Challenges and Opportunities of Urban Green Infrastructures in Inner

Sub Cities of Addis Ababa: the case of Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities

MSc thesis in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design

Author: Alemaw Kefale

Thesis Advisor: Mulugeta Maru (MSc)

Ethiopian institute of Architecture, Building

Construction and City Development, Addis Ababa University

September, 2017

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This thesis is submitted to the Ethiopian institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City

Development (EiABC) and to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in the

Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Environmental

Planning and Landscape Design

Title of Thesis: Challenges and Opportunities of Urban Green Infrastructures in Inner sub
Cities of Addis Ababa: The case of Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities

By: Alemaw Kefale

September, 2017

Approved by Board of Examiners:

Mulugeta Maru (MSc) ___________________ ___________

Advisor Signature Date

Sisay Seifu (Dr) ___________________ ___________

External Examiner Signature Date

Solomon Benti (MSc) ___________________ ___________

Internal Examiner Signature Date

Fisseha Wegeyehu (PhD) ___________________ __________

Chair Person Signature Date

DECLARATION

I, the undersigned, declare that this thesis is my own and original work; to the best of my
knowledge and belief, It contains no material previously published or written by another person
and that all sources of material used for the thesis has been duly acknowledged, following the
scientific guidelines of the Institute.

Student’s Name: Alemaw Kefale

Signature ___________

Date ____________

CONFIRMATION

This thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as an Institute‟s advisor.

Advisor’s Name: Mulugeta Maru (MSc)

Signature: _________

Date: _____________
 ABSTRACT

Urban green infrastructures are essential elements of cities and contribute to the quality of life in
numerous ways by maintaining and regulating the environment. However, increased
urbanization and development have placed urban green infrastructures under extreme pressure,
while unplanned urban growth has resulted in the loss of urban landscape and ecosystems.
Among the Urban green infrastructures in Addis Ababa such as Street sides and medians trees,
permeable pavements, recreational parks, and river banks have challenges in inner city Areas.
This study has assessed Challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Inner
sub Cities of Addis Ababa: the case of Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities; specifically assessed urban
green infrastructures and challenges of recreational parks, Street sides and medians trees, and
Cobblestone roads of the study area. Thus, the study used both qualitative and quantitative
approaches with case study methodology where questionnaires (majorly close ended),
structured open ended interviews, and observation were used as data collection methods and
the analysis was done by using SPSS and Arc GIS. The sampling techniques used to do this
research were purposive sampling for selection of study cases, nonprobability convenient
sampling for collection of data from park users, and Stratified random sampling to collect data
about Cobblestone roads. Different challenges of recreational parks were identified such as
social, economic, management, technical, physical, and environmental. Furthermore the study
has revealed physical, management, technical, and environmental challenges are the
challenges of street sides and medians trees, and cobblestone roads in the study areas. On the
other hand the study has identified opportunities of UGIs such as UGI proclamations, standards,
strategies, policies, and principles among others. Based on the findings of the study it is
concluded that urban green infrastructures, in Inner sub Cities of Addis Ababa, faced different
challenges including social, physical, economic, environmental, technical and management
challenges. Therefore, recommendations are forwarded to address these challenges and bring
Sustainable UGI development and management.

Key words: challenges, opportunities, urban green infrastructures, inner cities, Addis Ababa

II
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost, I would like to forward my sincere thanks and appreciation to my advisor
Mulugeta Maru for his constructive comments, fruitful support, encouragement, and guidance in
bringing this work into reality. Then my heartfelt gratitude goes to AASBPDA, LIDETA and
KIRKOS sub city SBPDA, AAEPA, CPCO, AAUPI, AADPPO, AACRA, and AAWSA for their
willingness to provide relevant data which made this paper resourceful.

My special appreciation also goes to W/ro Almaz Mekonnen who is the manager of AASBPDA
for her deep interview and giving constructive information.

I would also thank my classmates for giving me feed backs and comments starting from the
beginning of this paper till the end.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation for my families for their encouragement and help
throughout my education.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................... II
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................III
List of figures ......................................................................................................................... VII
List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ X
Acronyms ................................................................................................................................ XI
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Background of the Study ................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Research Objective ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Research Questions ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.5 Scope of the Study .......................................................................................................................... 5
1.6 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................................ 6
1.7 limitation of the study ...................................................................................................................... 6
1.8. Organization of the Research ....................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................... 7
Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................................................... 7
2 .1 Definition of Green Infrastructures ............................................................................................... 8
2.1.2 Urban Green Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 9
2.2 Elements of Green Infrastructures ................................................................................................ 9
2.2.1 Urban Green spaces .................................................................................................. 9
2.2.2 Permeable Pavements ..............................................................................................13
2.3 Challenges of Integrating Green Qualities in Development plans ......................................... 15
2.3.1 Collaboration and Communication ............................................................................15
2.3.2 Lack of knowledge ....................................................................................................16
2.3.3 Tools .........................................................................................................................16
2.4 Strategies That Support Sustainable Communities and Urban Green Infrastructures ....... 17
2.5 Case study for Challenges of Urban Green infrastructures in inner City of Johannesburg
and its solution ...................................................................................................................................... 17
2.5.1 Challenges of Urban Green Infrastructures in inner city of Johannesburg .................17
2.5.2 Solutions taken for Challenges in inner City of Johannesburg ...................................18
2.6 Urban Green Infrastructure Standards of Ethiopia ................................................................... 19

IV
 2.6.1 General Standards ....................................................................................................19
2.6.2 Urban Green Infrastructure Elements Standards .......................................................22
2.7 Green Infrastructures in Addis Ababa..................................................................................24
2.7.1 Availability and Accessibility of Green Spaces in Addis Ababa ..................................24
2.7.2 Recreational Parks of Addis Ababa ...........................................................................27
2.7.3 Street trees ...............................................................................................................29
2.7.4 Cobblestone Roads in Addis Ababa ..........................................................................29
2.7.5 Challenges and Opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Addis Ababa ...........30
CHAPTER 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREAS AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .31
3.1 Description of the Study Areas .................................................................................................... 31
3.2 General Research Methodology ................................................................................................. 33
3.3 Research design ............................................................................................................................ 33
3.4 Case study selection criteria ........................................................................................................ 34
3. 5 Types and Sources of Data ........................................................................................................ 34
3.6 Data collection methods ............................................................................................................... 34
3.7 Data Analysis methods ................................................................................................................. 35
3.8 Sampling Method ........................................................................................................................... 35
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCCUSION ...........................................................................38
4.1 Respondents‟ Information in the Study areas ........................................................................... 38
4.2 Urban Green Infrastructures in the Study areas ....................................................................... 39
4.2.1 Recreational parks in Lideta and Kirkos sub cities.....................................................44
4.2.2 Availability and Distribution of Street sides and medians trees ..................................47
4.3 Challenges of Recreational Parks in the Study areas ........................................................ 48
4.3.1 Social challenges ......................................................................................................49
4.3.2 Economic challenges ................................................................................................57
4.3.3 Poor Capacity Building ..............................................................................................59
4.4 Challenges of Street sides and medians trees in the study areas ................................... 70
4.4.3 Environmental challenges .........................................................................................82
4.4.4 Poor Institutional and management challenges .........................................................83
4.5 challenges of Cobblestone roads in the study areas .......................................................... 84
4.5.1 Physical Challenges ..................................................................................................85
4.5.2 Environmental challenges .........................................................................................87

V
 4.5.3 Institutional and management challenges .................................................................90
4.6 Opportunities for Urban Green Infrastructures in the study areas ......................................... 91
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................100
5.1 conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 100
5.2 Recommendations....................................................................................................................... 102
References ............................................................................................................................105
Annex I: Check lists, Questionnaires and Interviews ............................................................ X
Annex II: supporting tables ................................................................................................ XVIII

VI
List of figures

Figure: 2. 1: conceptual frame work ........................................................................................... 7

Figure: 2. 2 Existing Environmental map of Addis Ababa in 2002 .............................................25
Figure2. 3 proposed Environmental map of Addis Ababa from 2017- 2027 ...............................26
Figure: 2. 4: bole woreda 3 zone 19 community development center ........................................28
Figure: 3. 5: location of the study Areas ....................................................................................31
Figure: 3. 6: Location of thematic cases ....................................................................................32
Figure: 4. 7 ecosystem services provision and need assessment respectively in Addis Ababa
2011..........................................................................................................................................40
Figure: 4. 8 : Availability, distribution, and connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in Lideta
and kirkos Sub Cities in 2012 ....................................................................................................41
Figure: 4. 9: Availability, distribution, and connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in Lideta
and kirkos Sub Cities in 2002 ....................................................................................................41
Figure: 4. 10: Distribution of Parks in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities.............................................43
Figure: 4. 11 : partial view of Tekle Haymanot Park ..................................................................44
Figure: 4. 12 partial view of Gola Park ......................................................................................45
Figure: 4. 13: partial view of Lideta Park ..................................................................................45
Figure: 4. 14 view of Ethio Cuba Park .......................................................................................46
Figure: 4. 15 partial view of Africa Park .....................................................................................47
Figure: 4. 16: sample pictures from streets from Gofa Mazoriya to Chrkos church and National
area to Amestigna .....................................................................................................................47
Figure: 4. 17 A and B: Area coverage of road surface types in KM 2in Lideta and Kirkos Sub
Cities respectively .....................................................................................................................48
Figure: 4. 18: Park users response in Africa and Tekle Hymanot Park about Distance from near
park...........................................................................................................................................49
Figure: 4. 19 Park users Response in Africa and Tekle Hymanot Park about Time taken to reach
near park...................................................................................................................................50
Figure: 4. 20 level of Satisfaction of Park users in the distribution of sub city parks ..................50
Figure: 4.21 Satisfaction sub city park accessibility ...................................................................50
Figure: 4. 22 : Total satisfaction of Park users about the sub city parks ....................................51
Figure: 4. 23: Satisfaction of respondents in quality of the parks ...............................................51
Figure: 4. 24: Park users‟ age in Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park ............................................52
Figure: 4. 25 Park users in Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park ....................................................52

VII
Figure: 4. 26 Absence of facilities for elders in Africa Park ........................................................53
Figure: 4.27: Park users satisfaction in children‟s playground Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park53
Figure: 4. 28 alcohol drinks area(A) and gambling houses(B) in Tekel Hymanot Park...............55
Figure: 4. 29 security issues in Africa Park................................................................................56
Figure: 4. 30: entry prices of Africa Park and Tekele Hyamont Park..........................................57
Figure: 4.31 respondents level of participation in recreational parks development ....................59
Figure: 4. 32: External and internal relation of concerned organizations to recreational park ...61
Figure: 4. 33 ornamental trees in Tekle Hymanot Park and no ornamental trees in Africa park .63
Figure: 4. 34 : fencing materials in Tekel Hymanot and Africa Park...........................................64
Figure: 4. 35 Facilities mentioned by Park users to be added in Tekele Hymanot and Africa Park
.................................................................................................................................................65
Figure: 4. 36 : park user‟s response to disturbance types .........................................................66
Figure: 4. 37 : waste dumping adjacent to Tekele Hymanot Park ..............................................66
Figure: 4.38: Aesthetically unpleasant area in theTekele Hymanot Park ...................................67
Figure: 4. 39 : Responses of park users on improvements of facilities in Africa and Tekel
Hyamnot Park ...........................................................................................................................68
Figure: 4. 40: lack of comfort and connivance of play grounds and other facilities in Africa and
Tekel Hymanot Park..................................................................................................................69
Figure: 4.41 :damaged plants in the study areas .......................................................................70
Figure: 4. 42: medians for parking and marketing area on street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos
Church ......................................................................................................................................71
Figure: 4. 43: houses supported by street trees ........................................................................71
figure : 4.44: street vendors intervention to street trees .............................................................72
Figure: 4.45 Gravilla along street medians and side in Africa union Round about to Bulgaria
Round about .............................................................................................................................73
Figure: 4.46: phoenix recilenta along street side and medians on Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos
Church ......................................................................................................................................74
Figure: 4. 47: columnar shape plants on the street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church and
spreading plants on the National Bank Area to Amistegna police station respectively ...............75
Figure: 4.48: trunk diameters greater than 30 cm on streets from Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria
Round about and National Bank Area to Amistegna police station respectively ........................76
Figure: 4.49: shrubs with height greater than 1 m on street from National Bank Area to
Amistegna police station ...........................................................................................................77
Figure: 4. 50: in appropriate location of street side trees ...........................................................78

VIII
Figure: 4. 51: Traffic signs located against the standard on the street from Maryam Tseble to
Bulgaria Round about and National Bank Area to Amistegna police station ..............................78
Figure: 4.52: in appropriate location of street side trees and utility manholes ............................79
Figure: 4. 53 in appropriate location of street utility poles ..........................................................80
Figure: 4.54: street side trees near the fences and buildings in the study areas ........................80
Figure: 4. 55: incompatible color and pointed fences on street from National Bank Area to
Amistegna police station ..............................................................................................81
Figure: 4. 56 : street side trees near the fences and buildings in the study areas ......................82
Figure: 4. 57 : waste dumping at the street trees in the study areas ..........................................82
Figure: 4. 58: selected Cobblestone roads in Lideta and kirkos subcities ..................................84
Figure: 4. 59 : degraded Cobblestone roads in the study areas ................................................85
Figure: 4.60 : traffic congestion in the study area ......................................................................85
Figure: 4.61: water clogged Cobblestone roads ........................................................................86
Figure: 4. 62: respondent‟s reaction to Cobblestone roads comfort for different activities .........86
Figure: 4. 63 respondents‟ satisfaction in Cobblestone roads of the study areas.......................87
Figure: 4.64 :pollution of Cobblestone roads by liquid and solid wastes ....................................88
Figure: 4. 65 : Temporal dimension of pollution .........................................................................89
figure : 4.66 : weekly sweeping of the roads by goverment .......................................................89
Figure: 4. 67 dust problems in the study areas ..........................................................................89

IX
List of Tables

Table: 2.1፡ street trees clearance standard from street scape elements ........................................ 12
Table 2.2 Area coverage of different green spaces in Addis Ababa ................................................ 24
Table: 2. 3 functional parks of Addis Ababa in 2014 .......................................................................... 28
Table: 2. 4 Summary of Cobblestone development status in AA from 2002E.C to 2009 E.C ..... 30
Table: 3. 5: Summary of data collection and analysis methods ........................................................ 37
Table: 4. 6: Respondents‟ information in the Study Areas ................................................................ 38
Table: 4. 7: Age of Respondents in the park........................................................................................ 38
Table: 4. 8 urban green infrastructures in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities ........................................... 42
According to AASBPDA reports of 2016 reports shown in annex II Table 9, there are 21 street
sides with total area of 21425m2 in kirkos sub city and 7 with total area of 8400m2 in Lideta sub
city. Most of them are developed by the government and the rests are developed by private
developers. ................................................................................................................................................ 47
Table: 4. 10 : Park users Response on forbidden activities in the park........................................... 54
Table: 4. 11 Respondent‟s affordability in Africa Park and Tekele Hyamont Park ........................ 57
Table: 4. 12 : problems mentioned by the respondents in the study areas .................................... 88
Table: 4. 13 summary of major research findings .............................................................................. 94
Table 14 some urban green spaces in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities in 2008 E.C ....................... XVIII
Table 15: Availability and Distribution of recreational parks in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities in
2008 E.C ................................................................................................................................................. XVIII
Table: 16 Availability of Roundabouts in the study areas ................................................................. XIX
Table 17 : Availability and Distribution of street islands in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities .............. XIX
Table 18 Availability and Distribution of street medians in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities ............... XX
Table 19 Availability and Distribution of street sides in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities ................... XXI

X
Acronyms

AA Addis Ababa

AACRA Addis Ababa City Road Authority

AACGSBPDA Addis Ababa City Government Sanitation, Beautification, and Park

Development Agency

AADPPO Addis Ababa Development Plan Preparation Office

AAEPA Addis Ababa Environmental Protection Agency

AAWSA Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority

AAUPI Addis Ababa Urban Planning Institute

CBD Central Business District

CPCO Cobblestone Project Coordination Office

CLUVA Climate Change and Urban Vulnerability in Africa

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EUNIS European nature Information System

FSS Forum for Social Studies

GIS Geographic Information System

GI Green Infrastructure

Ha Hectare

IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

MoUDH Ministry of Urban and Housing

UGI Urban Green Infrastructures

UMTs Urban Morphology Types

UN-Habitat United Nation Habitat

SPSS Statistical Package for Social Science

SBPDA Sanitation, Beautification, and Park Development Agency

XI
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

More than half of the world‟s population now lives in urban Areas. By 2050 more than half of
Africa and Asia‟s population will live in towns and cities (David, 2013). A range of strategies are
used to integrate the environment in urban planning and management.

