significance into developmental plans .

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