Assessing the user’s needs in urban open space of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Public open spaces are standard chosen stations, where individuals can come together and partake in shared activities. Also, the overall purposes of open spaces are cultural and social involvement, integration of nature into a city, and promoters of a healthy lifestyle. However, Addis Ababa as the capital city of Ethiopia has been giving little contemplation to open space from government and private division. Which has led to the obliteration of the remaining open spaces leaving them to disappear. Meskel Square was taken as a case area for further investigation to specify the major cause of isolation, it has been a historical landmark and is located in the center of the city. The site was an eminent meet point for economic, social, and political use during the emperor Haileslase period but over the years it has remarkably reduced in numbers of users, and yet only a few discussions have been made in regards to the context of public open space and its relation to well beings of society in Ethiopia as a whole. Through studying related literature reviews, carrying out cross-sectional studies, physical observations, and analysis of the selected square the paper was able to identify the principal issues. The findings of the research showed the lack of awareness given to the subject, therefore accompanying the deficiency of up-to-date remodeling of the public space and inadequacy of proper physical features.