As cited in Tsige(2015),Rouse and Bunster(2013) listed six principles should be fulfilled in the
planning and design of green infrastructures .Thus include (1)multi functionality, (2)connectivity,
(3)habitability, (4)resilience, (5)identity and (6)return on investment Resiliency: it is the ability to
recover from or adapt to disturbance and change. Green infrastructure can play roles, such as
tree and green buildings for heat islands, maintaining flood absorption, permeable pavement
etc.

Besides these principles; discussing the importance of participation, politics, and political
commitment; harmonization and multi-level governance; and identifying and overcoming gaps
and challenges of urban Areas are important to integrate environment in planning through
environmental strategies like urban green infrastructure planning (Cheng, 2013).

Urban green infrastructures are one of the environmental strategies for climate change
adaptation and emerging planning innovation as the interplay between greening and reducing
social vulnerability (Cheng, 2013). So that as stated in David (2013) urban green infrastructures
should be supported by the above key underlying principles especially in inner city areas where
the many people live and many activities are held.

It wasn‟t until the 19th century that the importance of urban green infrastructures for residents
was recognized to some extent (Swan wick et al., 2003). Today, it is understood that urban
green infrastructures are essential for well-functioning and livable cities because they play a
significant role in everyday life; contribute to the conservation of biodiversity; contribute to the
cultural identity of the city; help maintaining and improving the environmental quality of the city;
and bring natural solutions to technical problems. Urban Green infrastructures bring natural
solutions for sewage treatment through assimilation, purification and etc in cities (Sandstorm,
2002).

Demuzere (2014) discusses Green urban infrastructure has been indicated as promising for
reducing the adverse effects of climate change in urban Areas, for example, by balancing water

1
flows to alleviate flooding, providing thermal comfort by shading vegetation, and supporting
coping capacities by providing people with opportunities to grow food for themselves.

Urban green infrastructures are essential elements of cities, contributing to the quality of life in
numerous ways. However, densification strategies create a complex relationship between urban
development and the quality, as well as the quantity, of urban green space (Yigitcanlar, 2015).
On the same way increased urbanization and development have placed urban green
infrastructures under extreme pressure, while unplanned urban growth has resulted in the loss
of urban landscape and ecosystems (Wright et al., 2002).

Due to the changes in social, economic and spatial conditions that have occurred currently and
those that are expected in the future, urban planning is forced to shift its emphasis to meet new
challenges such as “inner development” of settlements (inner development, means the
mobilization of brown fields, underused Areas, former railway Areas and vacant buildings for
settlement purposes, inside the already settled Area of cities and towns) (Elgendy, 2004).This
implies currently and in the future in inner and dense part of cities green infrastructures will not
be given priority, it is one of the challenges of urban green infrastructures. Spatial planning in
the future should emphasize inner development rather than urban growth. Because in the future
negative demographic trends, limited public resources, economic crisis, and ecological
problems will happen. The highest slum concentration in the world is situated in Africa with 72%
of its urban residents (UN-HABITAT, 2009).

Elias (2008) stated that like in many developing cities, a rapid population growth and high rural-
urban migration poses many environmental problems to the city of Addis Ababa, especially in
the old settlement Areas. These old and unplanned inner city settlements of Addis Ababa, which
only cover less than 15% of the total area(54,000 ha), house 40% of the city‟s population.

Moreover, inner city residential neighborhoods are characterized by overcrowding, inadequate

services, scarcity of water supply, and lack of toilets and are susceptible to flooding and natural
as well as manmade hazards. According to the structural plan of the city (2002), urban renewal
strategy is strongly desired in these inner city areas to overcome the problems and in order to
enhance the underutilized inner city land which in turn will transform the image of the city
(Munir, 2012).

As cited in Samson (2014), Dimoudi et al. (2003) Green infrastructure in urban areas has an
important role to play in ameliorating the warming effects of climate change and the urban heat

2
island. Provision of green infrastructure can reduce higher urban temperatures through
evapotranspiration, direct shading, and conversion of solar radiation to latent heat. Increasing
the current area of green infrastructure in Great Manchester by 10 %( in areas with little or no
vegetation cover) could result in a cooling of up to2.50c.

Kumelachew (2015) suggests the existence of a considerable surface urban heat island in
Addis Ababa. The difference in surface temperatures across the UMTs of built and green
surfaces is around 28°C which considers inner cities and outer areas of Addis Ababa. Jing et .al
(2016) states Areas with high building density have more UHI, in contrast to urban green spaces
and their surrounding areas where no, or only weak, heat islands were found.

Green infrastructures are very critical to bring sustainable development by maintaining and
regulating the environment. Since Sustainable development aims to provide for the social and
economic needs of society, while protecting environmental resources and values for the future
(Randolph, 2004).

Thus this paper asses the challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Inner
sub cities of Addis Ababa in order to bring sustainable development of them.

3
 1.2 Problem Statement

Today, cities are facing enormous challenges, such as climate change, demographic aging, and
natural resource depletion. According to Marthe et al. (2016) cities are particularly prone to the
effects of climate change. Demuzere (2014) Stated Urban areas are facing increasing
challenges from climate change, such as, floods, droughts, heat waves and other threats to
human comfort and environmental injustice. In third world countries Inner cities have old aged
infrastructure and infrastructure challenges especially in urban green infrastructures (gossye,
2015).

Like other cities, Addis Ababa faced challenges from flooding, threats to human comfort and
environmental injustice (Dubbale et al., 2010) which could be mitigated by urban Green
infrastructures. It is one of the cities of Ethiopia that has experienced environmental
deterioration and, in some cases, the disappearance of its green Areas particularly Inner parts
(Yewoinesh, 2007). However, Munir (2012) indicated some opportunities that Inner Sub Cities of
Addis Ababa cannot benefit from yet regarding urban green infrastructures due to management
challenges like Master plan of Addis Ababa that was developed in 2002.

Among the Urban green infrastructures in Addis Ababa such as Street sides and medians trees,
permeable pavements, recreational parks, and river banks have challenges in inner city Areas
of Addis Ababa. So that it is a need to study the challenges and opportunities of them to
develop Urban Green Infrastructures sustainably. Thus; the consolidated problem statement of
this study is challenges of urban green infrastructures particularly recreational parks, Street
sides and medians trees, and Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa that would
be assessed with the opportunities of them in this study.

1.3 Research Objective

The General Objective of the paper is to study the challenges and opportunities of urban green
infrastructures in Inner Sub Cities of Addis Ababa and to forward valuable recommendations.

It has the following Specific objectives

1. To assess the spatial distribution and connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in the
study Areas.
2. To assess the challenges of recreational parks, Street sides and medians trees, and
Cobblestone roads in the study Areas.

4
 3. To identify the opportunities for urban green Infrastructures in the study areas
4. To forward valuable recommendations for providing GIs in the Inner Sub Cities of Addis
Ababa.

1.4 Research Questions

Basically the research questions are based on what drawbacks and constraints urban green
infrastructures have in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa; what do they lack regarding the services
they give and what challenges they face.

The study tries to answer the following questions

1. What are the types of urban green infrastructures and how they are distributed in the study
areas?
2. What are the challenges of recreational parks, Street sides and medians trees, and
Cobblestone roads in the study Areas?
3. What opportunities do urban green infrastructures have in the study areas?
4. How can UGI be enhanced and develop sustainably?

1.5 Scope of the Study

Spatial Scope

The study is geographically demarcated in the inner sub cities of Addis Ababa; LIDETA Sub
City and KIRKOS Sub City.

Thematic Scope

The thematic scope of the study is limited to urban green infrastructures particularly recreational
parks, Street sides and medians trees and permeable pavements particularly Cobblestone
roads: It only focuses on : assessment on spatial distribution and connectivity of urban green
infrastructures; social inclusivity of elderly and children in recreational Areas ,economic
considerations of urban poor, political (level of community participation ,hierarchy of
management and follow up), social (land use change, compatibility ,accessibility, suitability) and
; physico- environmental challenges of street medians and trees ; and challenges of permeable
pavements particularly Cobblestone Roads in terms of comfort to residents, environmental
pollution, and physical degradation.

5
 1.6 Significance of the Study

Beside the ecological and environmental benefits, urban green infrastructures play a role in
social wellbeing. Urban green infrastructures are emphasized in policy documents across the
world and are considered as a key dimension of the sustainable city. This study can have
management related, socio-economic, ecological, and academic significance. So the study is
hoped to create a better understanding about the challenges and opportunities of urban green
infrastructures in inner city Areas of Addis Ababa so as to give the right response towards
bringing sustainable and livable city. This research is also valuable towards providing
information to residents, passersby, Investors, government, planners, and other stake holders
by identifying challenges and opportunities of green infrastructures. Besides, this study may
also lay baseline information to the next work who would like to conduct detailed and
comprehensive studies in this study Area and other study Area.

1.7 limitation of the study

During the data collection some of the Respondents did not openly and timely respond on
questionnaires which had been made the data collection period long. Absence of sufficient and
latest literature regarding Cobblestone roads and its importance to the environment in Ethiopian
context is another limitation.

1.8. Organization of the Research

The research paper is divided into five chapters .The first chapter gives a brief introduction to
urban green infrastructure and describes the research problem, research questions, research
objectives, limitations, and scope of the study. The second chapter enlightens the reader about
urban green infrastructures. It also provides definition of terms and concepts. In Chapter 3 the
study area and Research methodology are described. In chapter 4 Presentation of results and
Discussion are presented according to the research objectives with the main findings of the
research paper. Finally chapter 5 contains recommendations based on the findings of the study
and concludes with suggestions for issues to be considered. Conclusion, planning, and
management Recommendations are forwarded.

6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Conceptual Framework

Assessment of the challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Inner Sub
Cities of Addis Ababa would provide essential information that is used in green infrastructure
planning of cities especially Inner Cities. The researcher came up with expected results of the
paper with proper approach. First Literatures were reviewed about challenges, benefits, and
opportunities of urban green infrastructures. Among the components of green infrastructures
recreation parks, Street sides and medians trees, and Cobblestone roads were reviewed in
terms of challenges, benefits, opportunities, standards, accessibility, and suitability and etc.
After the literature review questionnaires and interviewers were developed and collection of data
was held.

Challenges and opportunities of

urban green infrastructures

 Recreational parks
 Street side‟s and median‟s
trees
Challenges
 Cobble stone roads Opportunities

 social
 economic  Standards
 political  Development goals
 technical
 urban renewal and local
 environmental
 institutional development plans
 physical

 draw backs and limitations Urban green

infrastructure Service
of UGI in inner cities
provisions, development,
 What do UGI lack?
and sustainability
 Challenges that UGI face.

Sustainable UGI development and management

Figure: 2. 1: conceptual frame work
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

7
 2 .1 Definition of Green Infrastructures

The definitions of green infrastructures are defined in different scholars with regard to their
backgrounds and disciplines.

Originally, “green” infrastructure was identified with parkland, forests, wetlands, greenbelts, or
floodways in and around cities that provided improved quality of life or “ecosystem services”
such as water filtration and flood control. Now, green infrastructure is more often related to
environmental or sustainability goals that cities are trying to achieve through a mix of natural
approaches (Josh et al. , 2011).

According to Anna Serra-Llobet(2016) „green infrastructure‟ refers both to a set of storm water
best practices that provide multiple benefits, and more broadly to interconnected networks of
green spaces that provide multiple benefits for wildlife, human recreation, and water quality
(Matthews, et al. 2015), or “natural, semi-natural, and artificial networks of multifunctional
ecological systems within, around and between urban Areas” (Tzoulas et al., 2007).

As mentioned in Joshua et al.(2012), Benedict & McMahon (2002) define UGI as it is the
networks of wild lands, woodlands, waterways, and wetlands that, when combined with green
roofs, permeable paving, vegetative swales, parks, and green streets, support ecological
processes and contribute to human health and quality of life.

based on Sri Maryatia (2015) Green infrastructure (GI) is defined as a set of techniques,
technologies, management approaches, and practices that can be used to eliminate or reduce
amount of storm water and nonpoint source runoff including water and pollutants that run into
combined sewer overflow system.

Green Infrastructure can be broadly defined as a strategically planned network of high quality
natural and semi-natural Areas with other environmental features, which is designed and
managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services and protect biodiversity in both rural
and urban settings. More specifically GI, being a spatial structure providing benefits from nature
to people, aims to enhance nature‟s ability to deliver multiple valuable ecosystem goods and
services, such as clean air or water (EuropeanCommission, 2013). Asmelash (2013) Defined
green infrastructure as parts of urban Area with a mix of street trees, parks, cultivated land,
wetlands, lakes, and streams that are interconnected.

8
Generally green infrastructures are those infrastructures that give benefits to the people without
affecting the environment in other words those infrastructures that are eco-friendly with the
environment are called green infrastructures. So that this and paragraph 4 of page 8 were
working definitions of this study since they categorize preamble pavements like cobblestone
under GI.

2.1.2 Urban Green Infrastructure

Urban green infrastructure can be interpreted as a hybrid infrastructure of green spaces and
built systems, e.g. forests, wetlands, parks, green roofs, and walls that together can contribute
to ecosystem resilience and human benefits through ecosystem services (Marthe et al ., 2016).
They are green infrastructures that are found in the urban Areas.

2.2 Elements of Green Infrastructures

Elements of green infrastructure include open Areas such as urban forests, large public parks,
gardens, playing fields, rights-of-way along streams and roads, and constructed features such
as green roofs, permeable vegetated surfaces, swales, rain gardens, and “green streets” (Mell
et al, 2013 ; Matthews et al., 2015) (Anna et al. , 2016).

“Green” infrastructure and technological practices include green, blue, and white roofs; hard
and soft permeable surfaces; green alleys and streets; urban forestry; green open spaces such
as parks and wetlands; and adapting buildings to better cope with floods and coastal storm
surges (Josh et al, 2011).

EuropeanCommission (2013) Discusses that Green Infrastructure is made up of a wide range of

different environmental features which can operate at different scales, from small linear features
such as hedgerows or fish ladders or green roofs to entire functional ecosystems, such as intact
floodplain forests, peat lands, or free-flowing rivers. Each one of these elements can contribute
to GI in urban, peri-urban, and rural Areas, inside and outside protected Areas.

2.2.1 Urban Green spaces

Urban Green Areas include any natural elements in towns and cities that provide an ecological
or ecosystem service function (Losarcos, 2010) . This includes urban elements such as green
parks, green walls, and green roofs that host biodiversity and allow ecosystems to function and
deliver their services by connecting urban, peri- urban and rural Areas.

9
Under the Habitats complexes category of the EUNIS habitat classification, green urban Areas
include the following habitats:

 Large parks: large, varied green spaces within towns and cities, usually >5 ha. These
include small woods, mown lawns, water bodies (semi-natural or artificial), flower beds and
shrubberies and semi-natural grassland or woodland enclaves.
 Small city-centre non-domestic gardens: usually <0.5 ha often partitioned by walls located
inside city blocks and completely or almost completely surrounded by architectural
structures. They may contain mown lawns, flower beds and native or ornamental trees. For
the purposes of this project, it will also be understood to include green roofs.
 Large non-domestic gardens: typically 0.5.5 ha, more restricted in diversity than large
parks, usually similar composition and aspect to small city-centre non-domestic gardens.
 Domestic gardens of cities and town centres: usually <0.5 ha with very mixed species-rich
flora and fauna.
 Domestic gardens of villages and urban peripheries: usually <0.5 ha, with very mixed
species-rich flora and fauna, in close proximity to human dwellings, agricultural land, natural
or semi-natural habitats.

2.2.1.1 Recreational parks

As stated in Sipe( 2010) Parks can be variously described as urban parks, nature parks, pocket
parks, district parks, community parks, neighborhood parks, sporting fields, urban forests, and
the like. But there are other ways of classifying parks too. These include factors such as the
activities that occur within the park (e.g. cricket oval, Skateboard Park, bowling green), the
agency responsible for managing the park (e.g. national park, state park, city park), the history
of the park (e.g. heritage rose garden or Bora Ring park), the condition of the park, the land use
history of the Area (e.g. Victorian-era park or street-corner neighborhood park), the types of
people who use the park, landscaping and flourishes (e.g. sculpture park, dog park, bike park or
Chinese garden) and the philosophy behind the park‟s development (e.g. recreation reserve or
civic square).

2.2.1.1.1 The challenges faced by urban parks

In large cities, park expenditures have been flat or declining despite the encouragement of
taxpayers to increase spending (Association, 2011). There has been inadequate investment in
landscaping, playscapes, ball fields, walking and biking trails, recreation centers, and other

10
community facilities, which are not replaced when they come to the end of their useful lives.
According to LeVario(2011) crime is one of the challenges face urban parks ,some of the crimes
that are happened regularly in the park are Murder, Arson, Rape, Theft, Assault, Robbery,
Vehicle, Theft, and Burglary.

Undertaking the revitalization or creation of a new urban park or recreation Area, agencies face
challenges to the mission and programs of public parks as well as other issues that impact the
viability of successful park and recreation programming including:

 Catering to a variety of constituencies that have different expectations and goals;

 Diminished funding and resources limit the ability of park and recreation agencies to
respond to community needs;
 Public perception that access to urban parks and recreation programs should be free;
 Park and recreation departments are losing the competition for general fund dollars; and
 Deferred maintenance totals over $1 billion in many large cities.

2.2.1.2 Street sides and medians trees

Street trees are planted trees on pedestrian roads, in road medians and road corridor and they
are part of the overall green infrastructure component of cities (Kumelachew,2015).

Street trees are the most important organizing element of the streetscape environment.
Appropriate tree species selection and location and design of the planting site will ensure the
healthy growth and longevity of trees, enhance streetscape character, and maximize the City‟s
investment. It has been demonstrated that street trees enhance property values in residential
neighborhoods and commercial Areas (Christopher et al., 2011).

2.2.1.2.1 Challenges of Street Trees

Planting a diverse urban forest with the right tree in the right place can enhance a city
streetscape and reduce the long-term cost of tree replacement and maintenance (Farley, 2013).

Although essential in an urban forest, street trees create numerous challenges for municipalities
as well as private owners. Lack of species diversity is usually pronounced. In addition,
inappropriate species are commonly planted along streets. Numerous variables such as
proximity to buildings or vehicular traffic, soil Area, exposure, and road salt usage should also
be considered when planting any tree.

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 2.2.1.2.2 Street Trees Design Guideline case study

As stated in journal of (Christopher et al, 2011) a guide to street design in urban India; many
guidelines are stated about street trees and street medians as follows with related to other
street elements and street amenities like street benches, utility lines, man holes and etc. In
Ethiopia, There are guide lines generally about green infrastructures and specifically about
street green elements that can secure green elements of the streets but there are problems and
challenges of street trees especially regarding guidelines and standards.

Appropriate tree species selection should consider: form, mature size, color, and texture to
reflect the urban design goals of a street; the mature tree canopy with respect to how it may
affect street and pedestrian lighting or views of signage and building fronts; the potential for root
systems to affect sidewalks, curbs, and utilities; and impacts and constraints created by local
climate.

Trees adjacent to streetscape elements: Minimum guidelines for sidewalk element clearance
from street trees on a public sidewalk are:

Table: 2.1፡ street trees clearance standard from street scape elements

Parking Sign (0.9m) Utility Boxes (0.9m) Fire Escapes (3 m)

Parking Meters (0.9m) Pedestrian Furniture (0.9m) Utility Poles (1.5 m)
Sewers (1.5 m) Fire Hydrants 5 feet (1.5 m) Traffic Sign (1.5 m)
Source: Christopher kost, m. n. (2011), better streets, better cities: environmental planning collaborative.

Trees in Street Medians: as stated in Christopher et al. (2011) Trees may be planted in
medians 4 feet or wider, including curbs. Trees planted in medians should have arching canopy
structures that provide visibility without excessive pruning, or be upright and columnar in form.
Tree species selected for planting on median strips that are 4 to 6 feet wide should be expected
to grow to trunk diameters no greater than 12 inches. On median strips greater than 6 feet wide,
trees obtaining larger diameters may be used. Trees located in medians should have a vertical
clearance of the lowest branch of 8 feet in height over the median, and 14 feet in height for any
portion of the tree that overhangs the roadway. Shrubs located in the median should not exceed
3 feet (1 m) above the roadway. Tree branches that extend into the path of travel must maintain
80 inches (2m) of vertical clearance.

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 2.2.2 Permeable Pavements

2.2.2.1 Cobblestone

Berihun (2015) defined Cobblestone (Dressed stone) - as Cubic pieces of stone larger than
setts, usually shaped by hand and built into a road surface layer or surface protection. They are
larger granular materials and their sizes generally range from approximately 6” to 24” diameter
and are available in a variety of stones and colors.

According to UN-Habitat (2013) In the secondary cities where formal administrations have
recently been established, urban population pressure particularly causes delays in urban
service provision, with a significant impact on peoples‟ living conditions. Generally in Ethiopia
the growth of urban infrastructure is not harmonized with that of the ever growing number of
urban population. In most cities across Ethiopia‟s urban roads are in urgent need of upgrading,
since many secondary or internal roads were dusty, sandy or graveled. And the government of
Ethiopia uses Cobblestone as one source of materials for road construction in urban Areas.

Cobblestone uses natural and local materials; does not require imported machinery; creates
jobs and opportunities for construction entrepreneurs; does not depend on imported oil, as
asphalt does; is cost-effective compared to concrete or asphalt roads; makes towns and cities
more beautiful (UN-Habitat, 2013).

Defined Permeable pavements or pervious surfaces are those pavements that accumulate and
then allow water flow across and in when water passes on them such as storm water runoff.
Permeable pavement allows storm water to slowly seep through (infiltrate), reaching the soil and
groundwater below the surface (ortiz).

A variety of permeable pavement materials are available, such as interlocking pavers, porous
asphalt, pervious concrete, and manufactured grass pavers. Interlocking pavers consist of
precast blocks (primarily brick or concrete) that are aligned in such a way that water is able to
pass between the blocks into the soil below.

In Ethiopia Cobblestone is one of the best materials that could make permeable surfaces and
which are important for making streets, parking, and different pavements. It has Objectives of
Reduce storm water runoff volume from paved surfaces, Reduce peak discharge rates,
Increase recharge through infiltration, Reduce pollutant transport through direct infiltration, and
Improve site landscaping benefits.

13
 2.2.2.1.1 Factors that Determine Suitability for Permeable Pavements
(Cobblestone)

Traffic load: - Permeable paving is well suited for many residential and commercial
applications. However, because it‟s load-bearing capacity is lower than that of conventional
pavement, permeable paving should not be used in Areas subject to excessive loads or high-
speed traffic (ortiz). Permeable paving is most appropriate for pedestrian-only Areas and for
very low-volume, low-speed vehicle Areas such as overflow parking Areas, residential
driveways, alleyways, and parking stalls. It should not be used in Areas with high pollutant loads
because the storm water is not pre-treated before infiltration.

Slope: - Exclude any surfaces that accumulate a lot of sediment and debris as this can clog the
surface and reduce the effectiveness of the system. Only include Areas that have a gradient, or
slope, that will direct water away from the foundation of your home or other nearby structures,
and include only those Areas with a slope of less than 5%.

Soil: - The type of soil found on your property is an important consideration. Soil conditions do
not constrain the use of permeable pavement, although they do determine whether an under
drain is needed. Soils such as sand and loam are permeable and allow water to infiltrate fairly
rapidly. In contrast, clay soils can be impermeable and will probably require an under drain
system to prevent ponding (ortiz).

Similarly factors that determine suitability for permeable pavements stated by (Planning Council)
as Permeable paving is appropriate for pedestrian-only Areas and for very low-volume, low-
speed Areas such as overflow parking Areas, residential driveways, alleys, and parking stalls
Permeable paving is an excellent technique for dense urban Areas because it does not require
any additional land. (Planning Council).

Permeable paving is not ideal for high traffic/high speed Areas because it has lower load-
bearing capacity than conventional pavement. Nor should it be used on storm water “hotspots”
with high pollutant loads because storm water cannot be pretreated prior to infiltration.

2.2.2.1.2 Limitations of Cobblestones

Cobblestones can be prone to clogging from sand and fine sediments that fill void spaces and
the joints between pavers. As a result, it should be used carefully where frequent winter sanding

14
is necessary because the sand may clog the surface of the material. Periodic maintenance is
critical, and surfaces should be cleaned with a vacuum sweeper at least three times per year.

As Permeable paving should not receive storm water from other drainage Areas, especially any
Areas that are not fully stabilized Cobblestone should not too.

Cobblestone can only be used on gentle slopes (<5%); it cannot be used in high-traffic Areas or
where it will be subject to heavy axle loads.

Sources of Pollution: - The introduction of dirt or sand onto the paving surface, whether
transported by runoff from elsewhere or carried by vehicles, will contribute to premature
clogging and failure of the paving (Planning Council).

2.3 Challenges of Integrating Green Qualities in Development plans

When it comes to land use planning, conflict arises for several reasons, including the competing
demands for the use of land, uneven distribution of costs and benefits resulting from the
development, and the environmental impacts arising from land use changes (Short et al., 2013).
Challenges could be clustered in four broad categories: collaboration, green quality
management, implementation of densification, and tools. These challenges include: a lack of
collaboration and communication; lack of knowledge regarding green spaces and qualities; and
the inefficient use of Environmental impact assessment tools (Sara et al., 2015).

2.3.1 Collaboration and Communication

Weak collaboration and communication were found for creating professional barriers as well as
hindering the exchange of knowledge between them.

As stated by Håkansson (2000), “a municipal public administration is not a unified organization,

but is instead populated by a number of different professional groups, each an expert in its own
field. Experts belong to various municipal administrative units, all of which have developed their
own traditions and procedures, which influence their work.” This separation amongst the
municipal departments was quite evident in the municipalities. Each department was focused on
their specific specialization, often overlooking and not showing interest in issues outside of their
professional knowledge, such as green qualities.

With improved communication and collaboration the different municipal departments could
share and develop knowledge and thereby bring their professional expertise to bear on

15
integrating green qualities. However, even with the understanding and acceptance of the
importance of collaboration and communication, methods for collaboration were not well
developed (Sara et al., 2015).

2.3.2 Lack of knowledge

Another challenge is lack of knowledge regarding the value of existing urban green spaces, as
well as the qualities associated with them. This problem led to many other challenges. The lack
of knowledge on green qualities of cities or urban regions leads to land use planning and
management decisions based on inadequate information on the benefits that humans can
derive (Niemelä et al., 2010).

As stated by Sara et al. (2015) lack of knowledge regarding the value of certain green spaces
led to challenges in decision-making regarding where to develop for human benefits rather than
biodiversity and vice versa. Moreover, it was difficult for the municipal planners to decide which
urban green spaces to enhance, preserve, or integrate in the municipal densification plans and
projects. Furthermore, this lack of knowledge led to a conflict of views between the developers
and planners. This was mostly due to developers not being aware of the long-term benefits of
enhancing, preserving, or integrating green qualities simultaneously with the development. The
planners revealed that in most cases the developers were more concerned for the short term-
economic benefits, rather than the long-term environmental and social benefits.

2.3.3 Tools

Policies and tools are not well developed for green space planning (Pauleit et al., 2003). Baker
et al. (2013) also mention that IA tools are being viewed more as a hurdle rather than a useful
tool for decision-making. When the municipalities were asked specifically about the role of SEA
and EIA for the integration of green qualities into their densification plans and projects, many
revealed the limited use of these tools. In most cases, the proposed development projects were
foreseen to not have negative impacts, overlooking the potential impacts on surrounding urban
green spaces; and so they were screened out at a very early stage. Also, most of the municipal
comprehensive plans lacked focus on green qualities. In the instances when EIA or SEA was
used, they were limited to the assessment of impacts while poorly addressing mitigation and
compensation measures, as well as monitoring plans.

16
 2.4 Strategies That Support Sustainable Communities and Urban Green
Infrastructures

Sustainable communities that fully integrate urban green infrastructure approaches use
community design to help simultaneously achieve environmental, economic, and social goals
(Kramer, 2014). These goals include improving water quality, revitalizing neighborhoods,
reducing flood risk, and providing recreational Areas that encourage physical activity.

The following strategies illustrate how urban green infrastructure can enhance sustainable
communities‟ approaches and help achieve a wide range of goals, including to:

 Preserve and Restore Open Space, Natural Beauty, and Critical Environmental Areas.
 Create Parks, Community Gardens, and Other Public Green Spaces.
 Direct Development Toward Existing Communities.
 Create Compact, Mixed-Use Development Promote Green Building Practices.
 Build Neighborhood Streets and Trails That Encourage Walking and Biking.
 Cultivate Communities with a Strong Sense of Place.
 Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration in Development Decisions.

Martina et al. (2017) stated the main principles in the planning of UGI are related to green
structure (multi-object approach, integration, connectivity, multi-functionality, and multi-scale
approach) and governance processes (strategic approach, social inclusion, and Trans
disciplinarily)

2.5 Case study for Challenges of Urban Green infrastructures in inner

City of Johannesburg and its solution

2.5.1 Challenges of Urban Green Infrastructures in inner city of Johannesburg

The inner city lies at the heart of Gauteng, the economic hub of Southern Africa. It is home to
some 211,000 people, with the population expected to 256,000 in 2010. The inner city has
suffered a long period of decline (Johannesburg Development Agency, 2001).

A number of factors contributed to this: high land values and rentals in the Central Business
District, congestion, lack of parking spaces, and a restructuring in the office market that saw
demand for office parks grow, and the subsequent development of suburban shopping malls.
The process of decentralization was intensified by problems of crime and grime, unregulated

17
street trading, inadequate facilities for taxis. In turn, these factors lead to further symptoms of
urban decay in the inner city: vacant buildings, badly maintained buildings, and squatting, illegal
conversions, overcrowding, poorly serviced, and unmanaged public areas (Johannesburg
Development Agency, 2001).

Johannesburg Development Agency (2001) states Some of the urban green infrastructures
challenges in the Gauteng which include lack of enforcement of Municipal by-laws, particularly
in relation to land-use; building control regulations, especially in relation to illegal conversions of
office buildings and factory space to residential use and overcrowding of existing residential
properties; and, illegal dumping and littering.

Serious problems arising from deregulated and unmanaged informal and street trading; Decay
of residential buildings, lack of re-investment and maintenance, overcrowding, and illegal
occupation of buildings; vulnerability of children living on the streets; homelessness; limited and
inadequate public spaces and recreation facilities; Service delivery problems, particularly in
regard to waste management in residential areas and street and traffic light
outages(Johannesburg Development Agency, 2001).

2.5.2 Solutions taken for Challenges in inner City of Johannesburg

Focusing on the basics: Efficient service delivery, especially in regard to waste management;
rapid and effective enforcement of municipal by-laws, especially in regard to building control,
land use management, and street trading; effective policing and enhancement of green in the
inner city; and, Expeditious decision-making.

Working Collaboratively: The document further discussed that addressing the problems of the
inner city; and securing its revitalization requires the combined effort of a range of role players.
Inter-governmental collaboration, and working with and securing the support of other key
stakeholders for success and sustainability.

As Chirisa (2014) discussed the inner city in Johannesburg emerges that collaboration with the
private sector yield best results in revitalization initiatives. And they have done five critical
issues, these are.

 The city is an ecosystem with natural, social, political, and economic organisms and
processes.

18
 To achieve sustainability in inner-city revitalization and from an ecological lens, interaction of
the processes in the city ecosystem must be tapped, harnessed, and capitalized upon.
 Conceptualization and rethinking of the concept of sustainable development in cities through
ecological planning and paradigms such as garden city, garden suburb, and eco-cities is
long overdue.
 The principal objective of inner-city development is the redress of physical decay in cities to
increase the economic base for the city and its inhabitants.
 Multi-pronged approaches for inner-city development are required and often prove to have
varying degrees of success, but the best method is full participation of all stakeholders
taking into account a full detail and inventory of the socio-economic and environmental
assets in the inner city.

2.6 Urban Green Infrastructure Standards of Ethiopia

2.6.1 General Standards

According to MoUDH(2015) Urban green infrastructure (UGI) shall be managed and

administered in the interests of the local community and shall address its needs. It provides brief
note on the location, accessibility, and capacity of green and gray components of UGI.

2.6.1.1 Location, Capacity and Accessibility

 Urban Planning preparation and Implementation Strategy should allocate 30% of the land
for roads and infrastructure, 30% for green Areas and shared public use and 40% for
building construction in their urban land management plan.
 Accessibility standard should override the quantity standard. In circumstances where a
settlement or neighborhood has a relatively high level of public green open space but some
houses do not meet the accessibility standard this shall be addressed.
 Public green open spaces shall be evenly distributed within the city to keep the distances
people have to travel to a green open space low
 Public green open spaces should be connected (1) with each other to create one large UGI
network within the city, and (2) with green and nature in the urban fringe and outside the
city. Existing natural / water / topographical characteristics of the Area should be used as
starting points to guide the planning of the network and the location of the green open
spaces.

19
 Economy: - Competent authorities may require members of the public to pay an entry fee to
use public green open space. However, authorities shall keep in mind that many spaces are
used by people who have no other free access to green spaces where they live, do not have
gardens, do not have cars and might not be able to afford entry fees.

2.6.1.2 The Green Components

 Wherever possible, existing vegetation (especially. trees) should be preserved.

 For planting in all green infrastructure elements, indigenous plant species shall be preferred
and plants with invasive character shall be avoided.

 There should be diverse plant selection to improve the social, economic, and environmental
value of a particular space, unless otherwise stated in different UGI elements standards.

 There should be enough space that is provided for plants to grow healthy.

 Type and size of plants, especially trees, and the required clearances and spacing etc. shall
always be appropriate to the space available. Narrow Areas suggest a narrow tree and wide
Areas suggest a wide tree. Wider spacing is recommended for ensuring sunny Areas,
reduced spacing is recommended to provide more shady Areas.

 When selecting plants it is essential that the mature height, trunk diameter and root zone is
appropriate for the location. Location and mature size of plants shall never conflict with
structures and services.

 Root deflection barrier panels should be used in planting Areas located within the standard
clearances.

 The location of plants should not create visual and physical obstacle (even at maturity).

2.6.1.3 The Gray Components

Pavements

 Pavements within green open spaces should be made of permeable materials, preferably
cobblestones, in order to improve storm water management and groundwater recharge.
Only access roads and entrances may have impermeable surfaces.
 Pavements should be of long term service with the required comfort and convenience.

20
 Competent authorities shall ensure a clear, unobstructed path of travel of a minimum width
of 1.3 m on all pathways in green open spaces.

Fences and walls

 Living fences and walls should be preferred in all green open spaces.
 Fences and walls should be made of durable and as much as possible out of locally
available materials.
 Fences shall not contain pointed finials and sharp edges.

Facilities

 All play facilities like Playgrounds should be in safe condition at all times.
 Playgrounds should have at least 5 types of play equipment.
 Pavements on playgrounds should have protective surfacing.
 Playgrounds may include seating Area for parents around the play equipments

Tree pruning

Pruning improves public safety, tree health, and overall tree appearance. Trees should be
pruned away from structures, surfaces, lights, and utility lines as follows:

Buildings: all branches shall be pruned to allow approximately 1 m clearance from a building.

Street/Road – all branches shall be pruned to allow approximately 4 m clearance over the
centre of the street surface and 3 m clearance at the street surface edge.

Sidewalk / path – all branches shall be pruned to allow a minimum 2 m clearance over the
Pedestrian / through zone of a sidewalk or a path.

Lights – all branches shall be pruned to allow a minimum 15 cm clearance from any light.

Overhead electrical distribution / power lines – all branches shall be pruned to allow a
minimum 1.5 m clearance from any overhead electrical distribution / power line.

21
 2.6.2 Urban Green Infrastructure Elements Standards

2.6.2.1 Recreational Parks

Recreation parks are the main element in most urban green infrastructure networks or systems.
Competent authorities shall establish a hierarchy of parks: Neighborhood Park, Woreda Park,
Sub-city Park, and City Park.

2.6.2.1.1 Location, Capacity and Accessibility

 Parks should be located within the city so that every inhabitant can reach from his/her home
within a maximum distance of: 1,000 m to 1,500 m a Woreda park (or a bigger park); and
4,000 m a Sub-city park (or a bigger park).
 A Woreda Park should be around 3 ha, can serve up to 40,000 people in a radius of 1,000
to 1,500 m, with a carrying capacity of 0.075 ha/1,000 pop., shall be located on local or
collector streets, not arterial streets, and should be well accessible by public transport.
 A Sub-city Park should be around 8 ha (sub-city), can serve up to 160,000 people in a
radius of 4,000 m, with a carrying capacity of 0.05 ha/1,000 pop., may be located on arterial
streets ensuring safe and practical street crossings, and shall be well accessible by public
transport.
 All parks should have easy, comfortable, and safe pedestrian access. All parks should be
designed in a way that considers equal access for all people – people with and without
disabilities, people of all age groups, and people of all socio economic statuses.
 A minimum of 30 % of the total park Area shall be appropriately laid out for people with
disabilities, i.e. no steps and steep ramps shall restrict access.
 Competent authorities may choose to charge entrance fees to generate income for
maintenance and operation of parks. However they shall ensure that access for low income
groups is not denied.

2.6.2.1.2 Components and Facilities of Recreational Parks

The Green Components

Green coverage in all parks should be in a ratio of at least 75 % green components (i.e. trees,
grasses, other plants) and at most 25 % other components. Within a park, at least 50 % of trees
should be fruit trees to support food security. A diversity of plant species (ornamental trees, fruit

22
trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, grasses, and herbaceous plants) should be assured in order
to guarantee the biodiversity of parks.

Woreda Park: Shall be located on local or collector streets, not arterial streets.

Gray components and facilities

Shall have a playground for children in the age group 2-10 years; shall have small formal sport
facilities (e.g. half hard surface basketball court, table tennis); may have bigger formal sport
facilities (e.g. hard surface basketball court, volleyball court); shall have seating and tables, litter
bins, adequate lighting; should have on-street parking space; may have some off-street parking
space; May have public toilets.

Sub-city / City Park: May be located on arterial streets ensuring safe and practical street
crossings; and shall be well accessible by public transport.

Green components: - Shall have mostly open Areas, i.e. lawn, for passive recreational use and
informal active recreational use (e.g. informal ball games); shall have more than 40 trees per ha,
i.e. approx. 200 to 400 in a park of 5 to 10 ha, providing a good amount of natural shady Areas;
should have ornamental shrubs and flower beds; may include some natural and semi-natural
Areas.

Gray components and facilities:

Shall have a playground for children in the age group 2-10 years; should have additional
playground facilities like an adventure playground; shall have formal sport facilities (e.g. hard
surface basketball court, volleyball court, football field, table tennis) of which some should be
lighted for night use; shall have seating and tables; shall have litter bins; shall have adequate
lighting; shall have adequate number of toilets; shall have on-street as well as off-street parking
space; should have storage facilities and service buildings; should integrate some storm water
management practices; may have sculptures; should have food corners and small retail shops;
should have first aid services; should include some urban agriculture; should have composting
facilities; may have an internet café; may have a bank or ATM machine; may have a swimming
pool.

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2.7 Green Infrastructures in Addis Ababa

2.7.1 Availability and Accessibility of Green Spaces in Addis Ababa

Kumelachew (2015) categorized the green spaces in Addis Ababa into field crop, vegetable
farm, public recreational parks, riparian vegetation, plantation forest, institutional forest (mixed
forest), street plantation, and grassland. As cited in (Tekle, 2016),(ORAAMP, 2000) revealed
that In Addis Ababa the functional recreational parks cover 69 ha and street plantation is
estimated to cover 28 ha In recent years there have been additional development of recreational
parks in urban renewal sites of Addis Ababa, like at Lideta 4.3 ha, at Basha Wolde 1.17 ha, and
development of some of the proposed parks like ECA park found North of St. Estifanos church
5.2ha and at the Nations and Nationalities square, 30.5 ha bringing the per capita estimated
green space to 0.46 m2 when all of the proposed parks are completed and starts work (Tekle,
2016). As stated in (Tekle, 2016) the World Health Organization (WHO) standard is 9 m2 and
that of Africa is 7 m2, hence to meet the WHO standard, Addis Ababa needs additional 2430 ha
of publicly accessible green space. Seventeen proposed but not developed parks distributed in
eight sub cities occupy 271.5 hectares. According to AADPPO reports of 2017, one reasons for
low per capita green space in Addis Ababa (currently 0.3m2) is lack of implementing these
public parks as proposed by the outdating master plan of 2002.

Table 2.2 Area coverage of different green spaces in Addis Ababa

Source: Kumelachew, Y. (2015). Green area Typologies and mapping of green structures in Addis Ababa
ORAAMP (2000) estimated that functional recreational parks cover 69 ha and street plantation
is estimated to cover 28 ha as cited in (Tekle, 2016). Recreational parks has similar coverage in
study of (Kumelachew,2015) however there is no data about street tree plantations which shows
that there are challenges regarding implementations, management and development that would
be reveled in this study. The table above depicts that the cover of field crop, riverside, and
institutional forests decrease. Whereas plantation forests and recreational parks stay constant.

24
Existing Environmental Map of Addis Ababa in 2002

Figure: 2. 2 Existing Environmental map of Addis Ababa in 2002

Source: Office for the Revision of the Addis Ababa Master Plan 2017(illustration, 2017)

According to the figure above, from the total Area of Addis Ababa (54000 ha) 50.8% were
covered with non-built functions; out of them almost 40 % of it was covered with green. As
shown in the above map Inner Cities have no sufficient green spaces. The green spaces in
Inner Cities can be said null as compared with other sub cities. As it is shown in the picture only
0.3 % of recreational areas that were less significant share since the demand of using
recreational parks increase time to time (10th development plan of Addis Ababa reports of 2017).
The presence of the green areas was beyond the standard that is provided in 10th development
plan of Addis Ababa (30% of the land for roads and infrastructure, 30% for green Areas and
shared public use and 40% for building construction).which shows that there is a loss of green

25
areas from time to time as (Kahsay, 2016) indicated 4,501 ha (15.5%) of the evapotranspiring
surfaces present in 2006 were lost by 2011.

Proposed Environmental Map of Addis Ababa 2017

Figure2. 3 proposed Environmental map of Addis Ababa from 2017- 2027

Source: Office for the Revision of the Addis Ababa Master Plan 2017(illustration, 2017)

In this structural plan, 15600 ha (nearly 30 %) of land are proposed for the environmental quality
purpose. There will be 22 city level parks with the total Area of 1155.8 ha (2.1%) of land by
increasing 7 city level parks from 15 as discussed by (Gebeyehu, 2014). According to 10th
development plan of add Ababa, There will be 414 Woreda level parks in Addis Ababa with total
Area of 357 ha (0.66%).

26
 2.7.2 Recreational Parks of Addis Ababa

Parks are enclosed, designed and constructed green spaces covered with both trees and
shrubs (perennial) and herbs and grasses (annual) (Kumelachew, 2011). Parks in Addis Ababa
provide recreational and social (public gathering, wedding and birthday ceremony) services to
the public.

SAMSON (2014) Mentions, by the time of his publication there were 16 parks owned by the
government with a total Area of 122ha. Furthermore the city administration designates 342ha of
the city‟s surface Area for public recreational parks. Among the proposed 17 public parks in the
master plan, no one of them were realized in the given time period.

In Addis Ababa the functional recreational parks cover 69 ha (Tekle, 2016). At present there are
18 recreational parks in Addis Ababa, ranging in size from 0.6ha to 14.3 ha, providing
recreational and social service to the city's residents.

Kumlachew (2013) Indicates Addis Ababa faces enormous challenges in providing ecological
services to its residents. According to UN World Health Organization (WHO) 2012 standards,
there should be a per capita distribution of 7 square meters of green Areas and parks in Africa‟s
urban centers. What is available in Addis Ababa (0.3 square meter access to green Areas and
parks) is very low by international standards. For the city of Addis Ababa to reach the minimum
requirement, 2,700 hectares of accessible green areas and parks need to be developed (15th
Annual General Assembly Meeting of FSS Held, 2013).

Addis Ababa‟s just ended ten-year Master Plan (2002- 2012) envisaged the implementation of
13 ecological/ park development projects. Only one of these projects was implemented in the
last ten years. On the other hand, Areas which were designated by the Master Plan for greening
and urban agriculture were used for different purposes, including condominium housing.

Gebeyehu(2014) discussed when we talk about availability of green spaces; we should consider
the Area coverage and their per capita, biodiversity, location and accessibility of city parks and
other green Area components. There are 15 functional parks having an Area of 81.7 hectare,
which is less than the MUHDC, 2012 data (89 hectare). The total Area of existing forests and
city parks is 15.24% of the total Area of Addis Ababa (54,000 hectare). Of course this size will
increase if we add the other components of green Areas that are found in pocket Areas of the
city like road medians, residential and institutional gardens, buffer zones, churches, private
gardens, etc.

27
 Table: 2. 3 functional parks of Addis Ababa in 2014

Source: Gebeyehu, A. (2014). An Assessment of Green Area Development in Addis Ababa with
Particular reference to Gullelle Sub city.

Gebeyehu (2014) reveals as there were no park in Addis Ketema. Lideta Condominium Park
was underdevelopment but currently Lideta Condominium Park gives function. There are some
recreational areas that could be representative in terms of facilities provision, affordability and
social inclusivity especially elders like Bole Woreda 3 Zone 19 community development center.

Figure: 2. 4: bole woreda 3 zone 19 community development center

Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Enough parking spaces, 4 ground tennis playing areas (for children‟s and adults), different
games for elders like Dama, and other services that should be present in other recreational
parks of the subcities.

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 2.7.3 Street trees

Street trees are part of the overall green infrastructure component of cities; Street tree
plantation in Addis Ababa was based on aesthetic values (beautification) (Kumelachew, 2015).
However, the shade provision services of street trees are found to be more important as the
climate of cities gets increasing for keeping clean by sucking dusts and emissions from vehicles.
Street plantation on the pedestrian roads and medians of Addis Ababa are few. Those that have
been planted are not establishing and growing well because of improper site management and
follow up. Tree species selection for plantation is also a problem. In several places trees planted
along median create visual problem of vehicular movement thereby hindering smooth traffic
flow. Many pedestrian roads are not planted with shade providing tree. Therefore, all roads with
pedestrian walkway are not safe in harsh sun (Wuhan, 2013).

2.7.4 Cobblestone Roads in Addis Ababa

Cobblestone road construction project is the one that is being implemented in the urban Areas
of the country in order to increase the employment opportunities and to enhance environment
(Mulaw, 2015). Addis Ababa city is also the one that uses the Cobblestone project highly for the
purpose of street construction, parking Areas and different pavements.

According to AACRA 2007 report, from all roads of Addis Ababa 75 % of them is constructed
with in the past 25 years and 2025 km were constructed with Cobblestones with the total
production of 1,420,000,000 cobbles. The constructions of Cobblestone streets are done with
MSE which creates an opportunity for the employment.

According to AACRA 2007 report, 138,346,996 Cobblestones are produced with the sizes of
10*10*10, 15*15*17, and 10*20*40. It creates an oportunity for 3,846 stone crushers,24.977
cobble chiselers , and 2,340 cobble pavers.

Destruction of some of the Cobblestones from the road part, putting any dry waste materials on
the roads, destruction of curve stones from the edge of the roads, accumulation of water on the
body of some of the roads and the up-side-down of the roads because of large load vehicles are
some of the challenges of Addis Ababa Cobblestone streets (mulaw, 2015).

29
Table: 2. 4 Summary of Cobblestone development status in AA from 2002E.C to 2009 E.C

Activities No of Job opportunities Cobblestone road construction in KM

Cobble chiseling 188,734 With government = 276.4 km
Stone crushing 6,730 unknown
Cobble paving 3,854 With community participation=1,550 km
Total 199,318 persons 1,827.3 km
Source: Cobblestone project coordination office, February 2017
Computed by: the researcher

According to the reports of (Cobblestone Project Coordination Office,2006) Cobblestones are

really important for the job opportunities and increasing living standards of the community but it
should be properly constructed in order to bring high satisfaction of the people and sustainable
development. MoUDH(2015) recommends Cobblestone as it is more preferable permeable
materials for making pavements of different infrastructures. Example Pavements within green
open spaces should be made of permeable materials, preferably cobblestones, in order to
improve storm water management and groundwater recharge.

2.7.5 Challenges and Opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Addis Ababa

The Ethiopian constitution Article 44(the right to live in clean environment)and article
92(development should not damage environment),the 1997 forest policy, forest law
542/2007,the climate resilient green economy, and carbon trade are good opportunities to
developing and managing green infrastructures in Ethiopia and Addis Ababa.

The revised 2002 master plan was the main opportunity as it allocates 41% of Addis Ababa for
green infrastructure. But Addis Ababa has poor green infrastructure and hence it is faced with
enormous environmental, social, and economic problems associated with the poor development
and management of the green infrastructure. For example, the urban forest in Addis Ababa has
been transformed from once dense indigenous forest to eucalyptus plantations (Horst, 2006).
Meanwhile Addis Ababa is facing tremendous environmental and social problems associated
with lack of appropriate green infrastructure development and management.

Dubbale et al .(2010) reveals that people dispose waste along roads, rivers, open spaces, and
other sites, the regulation is continuously violated by the people due to lack of alternative means
for disposal; even though the hygiene and environmental sanitation regulation issued by the
Addis Ababa city administration (Pro. No.1, 1994) prohibits.

30
CHAPTER 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREAS AND RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY

3.1 Description of the Study Areas

The study areas are located in two inner sub cities of Addis Ababa which are LIDETA sub city
and Kirkos Sub City spatially they are referenced with the main east west axis of Addis Ababa.

Lideta and Kirkos sub cities are located at the inner part of Addis Ababa city with an area of
9.18 km2 and 14.62 km2 respectively (wikipedia.org, May 2017 at 9 am). According to CSA
Projected Population of Addis Ababa, 2004 E.C, they have total population of 224,471 and
246,194 respectively. These two sub cities shared large common boundary at the west and
north western part of Kirkos sub City for Lideta sub city. National Theatre to Mexico Roundabout
and Mexico roundabout to Africa union round about is the boundary of the two Sub cities.

Figure: 3. 5: location of the study Areas

Source: Addis Ababa Urban Planning Institute, 2017

31
In order to assess the situation deeply the researcher takes one case from each selected sub
cities. Initially two sub cities are selected by site selection criteria and then different thematic
cases are selected in the selected sub cities.

Figure: 3. 6: Location of thematic cases

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

To assess the challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures particularly

recreational parks in Inner Sub Cities of Addis Ababa; one park is studied from each selected
Sub City. Tekele Hymanot Park in Lideta Sub City and Africa Park from Kirkos Sub City are
studied. For the assessment of physical environmental challenges of Street sides and medians
trees; one street is selected from each Sub City. The street from National bank area to
Amistegna Police Station and Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria Roundabout are studied from Lideta
Sub City and from Gofa mazoriya to Kirkos Church is studied from Kirkos Sub City. Like this
Cobblestone roads are selected from each selected sub cities for assessment of the challenges
and opportunities of permeable pavements particularly Cobblestone roads in Inner Sub Cities of

32
Addis Ababa. Deafricqe Area in Lideta Sub City (Woreda 8) and Woreda 6(Genet hotel Area) up
to Keker building in Kirkos Sub City are studied.

3.2 General Research Methodology

The Research is based on qualitative and quantitative Approaches of research with case study
methodology and it is both a descriptive and exploratory research type, because descriptive
research is more appropriate to describe some aspects of phenomenon and therefore help to
understand a topic and lead to causal analysis. Exploratory research is more appropriate to
explore existing situations. The case study places more emphasis on the full analysis of a
limited number of cases. It is holistic and a more comprehensive explanation of a phenomenon.

3.3 Research design Identification of problem

Research objectives

Literature Review Research methodology

Contextual review

Data collection Secondary

Primary

Data Analysis

Conclusion

Recommendations

33
 3.4 Case study selection criteria

Urban green infrastructures are under extreme pressures due to many factors in all Inner Sub
Cities of Addis Ababa including ADDIS KETEMA, LIDETA, KIRKOS, and ARADA Sub Cities.
These sub cities are characterized by high pollution, overcrowded settlements, and high
commercial activities. Among these Inner Sub Cities, LIDETA, and KIRKOS Sub Cities are
selected based on the following criteria.

 The green infrastructures availability especially more recreational parks.

 Availability of different proposed renewal designs which are not implemented. Therefore
there are chances to develop other options which include the UGI.
 Main city center of Addis Ababa, National Theater Area, is located at the boundary of
LIDETA and KIRKOS Sub City. Since it is an important and strategic location for the social &
economic activities of the city mainly through its direct physical linkages to the rest of the
city. The area also offers diverse use, which include residential, offices leisure sport,
commercial activities, schools, hospitals, and religious establishment and sport facilities.

3. 5 Types and Sources of Data

In this study, both primary and secondary data are utilized. For assessing the challenges of
urban green infrastructures the researcher has used both primary and secondary data. Primary
data are collected from Questioners, interview and field observation of the study Areas.
Secondary data were collected by reviewing documents. The sources of primary data were
Addis Ababa urban planning institute, Addis Ababa city environmental protection agency,
LIDETA and KIRKOS Sub City municipal office, Addis Ababa city road authority, Addis Ababa
water and sewerage authority, Addis Ababa and LIDETA Sub City SBPDA and KIRKOS Sub
City sanitation, beautification, and park development Agency . On the other hand for the
assessment of opportunities of urban green infrastructures primary data are collected from
interview of professionals from the above organizations.

3.6 Data collection methods

For gathering primary data the researcher has employed questionnaires, interviews and field
observations, and Discussing and consulting with professionals, and reading books and
literature Review for secondary data.

34
Questionnaire: Majorly close ended Questionnaire method was used in this study because it
was important to collect data about the challenges of urban green infrastructures from the
residents specifically for recreational parks and Cobblestone roads.

Interview: In this study, the researcher has used majorly semi structured close ended interview
because it helps to extract depth information about the challenges and opportunities; and the
researcher and participant/s / set some broad parameters to a discussion.

Observation: It has been used to identify the challenges of urban green infrastructures
particularly recreational parks and Cobblestone pavements in the study Area.

3.7 Data Analysis methods

Since the study has been both qualitative and quantitative: description, classification, and data
analysis started before having a full set of data for qualitative data. This helped to make sense
of the data was being gathered and also guide further data generation. Different soft wares such
as SPSS (statistical package for social science), Arc GIS (geographic information system), and
Excel were used as tools to analyze the data in the form of percentages, graphical, charts and
tabular analysis. Cross checking of different materials has been made to ensure the accuracy
and relevance of secondary source. Triangulation is a technique used for cross checking of the
result of the analysis so that the researcher comparatively analyzed the questionnaire results
,observation results, interview results, and documents data in order to arrive at conclusion.

3.8 Sampling Method

One Sub City level recreational park, one Arterial Street, and one collector Cobblestone Road
were selected from each selected sub cities by purposive sampling technique.

For data collection from residents Nonprobability convenient sampling and probability Stratified
random sampling were used as follows:

Nonprobability convenient sampling was employed for collecting data about challenges of
recreational parks through questionnaires from users. First the anticipated numbers of users in
park with a week have been taken from the cashier then conveniently samples were taken. In
the case of Tekele Haymanot Park around 700 users enter per week. 70%(500) of the users
enter in the park for the purpose of meeting in the form of Idir, Ikub ,etc; the rest 200 users
come for recreation; so that conveniently 20 % (40) of the users were taken. Africa Park around

35
200 users come per week, so that conveniently 20 % (40) of users were taken. For this case
questionnaires were distributed for 5 days in working hours of the recreational parks especially
by weekend in each selected park. In addition interview were employed from each organization
which is Addis Ababa city road authority, AACGSBPDA (Addis Ababa city government
sanitation, beautification, and park development agency), AAEPA (Addis Ababa environmental
protection agency), AAUPI (Addis Ababa urban planning institute), and LIDETA and KIRKOS
Sub City SBPDA(sanitation, beautification, and park development Agency).

Conveniently officials were selected from each institution; Addis Ababa city road authority, Addis
Ababa environmental protection agency, Addis Ababa city government sanitation, beautification,
and park development agency, LIDETA and KIRKOS Sub City sanitation, beautification, and
park development Agency, Addis Ababa water and sewerage authority and Addis Ababa urban
planning institute for collection of data about physic- environmental challenges of Street sides
and medians trees.

stratified random sampling technique were used for collection of data about permeable
pavements particularly Cobblestone Roads, First the households near or with in the planning
distance were clustered in three categories which are 5m, 10m, 15m from the Cobblestone
roads then respondents are randomly selected and totally 150 samples are taken. Beside this
interview are employed for Addis Ababa city road authority, Addis Ababa environmental
protection agency, Addis Ababa city government sanitation, beautification, and park
development agency, LIDETA and KIRKOS Sub City sanitation, beautification, and park
development Agency, Addis Ababa water and sewerage authority and Addis Ababa urban
planning institute.

To get data about opportunities of urban green infrastructures in inner Sub Cities of Addis
Ababa different documents were studied and one interview was held for each organization from
Addis Ababa city road authority, Addis Ababa city government sanitation, beautification, and
park development agency, LIDETA and KIRKOS Sub City sanitation, beautification, and park
development Agency, Addis Ababa environmental protection agency ,Addis Ababa water and
sewerage authority and Addis Ababa urban planning institute.

36
 Table: 3. 5: Summary of data collection and analysis methods

N PURPOSE DATA USED DATA DATA SOURCE METHODS DATA

O COLLECTION OF DATA INTERPRETATIO
METHODS ANALYSIS N AND
PRESENTATION
METHODS
1 To show Nortech map, Documents Lideta and Kirkos Mapping, GIS,
Noretech
spatial distribution, existing land use sub-city municipality referencing, AUTOCAD
and connectivity of map, different office, narration
urban green proclamations AAEPA,AASPDA
infrastructures and standards

2 To assess the Existing land use Observation Lideta and Kirkos Description GIS
challenges of Images Questionnaire sub-city municipality Mapping SPSS
recreational parks Results from Interview office tabulating EXEL
questionnaires‟, referencing
and interview Residents triangulating
Recreational AAEPA,AASPDA,
parks Standard AAWSA
3 Physical- Results from Observation Residents, Description
environmental interview Interview AACRA,AAEPA,AAS Triangulating
challenges of Images PDA, AAWSA
Street sides and
medians trees
4 To assess the Results from Observation Residents Description SPSS
challenges of questionnaires‟, Questionnaire LIDETA and KIRKOS narration EXEL
permeable and interview Interview Sub City Cobblestone tabulating
pavements Images project office, referencing
particularly AACRA, AAEPA, triangulating
Cobblestone AAWSA
5 To Identify Different Reading Internet Narration
opportunities of documents Interview AACRA, Referencing
urban green Results of AACGSBPDA,
infrastructures interview from LIDETA and KIRKOS
officials Sub City SBPDA,
AAEPA ,AAWSA and
AAUPI

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CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCCUSION

This is the main part of the research to answer research questions and objectives which are
mentioned in the first chapter in line with challenges and opportunities of Urban Green
infrastructures particularly recreational parks, Street sides and medians trees, and Cobblestone
roads in Lideta and Kirkos sub cities of Addis Ababa.

4.1 Respondents’ Information in the Study areas

The occupation of users has direct and indirect implications for the challenges and opportunities
of urban green infrastructures particularly to recreational parks in terms of facilities that should
be provided and enhanced. Example students need calm area (space) for reading. It is shown in
the table 4.6 in Tekle Hyamont Park 57.5 % is government, 35 % private and 7.5% of them are
students. Similarly in Africa Park 67.5 % is private, 30% are government, and the rest 2.5 % are
students. However 95 % of the respondents (35 out of 40) in Africa Park come with their
children. The variety services given by the park and occurrence of different occupation of park
users have direct relationship.

Table: 4. 6: Respondents’ information in the Study Areas

Africa park Frequency Percentage Tekele haymanot park Frequency Percentage

Government 23 57.5 Government 12 30.0

private 14 35.0 private 27 67.5
student 3 7.5 student 1 2.5
Total 40 100.0 Total 40 100.0
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017
Age structures of the Respondents have many implications and interpretation for recreational
parks. For example Children need more play grounds than adults and elders. On the other hand
adults need sport fields however they use the space for illegal activities rather than the intended
value of the park.
Table: 4. 7: Age of Respondents in the park

Africa Frequency Percent Tekele haymanot park Frequency Percentage

park
<18 4 10.0 <18 2 5.0
18- 30 13 32.5 18- 30 17 42.5
30-40 15 37.5 30-40 10 25.0
>40 8 20.0 >40 11 27.5
Total 40 100.0 Total 40 100.0
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

38
As we can see in table 4.7, 57.5 % of respondents in Africa park are above 30 years old ,32.5
% are in between 18-30 but as described in above paragraph, park manager of Africa park
asserts that nearly 95 % of them come with their under 10 children. On the other hand in Tekele
Hymanot Park 42.5% of respondents are old, 42.5 % are in between 18-30 years old and 5 % of
them are below 18 years old. All Respondents in Tekle Hymanot Park come to the park to
recreate themselves and about 95 % of them are above 18 on the other hand nearly 95 % of the
park users are in Africa Park are children.

4.2 Urban Green Infrastructures in the Study areas

As discussed by Anna (2016) and Asmelash (2013) Urban green infrastructures are open Areas
such as urban forests, large public parks, gardens, playing fields, rights-of-way along streams
and roads, and constructed features such as green roofs, permeable vegetated surfaces,
swales, rain gardens, and “green streets” In the same way; Ethiopian green infrastructure
manual (2015) categorized UGI into 17 types. However Cobblestones are not categorized
under urban green infrastructures, but they are important for infiltration and cleaning of wastes
so that it is environmentally friendly and permeable surfaces thus they can be categorized as
urban green infrastructures since many scholars including Benedict & McMahon (2002) included
preamble pavements under UGI. In addition to this Cobblestone decreases the pollutants that
are generated from vehicles for excavating, dumping, rolling, etc so that the researcher
concluded that it is pollutant free which is one of the reasons to be urban green infrastructure.

In Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities, there are different types of urban green infrastructures such as
recreational parks, street medians and side greens, Cobblestone pavements, urban agriculture,
cemeteries like in Kirkos church, and church‟s green areas like Kirkos and Lideta churches,
Roundabouts, street islands, rivers and rivers sides are found but they are not enough as it is
compared with the standard and as the study areas are featured with high population density
and dense settlements. Each of the above urban green infrastructures has their own challenges
and problems in Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities.

As cited in Tsige (2015) Rouse and Bunster (2013) put six principles should be fulfilled in the
planning and design of green infrastructures .Thus include multi functionality, connectivity,
habitability, resilience, identity and return on investment . However the study tried to assess only
connectivity and Distribution of urban green spaces; as shown in the figure 4.8 and 4.9, green

39
spaces have no connectivity; sub city recreational parks are located at one side of the sub cities
which decreases the accessibility of the park shown in figure 4.10.

According to the standard of Addis Ababa development plan project office (2017); 30% of the
city should be planned for urban green spaces however the green space coverage for the two
sub cities is about 13 % which is still below the standard (considering the study areas as city)
due to the increase in impervious surfaces. This resulted less evapotranspiration and finally
causes urban heat island, pollution, climate change and other environmental issues.

Inner cities of developing countries urban green infrastructures do not give the intended purpose
and do not fulfil the need of people (CLUVA, 2013). A multi-functionality assessment of urban
green infrastructures, using the urban morphology types (UMTs) as its basis, was held to start
assessment of the provision and need of different ecosystem services in Addis Ababa and dar
es salaam. Lideta and Kirkos sub cities are being in inner part of the city the provision of the
urban green infrastructures were low and high need of different ecosystem services in 2011 as
shown in the figure 4.7 below.

Figure: 4. 7 ecosystem services provision and need assessment respectively in Addis Ababa 2011
Source: CLUVA, 2013

40
Availability, Distribution, and Connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities in 2002 and in 2012

Figure: 4. 9: Availability, distribution, and connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in Lideta and kirkos Sub Cities in 2002 Figure: 4. 8 : Availability, distribution, and connectivity of Urban Green Infrastructures in Lideta and kirkos Sub Cities in 2012
Source: AAUPI, 2017 Source: AASPPO existing survey, 2012

As shown in the figure 4.9 above, in 2002 the urban green infrastructure coverage in Lideta and Kirkos sub cities
were 8.6 % of the total area and 9.6 % in 2012 as shown in figure 4.8. Connectivity is one of the principles that
must fulfilled in the planning and design of green infrastructures .how ever green spaces are fragmented in Lideta
and Kirkos sub cities as shown in the figure 4.8 and 4.9. Distribution is also another principle that must be fulfilled
which basically focuses on the scattering of urban green spaces at different places sufficiently and equally, but they
are fragmented and concentrated arbitrary.

41
According to the officials from the development plan project office and AASBPDA there are no
significant development of green spaces that have significant changes. Figure 4.9 implies the
availability of urban green infrastructures in inner sub cities are still low. MoUDHC manual ,2014
classify green infrastructures into 17 types, but according to the analysis made in this study the
following urban green infrastructures available in the study areas shown with their percentages
with comparing the plan of 2002 and development plan of 2017.In 2002, green space coverage
was (1.5 %), open spaces (3.86%), recreational areas (2 %), and rivers buffers(1.5
%).according to development plan of 2017 urban green infrastructures that are proposed and
AASBPDA 2008 report in the study areas are as follows
Table: 4. 8 urban green infrastructures in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities
UGI type NO Area %age REMARK
City level park 7 117.7 ha 4.9 % Including Proposed
street sides and Medians 70 8 ha 0.34 % existing
Roundabouts 16 5.4 ha 0.23% existing
Street islands 8 0.4 ha 0.02% existing
City level stadium 1 8.16 ha 0.34% existing
River buffer 37 106ha 4.45% Including proposed
Sub city level park 8 20ha 0.84 % >>
Sub city level stadium 1 3.9ha 0.16% >>
Urban agriculture 3 1.2 ha 0.05% >>
Woreda level play ground 12 8.2 ha 0.34% >>
Woreda level park 38 29.9 ha 1.25% >>`
Total 309.26 ha 12.92%
Source: AADPPO, 2017(written in black) and AASBPDA 2008(written in red) report

Without incorporating others, 12.92 % of the study areas are covered with the urban green
infrastructures shown in table 4.8 above which shows the increment of green spaces coverage
in the study areas. Especially the coverage of recreational parks reached 7.83 % which has
shown 5.83 % increment.

Accodrding to the Urban Upgrading and Renewal Manual(2006) of Addis ababa neghibourhood
open spaces and children playing areas must be provided how ever based on the 75%
respondents of africa and tekel hyamanot park, they lack such faclitites at their negibourhood.

42
 Distribution of Proposed Urban Green Infrastructures in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities in Development plan of 2017

Figure: 4. 10: Distribution of Parks in Kirkos

and Lideta sub cities
Source: Office for the Revision of the Addis
Ababa Master Plan
Computed by: The researcher, 2017

43
 4.2.1 Recreational parks in Lideta and Kirkos sub cities

4.2.1.1 Lideta Sub City

MoUDH(2015) standard states that Sub-city / City Park Shall have mostly open Areas, i.e. lawn,
for passive recreational use and informal active recreational use (e.g. informal ball games); shall
have more than 40 trees per ha, i.e. approx. 200 to 400 in a park of 5 to 10 ha, providing a good
amount of natural shady Areas; should have ornamental shrubs and flower beds; hall have a
playground for children in the age group 2-10 years; should have additional playground facilities
like an adventure playground; shall have formal sport facilities ;shall have adequate lighting;
shall have adequate number of toilets; shall have on-street as well as off-street parking space;
should have storage facilities and service buildings; may have sculptures; should have food
corners and small retail shops; should have first aid services; should include some urban
agriculture; should have composting facilities; may have an internet café; may have a bank or
ATM machine; may have a swimming pool.

Tekele Haymanot Park: the area of the park is 3632m2; In this park there is one cafeteria that
serves the users food and non-alcoholic drinks without entrance fee and administered by one
private shared company with 5 years extended agreement from now. Initially it was hired with
118,124 birr per month from 14/08/04 E.C to 14/08/04 E.C by the same company. However,
based on the observation and the interviews from the officials and guardians in the park, there
are alcoholic drinks and forbidden activities in the park.

Figure: 4. 11 : partial view of Tekle Haymanot Park

Source: field observation photo taken by the researcher march, 2017
The park lacks the above mentioned facilities at Sub City level; about (50%) satisfied with green
components of the park since they are in good conditions (not dried, not damaged and etc), but
there are challenges and problems observed in the park and park users complain about. The
park has no enough shelter, no enough toilets (only1) and lacks hygiene, no enough shower

44
rooms (completely closed), scarcity of water, most of the benches are broken, the fences are
weak, smell exist from dumping wastes in the area and etc. construction of huge store house
that does not balance with the area of the park consumes the green area.

Figure 4.10 depicts that ornamental plant species are dominated and kept well. Referencing
official‟s in the park, most of the time the park spaces are used in groups ranging from 20-30
people.

Gola Park: According to SBPDA the park has an area of 9625 m2 and it needs 16 employs but
currently it has 22 employs who work both in Lideta Park and Tekele Haymanot Park.

Figure: 4. 12 partial view of Gola Park

Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Green components of the park are good but islands and fences for islands are damaged, they
need to be repaired. There is national selection committee board office inside the park. The
cafeteria in the park is outsourced to private firms like Diasporas from Saudi. A residential
building that was initially owned by Armenian exists in the park which leads to conflict in the
rights of the property with the SBPDA and the land holders.

Lideta Park: This Park has an area of 12192m2, is developed recently, and does not start work
officially now. This park was given to private developer with bid at the cost of 65,000 birr and it
had 70 workers but now it is on the way of procurement to develop and manage the park

Figure: 4. 13: partial view of Lideta Park

Source: field observation photo taken by the researcher march, 2017

45
Figure 4.12 paints as there is open spaces that are not planted which indicates that different
trees and shrubs should be planted soon. Beyond this the species type planted are not
diversified. The fences used are iron bars and black color which are against the proclamations
of (MoUDHC, 2015) that states construction materials of fences should be local and the color of
the fences should be harmonized with the surrounding building color.

Ethio Cuba Park: This Park has an area of 29803m2 and located next to black lion hospital.
According to the reports of (AASBPDA, 2008) and officials interview from SBPDA reports the
park need 23 people but it was 17 workers and the problem still goes on. The construction of
the park is given to ETITE Construction Company, currently the work is completed and starts
work without entrance fee.

Figure: 4. 14 view of Ethio Cuba Park

Source: Google earth 2017 and (Addis Ababa main city center urban design guideline, 2015)

Based on Addis Ababa main city center urban design guideline(2015) it is intended to
accommodate passive and active recreational activated ranging from reading & therapeutic
activities for patients from the immediate Black Lion Hospital to children play such as skating
area and occasional live performances.

4.2.1.2 Kirkos Sub city

Africa Park: In Kirkos sub city, there are 2 parks that are already developed but they are not
administrated by the sub city sanitation, beautification cemetery, and park development agency.
According to the officials interview from AASBPDA and workers interview in the park; The Park
has designed and developed with 3 parts with the name of Addis Ababa Park, Ethiopia Park,
and Africa Union Park with total area of 45707m2. It is administered by MEDROC Ethiopia, with
an entrance fee of 20 birr for children under 12 years; 30 birr for adults above 12 years and 60
birr for camera use.

46
 Figure: 4. 15 partial view of Africa Park
Source: field observation photo taken by the researcher, March 2017

Based on researcher‟s observation and interview of the park manager, The Park has developed
in good standard and quality materials relatively to other parks in Addis Ababa in children
playing equipment‟s especially in outdoor games; but it lacks parking area. Currently only Africa
Park gives services but Addis Ababa Park and Ethiopia Park are closed due to security reasons.

Olympia Park: It has an area of 647m2, is developed in good way, and starts work recently.
Half of the park is developed by private developer and has good quality of green but it lacks
benches.

ECA Park : General Manager of AASBPDA (W/O Almaz) has discussed that the area of the
park is 167,900 m2 and it contains many facilities that could make the park better than the rest
of parks in terms of quality, inclusivity, accessibility, and etc. however there facilities that cannot
be feasible to the users for example the climbing mountains and the caves constructed are not
big enough. The construction of the park is not completed yet it is because of some
improvements.

4.2.2 Availability and Distribution of Street sides and medians trees

According to AASBPDA reports of 2016 reports shown in annex II Table 9, there are 21 street
sides with total area of 21425m2 in kirkos sub city and 7 with total area of 8400m2 in Lideta sub
city. Most of them are developed by the government and the rests are developed by private
developers.

Figure: 4. 16: sample pictures on streets from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos church and National area to Amestigna
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017 47
 Gofa mazoriya to Kirkos church and Bulgaria to Africa union along Michael church are studied
from Kirkos and National Bank Area to Amistegna police station from Lideta sub city.as
described in AASBPDA reports of 2008 E.C; there are 22(13600m2) street medians in Kirkos
and 8 (7420 m2) in Lideta with the total area of 21020 m2.around 55 % of street medians are
developed by the government, 30 % of it was undeveloped.

4.2.3 Availability of Cobblestone Roads in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities

According to Lideta community development and participation office reports of 2009 the
Cobblestone coverage in the sub city starting from initial work up to now is 22,221 km. on the
other hand according to Kirkos community development and participation office reports of 2009
26,268 km of the streets in the sub city are covered by Cobblestone. On the other hand
according to AACRA 2017 reports there are 20,740 km and 29,666 KM Cobblestone roads
coverage in Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities respectively.
Earth 804.00
Earth 6582.00
252638.70 Care 130277.61
Care
Gravel 85764.00
Gravel 32157.00
Cobble 209425.50
Cobble 131399.30
Asphalt Asphalt 192094.70
A 158883.00 B
2
Figure: 4. 17 A and B: Area coverage of road surface types in KM in Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities
respectively
Source: AACRA, 2017

4.3 Challenges of Recreational Parks in the Study areas

Generally, as stated by Sara et al. (2015), urban green infrastructures have challenges like lack
of collaboration and communication; lack of knowledge regarding green spaces and qualities;
and the inefficient use of Environmental impact assessment tools. Specifically parks have
challenges of inadequate investment in landscaping, playscapes, ball fields, walking and biking
trails, recreation centers, and other community facilities in large cities (Association,
2011).However for the purpose of this study the challenges of recreational parks have been
categorized as social, economic, Environmental, physical ,capacity building, etc which are
discussed as follow. Thus the following discussions were made with respect to these categories
for the study areas.

48
4.3.1 Social challenges

Parks can foster appreciation of different cultures and lifestyles (Gobster, 1998). However as
stated in (Hutchinson, 1987,Loukaitou-Sideris, 1995) different ethnic groups want to use park
space in different ways. It has been recorded as a challenge for park developers and park users
to bring socially Inclusive Park. On the other hand Limited and inadequate public spaces and
recreation facilities and Service delivery problems are mentioned as the social challenges of
recreational parks (Johannesburg Development Agency, 2001). Besides these other social
challenges are revealed in this study particularly in Africa Park and Tekele Hymanot Park.

4.3.1.1 Unfair distribution and inaccessibility of recreational parks

The major social factor in the provision of recreational parks is to ensure their availability and
accessibility with in predefined catchment. However, one of the social challenges that are
revealed in this study is unfair distribution and lack of accessibility of recreational parks.
60% 52.50%
47.50%
40% Africa Park
20% 22.50% 17.50%
20% 15% 15% Tekle Hymanot Park
10%

0%
1000 2000-3000m 3000-4000m >4000m
Figure: 4. 18: Park users response in Africa and Tekle Hymanot Park about Distance from near park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

According to MoUDH (2015), Accessibility standard should override the quantity standard and
Public green open spaces shall be evenly distributed within the city to keep the distances
people have to travel to a green open space low. 85 % of park users in Tekele Hymanot go
greater than 2000m to get park.90 % of the park users in Africa park said that they go more than
2000 m to get park and 52.5 % of them go more than 4000m as shown in the figure 4.17. Parks
should be located within maximum distance of: 1,000 m to 1,500 m a Woreda park (or a bigger
park); and 4,000 m a Sub-city park (or a bigger park) so that every can reach from his/her
home.

As shown in the figure 4.19, about 65 % of the respondents said that, it took them 20 minutes
and more to reach the nearest Sub City or Woreda Park. Even if people should get parks not
more than 15 minutes walking distance.

49
Time taken to reach near park at Respondents local area
100% 62.5% Respondents in africa park
67.5%
20% 15% 17.5% 17.5%
0% Respondents in Tekele
15 min 15- 20 min >20 min hymanot park
Figure: 4. 19 Park users Response in Africa and Tekle Hymanot Park about Time taken to reach near park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

17.5 % of respondents indicated that they need to travel 15 minutes to reach the nearest park to
relax or spend their leisure time. However the significant number (81.5 %) of respondents
replied that they shall travel more than 15 minutes to access the nearest park. These
respondents attested that they are not in a good position to find parks near their area of
residence. The study testified that the distributions of recreational parks in Addis Ababa do not
consider the population and accessibility. The level of satisfaction of the respondents due to
mere distribution of recreational parks is shown in figure 4.19.

Satisfaction of Respondents in distribution of sub city parks

60.0% 47.5% Africa park
40.0% 30.0%
Tekymanot park
20.0% 40.0% 12.5%
22.5% 22.5% 5.0% 5.0%
15.0% 0.0%
0.0%
unsatisfied moderately satisfied Very satisfied Extremely
satisfied satisfied
Figure: 4. 20 level of Satisfaction of Park users in the distribution of sub city parks
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Figure 4.20 above depicts that about 78 % of the respondents drawn from Africa Park and 63 %
from Tekele Hymanot park testified that they are not satisfied with the distribution of sub city
parks .Only about 30 % of them replied that they are satisfied with the distribution of sub city
parks which indicates that there is problem of planning in the supply and demand of the park in
inner sub cities of Addis Ababa as it is also discussed by the W/ro Almaz Mekonnen AASBPDA
manager.

Satisfaction of sub cities park accessibility

50.00% 47.50% 40%
25% 22.50% 15% 22.50% 15%
10% 2.50% 0 Africa park
0.00% Tekymanot park
unsatisfied moderately satisfied satisfied Very satisfiedExtremely satisfied
Figure: 4.21 Satisfaction sub city park accessibility
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

50
The study tried to reveal the satisfaction level of sub cities park accessibility in terms of park
location, number in the sub city, facilities provided, etc. about 70% of respondents testified that
they are not satisfied with accessibility of them. Based on the officials‟ interview from Sub cities
municipality, Addis Ababa urban planning Institute, Addis and Addis Ababa sanitation
beautification and park development agency supply and demand of the parks are not equal.
80% of interviewed officials recommended that inner cities recreational parks should be given
more privileges in size and in number than outer because there is high mobility and urban heat
island effects in inner parts of the city.

4.3.1.2 Low services delivery and satisfaction of users

Cecil et al. (2013) point out that Parks are designed and developed to give maximum
satisfaction of residents by giving recreational ecosystem services either directly (for example by
making us more physically active) or indirectly (by their high biodiversity enhancing
opportunities for nature experience and recreation). However, Respondents attest those parks
that are found in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa are not giving the right services efficiently and
effectively. Due to this, most of the park users are not satisfied by the services provided which
implies parks in inner sub cities are inaccessible in terms of facilities provided.

40.0% 35.0% 32.5%

25.0%
17.5% 30.0% 15.0% 17.5%
20.0% 20.0% 7.5%
0.0% Africa park
0.0% Tekymanot park
unsatisfied moderately satisfied Very satisfied Extremely
satisfied satisfied

Figure: 4. 22 : Total satisfaction of Park users about the sub city parks
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Based on the data drawn 56.5 % of park users in Africa Park and 67.5 % in Tekle Hymanot
Park are not satisfied in the quality of the park and the services they get. The qualities that are
mentioned as parameters by the respondents are number of facilities provided, comfort of
facilities, calmness of the area, presence of water features availability of green spaces and
trees. 100.0% 47.5% 52.5%
50.0% 15.0% 20.0% 17.5% 22.5% 12.5% Africa park
10.0% 2.5%0.0%
0.0%
Tekymanot park
unsatisfied moderately satisfied Very satisfied Extremely
satisfied satisfied

Figure: 4. 23: Satisfaction of respondents in quality of the parks

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

51
 4.3.1.3 Non inclusive recreational parks for elderly and children

McGee (2017) define "Inclusive recreation" is the integration of all people, regardless of age and
regardless of functional ability, in leisure and recreational activities that are developed for the
general community population. Involvement in meaningful recreation and leisure activities is
essential for every individual‟s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. According to
MoUDH (2015) all parks should be designed in a way that considers equal access for all people
– people with and without disabilities, people of all age groups, and people of all socio economic
statuses. However, based on the observation of functions and data drawn from respondents in
Africa and Tekele Hymanot park; Recreational parks especially the sub city parks in Inner Sub
Cities of Addis Ababa do not consider All age categories such as children, teenage, adults and
elders, So all must be incorporated. Based on the results drawn from observation of the
researcher, interviews of the officials and park users Respondents, there is no recreational park
that could satisfy all ages at the same place in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa.
100.0% 93.5%
42.5% Africa park
50.0% 25% 27.5%
5% 1% 1% 4.5% Tekel Hymanot
0.0%
<18 18- 30 30- 40 >40
Figure: 4. 24: Park users’ age in Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

The data drawn from respondents and officials indicate nearly all of park users in Africa Park
are children‟s and on the other hand nearly the entire park users in Tekele Hymanot Park are
adults this is because of the fact that they are directly related with the facilities provided.

A B C
Figure: 4. 25 Park users in Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park
Source: photo taken by the researcher, 2017
Figure 4.25 „A‟ and „B‟ are in Africa park paint facilities that are planned for children and show
dominance of children whereas picture 4.25 „C‟ shows facilities that encourage adults and
elders.

52
Lack of facilities for elder people

In Africa Park 4.5 % Adult park users only come and entertain. Based on the data drawn from
officials of the park and park users in addition to the inaccessibility of the park, they testified that
facilities provided are not for elders. It was designed for children‟s only, no games for Elders. On
the other hand in Tekele Hymnot Park 42.5% of Park users are adults, 52.5 % are elders and 5
% of them are below 18 years old. This is due to the absence of enough and functional facilities
that encourage children to use the park.

Figure: 4. 26 Absence of facilities for elders in Africa Park

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Inadequate and less comfortable children play ground

The possible constitutes of recreational parks and functions expected to be found are declared
by (MoUDH, 2015) which includes Playgrounds should have at least 5 types of play equipment,
shall have adequate space around the equipment‟s, Pavements on playgrounds should have
protective surfacing; may include seating area for parents around the play equipment‟s.

Based on the researcher observation and more than 60 % respondents attested that there is no
enough children play grounds in the Lideta and kirkos sub cities. Both of the parks lack
adequate and effective children play grounds.
200
Tekele hymanot park
Africa park
100 100
0
52.5
0
comfortable not comfortable
Figure: 4.27: Park users satisfaction in children’s playground Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

53
All of park user respondents are not satisfied with the children‟s playground in Tekele Hymanot
Park. In the same way 52.5 % of park users in Africa Park are not comfortable with the children
play grounds exist even if it is has good facilities of children play grounds relatively with Tekele
Hymanot Park.

4.3.1.4 Crime

According to LeVario (2011), crime is one of the challenges that urban parks face and some of
the crimes that are happened regularly in parks are Murder, Arson, Rape, Theft, Assault,
Robbery, Vehicle, and Burglary.

Similarly, Based on the interview made to the guardians and officials‟, crimes are happened and
become challenges for inner sub cities Parks of Addis Ababa. Such as Theft, Murder, Assault,
and Robbery are some crime challenges to recreational parks in inner sub cites of Addis Ababa
especially in Tekele Hymanot Park. From the interview results of the officials, in Africa and
Tekel Hymanot Park, the researcher reveals that there are no implementing programs which
provide more specific public information regarding crime records for park locations, safety
measures, and perceptions regarding the inner sub cities park.

4.3.1.5 Occurrence of forbidden activities in the park

Results drawn from respondents of Africa and Tekele Hyamanot Park indicated that 10% and
60 % of respondents respectively give evidence that forbidden activities like smoking and
chewing chat are the challenges for the park users since users do not fill comfortable. In line
with this officials reveals smoking, chewing chat, and fecing in restricted spaces of the park are
some of the forbidden activities occurred in the park.

Table: 4. 10 : Park users Response on forbidden activities in the park

Africa park
Frequency Percent Tekele Hymanot park Frequency Percent
Yes 4 10.0 Yes
24 60.0
No 36 90.0 No
16 40.0
Total 40 100.0 Total
40 100.0

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Table 4.10 depicts that 60% of the respondents in Tekele Hymanot Park attested that as they
have observed Occurrence of forbidden activities including chewing chat, smoking, and fecing

54
and 10% of respondents in Africa Park have observed too. More than 30% of Park users notifies
as they are disturbed while they are recreating due to the pollution created by the activities.

4.3.1.6 Land use change and incompatibility

The results obtained from observation, sub city SBPDA officials, and more than 50%
respondents of Tekele Hyamanot Park reveal that; Due to lack of monitoring and follow up of
private developers; some recreational parks in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa changed the
function of the park in to another. For example Ambassador Park was changed to pure hotel
and It is now closed (observation and interview of W/ro Almaz Mekonnen Manager of
AASBPDA). Based on the officials interview and observation in Tekele Hyamnot park, there are
activities and services that are not allowed in the park which partially changed the park to
commercial. It is due to the alcoholic drinks and other gambling games undertaken at the park.

A B

Figure: 4. 28 alcohol drinks area(A) and gambling houses(B) in Tekel Hymanot Park
Source: photo taken by the researcher

The figures shown above are in Tekel Hyamnot Park .Picture 4.27 „A‟ and „B‟ are a cafeteria and
pool houses that are administrated by private developers which functions against the intended
purpose like Alcoholic drinks and gambling. Everybody could enter to this part without fee
because it is not part of the park. Which shows that the stated function of recreational parks are
changed to another function which is caused by lack of strong institutional set up and capacity
as stated in the institutional challenges of recreational parks.

The planning of spatial developments must be sensitive to four environmental issues including
compatibility, suitability, sustainability and limitations and constraints of the site. However

55
recreational parks in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa have problems of compatibility. Tekele
Hymanot Park has compatibility problem because Tekele Hymanot church is located near to
the park and causes sound pollution to the people especially in holidays as about 25% of
respondents complain about it.

4.3.1.7 Security issues

According to the officials interview from AASBPDA and workers interview in the park; The Park
has designed and developed with 3 parts with the name of Addis Ababa Park, Ethiopia Park,
and Africa Union Park with total area of 45707m2. Currently only Africa Park gives services but
Addis Ababa Park and Ethiopia Park are closed due to security issues. (MoUDH, 2015) do not
proclaim anything about security issues however interviewed officials from AASBPDA ,the
mangers of Africa park and significant number of respondents stated that public area and highly
secured offices should be separated unless absolute democracy is prevailed in Ethiopia.

A B

Figure: 4. 29 security issues in Africa Park

Source: photo taken by the researcher, 2017

Africa Park is near the palace, the foreign affairs offices and near economic commission of
Africa. As a result the park will be less attractive to the users. As shown in figure 4.28 „A‟ the
federal police are inside the park which makes the park users discomfort as the park manager
and nearly all of the respondents testified.

56
 4.3.2 Economic challenges

4.3.2.1 Low considerations of urban poor

According to Association (2011), access to urban recreational parks and recreation programs
should have no fee. Similarly MoUDH (2015) states competent authorities may require
members of the public to pay an entry fee to use public green open spaces. However,
authorities should allow free entry for people, who have no other free access to green spaces
where they live, do not have gardens, do not have cars and might not be able to afford entry
fees. But based on the observation and interview made with the official‟s AASBPDA; there is no
rule or systems that can identify who can afford and who cannot.

Table: 4. 11 Respondent’s affordability in Africa Park and Tekele Hyamont Park

Africa park Tekele hyamont park Frequen Percent
Frequency Percent cy
yes 13 32.5 yes 16 40.0
no 27 67.5 no 24 60.0
Total 40 100.0 Total 40 100.0
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Based on the results drawn from respondents of Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park 67.5 % of
respondents in Africa Park and 60 % in Tekele Haymanot testified that entry price of the parks
could not affordable. As they also testified the costly entrance fee makes them in order not to
come to the park frequently. According to the results drawn from 4 guardians‟ interview in Tekel
Hymanot Park, there are people who refuse to pay 2 birr and leads to assault and violence to
them. They recommended that the government should make recreational parks entry free.

Figure: 4. 30: entry prices of Africa Park and Tekele Hyamont Park
Source: captured by the researcher march, 2017

Entry prices in Africa Park are 20 birr for children and 30 birr for adults that cannot be affordable
for many people as 67.5% of Park users mentioned. Africa park manager justifies that the entry

57
price is not affordable to many people, which causes limited park users that finally leads to low
return of their organization and poor services. The official also added that the income that is
collected from the park users does not cover even the salary of the employees so that
government should subside and release sufficient fund to recreational parks thus people can
enter to the park with optimum price that they could afford and get efficient services.

4.3.2.2 High Land value

The demand on outdoor recreation areas of every kind has been increasing faster than the
supply of lands and facilities can accommodate (Wheeler, 2011). According to Johannesburg
Development Agency (2001) a number of factors contributed to high land values and rentals in
inner city like, congestion, lack of parking, and a restructuring in the office market that saw
demand for office parks grow, and the subsequent development of suburban shopping malls.

Interviewed Officials‟ discuss scarcity of Land resource is one of the main challenges of
recreational parks in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa. They also mark as the land value in inner
city of Addis Ababa is high; so opens spaces and green areas are changed to another land use
and sold to investors for high rise buildings against the structural and local development plans.
Poor management, corruption, and others are stated as challenges; but they emphases on high
land value that highly contribute to Recreational parks insufficiency and narrowness in inner sub
cities of Addis Ababa.

4.3.2.3 Low Budget

Budgets are perennially inadequate, and recreation land acquisition probably could not feasibly
support all user demands or perceived “needs.” As cited in mensah (2014) ,(Mpofu, 2013)
indicates due to Lack of political will - Beautification projects halted in Addis Ababa Institutional
inefficiencies (financial constraints, low staff strength, lack of logistics, bureaucracies,
corruption, political interference, and embezzlement of funds) are another challenges
mentioned.`

Similarly, in this study interviewed officials reveals Lack of enough budgets for urban green
infrastructures is another finical challenge which influences the services and functionality of
recreational parks directly or indirectly.

58
 4.3.3 Poor Capacity Building

4.3.3.1 Absence of participatory planning Approach

The limited role of the wider community in the development and management of urban
recreational parks; the highly limited opportunity by the wider community to access these
facilities; and the very traditional approach towards development of urban centers have had
contributed to the complex problems that halted the progress of recreation parks and other
green spaces in the centers (AASBPDA, 2015).
100 90
82.5
50
Africa park
17.5
10
0 Tekel hymanot park
participated not particpated
Figure: 4.31 respondents level of participation in recreational parks development
Source: computed by the researcher

Based on the data drawn from respondents of Africa and Tekele Hyamanot park about 85 % of
respondents testified that there is Low level of community participation. Similarly based on the
interview held to officials of the concerned body whether they have participatory planning for
recreational parks or not; 90 % of the interviewers are answered as they do not have
participatory planning.

4.3.3.2 Poor management

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1996) defines Management is a

cyclical process involving the formulation of goals; planning and programming; implementation;
operation and maintenance; monitoring and evaluation; and application of information derived
from monitoring to planning and operational functions. Based on the interview made with
officials‟ 75 % responded as they have no clear hierarchy of recreational parks management
and clear parameters to be managed by the AASBPDA, sub city SBPDA, Woreda, private.
AASBPDA have the power and duty of Develop or give contract agreement second-party of
private, NGO or volunteers developers to work on Closed Park and manage and monitor in
accordance with the agreement for the proper service delivery for the public or community.
Africa Park is administrated by private investor. Based on the manager of Africa Park, there is
no agreement with AASBPDA so the park does for the priority of the organization. Since the
park is responsible to AASBPDA, they face difficulties to monitor.

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 4.3.3.3 Lack of follow up and monitoring

Officials attested that SBPDA are primarily responsible to recreational parks management and
follow up. However as they stated there is no proper follow up and monitoring to take measures
to illegal activities in recreational parks. About 30 % of the respondents in Africa and Tekele
Hymanot Park also indicated that government is not taking measures to illegal activities in the
park. Based on the observation made in the park, there are different facilities that are restricted
from the park like alcoholic drinks, facilities for gambling like kerbola and Pool which shows that
there is low monitoring.

4.3.3.4 Lack of integration and collaboration of different organizations

According to Sara et al. (2015) the importance of communication and collaboration is elimination
of professional barriers in order to incorporate green qualities and bring effective and efficient
development in the densification plans and projects. However based on the interview made
organizations have their own roles but they do not integrate each other. According to the Kirkos
sub city SBPDA manager in principle recreational parks have internal and external integration
as shown in the figure 4.32, but practically those organizations do by themselves.

External relationship is the integration of organizations for the same issues but has low stake
than those which have internal relationship of organizations that integrate for the common
interest for developing and sustaining the projects.

According to Ato Eshetu, park design and development team leader in AASBPDA, the
challenges of the organization is lack of integration, unclear and non-participatory, absence of
organized data, etc are stated as challenges. The official also put the roles of the different
stakeholders and their problems.

Land management authority has a mandate to provide permission for the proposed
development and give the rights of ownership for the intended purpose but it lacks integration
with AASBPDA since plans that are proposed for the green areas are changed to another
development. AA urban planning institute and offices of the structural plan preparation have a
role of follow up the implementation of recreational parks according to the plan or not and
prepare plans and documents. The good sides of the these organizations as mentioned by Ato
Ephrem in AADPO they prepare sufficient recreational and green spaces but failed to follow up
the implementations due to lacks of integration too.

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 External relations

Advertisement office

Plan and documents

Preparing park level Police
commission
EPA
SBPDA

Street medians and side

trees MoUD
Addis Ababa traffic
monitoring and
regulation Controlling recreational parks trees and
AACRA
fences damage

Internal relations
AAWSA

Water provision

Cleaning services SBPDA City plan office

agency
Plan and documents
Integration
Land supply and building permission

Land management authority

Figure: 4. 32: External and internal relation of concerned organizations to recreational park
Source: AASBPDA, 2016

AAWSA has role of providing water to the services but the organization do not address water
services adequately to recreational parks. For instance the plants in Lideta Park are watered
with vehicles that bring from another area which shows that lack of integration.

61
Addis Ababa capacity building offices has primary role of flourishing qualified and experienced
professionals in park management, park design ,planning ,etc ; however as stated by W/ro
Almaz Mekonnen ( the manager of the AASBPDA ) lack of experienced professionals are the
challenges of the organization due to lack of integration.

Officials in AAEPA discusses that the organization need to increase the green cover of the city
through keeping the implementation of green infrastructures according to the plans, control the
sound pollution level, controls the species types planted in the parks, etc . Also they have
prepared manuals and guide lines about recreational parks tree species type and pollution
tolerance scale. However due to AASBPDA as well as AADPO do not use the manuals
prepared as witnessed by the officials, due to this some plants in the park are against the
standard.

Cleaning services agency are those that provide cleaners for the park but according to the
manager of Lideta sub city SBPDA, cleaners who are employed by Agencies lacks skills and
experiences in the park cleaning; it is also challenges for the guardians.

Addis Ababa Advertisement offices has role of giving information about the park including its
location, services given by the park, safety measures taken ,etc but it lacks integration with
AASBPDA which brings problem. For example Africa Park is situated in center of the city but
many park users are not come to the park due to absence of promotion as stated by more than
65% park users in Africa Park and the park manager.

Governmental and non-governmental organizations have relationships with the SBPDA

including NGOs and private firms for developing the parks, street sides, etc which have hopeful
start for the future. To sum up as stated in the first paragraph of this topic even if different
organizations that have relations with AASBPDA have plans or aims to do, it lacks integration
and collaboration.

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 4.3.3.5 Human resources

Human resources are one of the challenges to recreational parks. Abuse of power and
corruption are issues that affect institutional capacity in the area. Based on the manager of
SBPDA (W/O Almaz) implementing bodies of UGI, contractors, landscape designers and
planners lack experience and knowledge on recreational park management and development.
For instance as stated by the park manager of Africa Park, the water access provided in Africa
park stops working due to lack of experienced professionals aided with the low cost benefit
return of it. On the other hand Ato Eshestu official in AASBPDA discusses about the planters
and other workers could not work in modern way due to they are too old.

4.3.4 Technical challenges

4.3.4.1 Poor Plant diversity and selection

According to MoUDH(2015) within a park, at least 50 % of trees should be fruit trees to support
food security. A diversity of plant species (ornamental trees, fruit trees, shrubs, vines,
groundcovers, grasses, and herbaceous plants) should be assured in order to guarantee the
biodiversity of parks. However based on observation and interview of officials in both parks
studied, there are no fruit trees to support food security expect the presence of two avocado
trees in Tekele Hymanot Park.

Figure: 4. 33 ornamental trees in Tekle Hymanot Park and no ornamental trees in Africa Park
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Based on the observation made by the researcher, Tekle Hymanot Park has (ornamental trees,
fruit trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses) plant species types however Africa Park lacks
fruit trees, enough ornamental trees, and grasses.

63
 4.3.4.2 Poor material selection for fences and poor design

According to (MoUDH, 2015) standard the Park fences and walls should be made of durable
materials and as much as possible out of locally available materials and 50% of it should be
open and clear. However some parks like Tekele Hymanot Park has dead and closed fences at
all parts except the entrance side and the it is not environmentally friendly as shown in the left
figures below.

Figure: 4. 34 : fencing materials in Tekele Hymanot and Africa Park

Source: photo taken by the researcher, 2017

As shown in the figure 4.34, the construction material of the fences is iron bar and it is not
environmental friendly in both parks. Recreational parks are important and considered as
environmental regulators by giving regulating ecosystem services but they become sources of
pollution. The park managers in Tekele haymanot and Africa park as well W/ro Almaz
Mekonnen the manager of SBPDA said that fences are in iron bar and sheet, thus they are
easily rusted and polluted the environment. Significant number of respondents in Africa and
Tekele Hymanot park said fences are not well coming they added the reason that they want to
see local, cultural and naturalistic features in the park. Nearly 90% of the respondents in Tekele
Hymanot Park are not comfort able with fences because it covers the view of them towards the
surrounding. For the sake of safety from injuries (MoUDH, 2015) declares, Fences of parks shall
not contain pointed finials and sharp edges. However as shown in pictures above the fences
have pointed finals.

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 4.3.4.3 Absence of necessary facilities

Recreational parks must have many facilities to function efficiently and effectively. All necessary
facilities of the recreational park should be provided by the competent authorities however sub
city recreational parks lack basic facilities. sub city parks shall have a playground for children in
the age group 2-10 years; should have additional playground facilities like an adventure
playground; shall have formal sport facilities (e.g. hard surface basketball court, volleyball court,
football field, table tennis) of which some should be lighted for night use; shall have seating and
tables; shall have litter bins; shall have adequate lighting; shall have adequate number of toilets;
shall have on-street as well as off-street parking space; should have storage facilities and
service buildings; should integrate some storm water management practices; may have
sculptures; should have food corners and small retail shops; should have first aid services;
should include some urban agriculture; should have composting facilities; may have an internet
café; may have a bank or ATM machine; may have a swimming pool (MoUDH, 2015).however
the researcher concluded from observation, interview and respondent that as many facilities
lacks in inner sub cities parks
45.0% 40.0% 37.5%
40.0% 35.0%
35.0% 30.0% Africa
30.0% Tekele Hymanot 25.0% park
39.5% 20.0%
25.0% Park 20.0%
20.0% 12.5%
15.0% 10.0%
15.0% 10.0% 10.0%
7.5% 7.5% 10.0% 7.5% 7.5%
10.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%
5.0% 2.5% 2.5% 5.0%
0.0% 0.0%

Figure: 4. 35 Facilities mentioned by Park users to be added in Tekele Hymanot and Africa Park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Based on the data drawn from respondents in Africa and Tekele Hyamnot Park, the following
share of respondents mentioned facilities to be added in the parks. parking (37.5% in Africa
park), benches (7.5% in Tekele Hymanot park), elder‟s play facilities (20%), animals (5%),
children paly grounds (39.5% in Tekele Hymanot park), water access (12.5%), Varity of food
services (7.5%), Restrooms and sport facilities are some of the facilities that are mentioned by
the officials and respondents to be added.

65
 4.3.5 Environmental challenges

The study viewed environmental challenges of recreational parks with respect to noise and air
pollution. As many literatures discussed recreational park needs a calm area that is important to
engage to the nature. However in the Africa and Tekele Hymanot Parks sound pollution is one
of the challenges for park users that are caused by vehicular and people‟s noisy.

100% 95%
80%
55%
60%
40% 25%
15% Africa Park
20% 2.50% 5% 2.50% 0%
0% Tekel hymanot park
people and car people and car Bad smell bad
noise noise and bad smell,dust,noisy
smell
Figure: 4. 36 : park user’s response to disturbance types
Source: questionaries’

60% of respondents attested that they have problems of noise in the park. Every land use has
its own standard how much it should be far from high sound emitting land uses and the
maximum permitted emission of it in order to create social wellbeing and healthy society. But
according to the official‟s interview from AASBPDA, AAUPI and AAEPA such sound
compatibility are not considered when they are planned and designed.

About 25 % of Respondents in Tekele Hymanot Park indicate that Tekele Hymanot Park has
compatibility problem because Tekele Hymanot church is located near to the park and causes
sound pollution to the people especially in holidays.

Figure: 4. 37 : waste dumping adjacent to Tekele Hymanot Park

Source: photo taken by the researcher, 2017

66
95 % of park users in Africa Park complain about the vehicular noise emitted and majority of
respondents on the other hand (55%) in Tekele Hymanot Park complain about the bad smell
they feel. Officials in TekeleHymanot park indicate that the causes of air pollution are due to
lack of integration of AASBPDA and AASWRPO, lack of follow up, lack of public awareness and
poor waste management in the parks.

Poor waste management and aesthetically unpleasant environment at Tekele Hymanot

park

The improper disposal of waste results in the, pollution‟ of man‟s environment (Danquah, 2010).
Enyew (2013) indicates as urban waste management has been a challenge for municipalities
and urban governments in the developing world, largely due to poor infrastructure, bureaucratic
competence, and limited institutional capacity of the municipalities.

A B

C
D
Figure: 4.38: Aesthetically unpleasant area in theTekele Hymanot Park
Source: photo taken by the researcher

Figure 4.38 (A) shows kitchen grey wastes drain to the walkway that is due to lack of follow up
and sense of owner ship for the park. Officials in the park said that different solid wastes like
plastic bottles disposed there by park users and passersby‟s who throw in as shown picture B.
based on the results drawn from respondents of Africa and Tekele Hyamanot park about 90% of
them justified as they are not comfortable the services and recommended that facilities should
be repaired.

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 4.3.6 Physical challenges

This study identifies deterioration of facilities, lack of comfort and convince, and size of parks
are physical challenges which are discussed as follows:

4.3.6.1 Lack of maintenance and deterioration of facilities

Based on the observation and interviews made to the officials specifically to SBPDA;
recreational parks are not maintained timely which resulted reckless accidents to the users and
environmental degradation featured with soil pollution, air pollution ,etc. The deterioration is due
to low attention to parks and poor management as stated in institutional challenges of
recreational parks. Chairs in the park, fences, toilets, and other facilities need maintenance in
inner sub Cities Park.
35%
30%
30% 27.50%
25% 25% 25%
25%
20% Africa park
20%
15% Tekle Hyamnot
15% 12.50%
10%
10% 7.50%
5% 2.50%
0%
0%
water all faclities play walk ways Benches Car parking
accessibility grounds

Figure: 4. 39 : Responses of park users on improvements of facilities in Africa and Tekel Hyamnot Park
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

4.3.6.2 Size of parks

According to the MoUDH(2015) , A Sub-city Park should be around 8 ha (sub-city)of land , can
serve up to 160,000 people in a radius of 4,000 m, with a carrying capacity of 0.05 ha/1,000
population. But in inner sub cities all sub city level area of recreational parks are below the
standard as shown in annex II 68Table 15. Example Tekele Hymanot park is 0.4 ha which lacks
7.4 ha of land to meet the standards of sub city parks. The Cashier and one Guardian in Tekele
Hymanot Park stated that due to the park has small area, in the weekend the maximum capacity
of the park reached which caused discomfort to privacy of individuals. Significant number of
respondents in the park also stated that they lack privacy and many facilities that are caused by
small size of the park.

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 4.3.6.3 Lack of Comfort and Convenience

MoUDH(2015) declares all facilities like Playgrounds should be in safe condition at all times;
Pavements on playgrounds should have protective surfacing. On the same source it is stated
that Children‟s playground should have protective surfacing in order to prevent them from injury
and to increase convenience. However based on the data drawn from respondents of Africa and
Tekele hymanot park 52.5 % of respondents‟ from Africa and All from Tekele Hyamanot testified
that pavements, facilities, play grounds, etc are not comfortable. As they also mentioned; other
facilities like access roads and Trails are not convenient because it causes children unsafe.

Figure: 4. 40: lack of comfort and connivance of play grounds and other facilities in Africa and Tekele
Hymanot Park
Source: photo taken by the researcher, 2017

As shown in the figure 4.40 above play grounds have no protective covers, trails, water lines
and access roads are not convenient and not feel comfortable.in addition some picnic areas in
inner sub cities park are not comfort able due to deterioration, incompatible land use and poor
design.

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 4.4 Challenges of Street sides and medians trees in the study areas

4.4.1 Physical challenges

Eyob(2010) discusses Infrastructure development including trenching work for

telecommunication, sewers, and water is physical challenges of street trees In Addis Ababa.
Most of the underground utility was not undertaken in a coordinated manner so that Damage to
tree roots occurred during the installation and maintenance of service utilities. However besides
it, this study reveals other physical challenges including land use change, human intervention
like street vendors and street persons discussed as follows:

4.4.1.1 Damage of trees

Based on the observation and interview results of officials from AACRA and AASBPDA, street
trees are damaged due to vehicular, lack of follow up, improper site management, illegal
activities of people arise from lack of awareness, etc. on the other hand they are a challenge by
themselves as discussed in technical challenges of Street sides and medians trees since wrong
plant selection causes infrastructure degradation.

A B
Figure: 4.41 :damaged plants in the study areas
source; captured by the researcher,2017

Figure 4.41 „A‟ depicts that the trees are planted without protective cover that exposed to
damage. On the other hand picture „B‟ shows that dried tree in the median that could be
mitigated or completely eradicated with proper keeping of plants at initial stage and proper
follow up and monitoring after planting them as discussed in institutional challenges of Street
sides and medians trees.

4.4.1.2 Land use change of Road medians

Street medians are intended to give environmental and other ecosystem services but in inner
sub cities of Addis Ababa street medians are changed into market area, parking area, and

70
waste dumping area; due to poor institutional set up and management. AACRA Road Design
Team Manager asserts that; Functions away from intended purpose bring other challenges like
environmental degradation and traffic accident and finally risks to human wellbeing‟s.

B
A
Figure: 4. 42: Road medians for parking and marketing area on street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos
Church
Source; captured by the researcher, 2017

As shown in Figure 4.42 „A‟ cars are parked in wide street medians; the researcher interviewed
significant number of passersby and concluded that, car accident, close the pedestrian
crossings, decrease imperviousness of the area, etc are some of the impacts followed the
change. Figure 4.42 „B‟ shows Street marketing on street medians which impose challenge on
green spaces and street trees. Generally as the researcher concluded that the environmental
challenges would be imposed if the intended purpose of street medians are changed since it
decreases the green spaces.

4.4.1.3 Street persons

Street persons are homeless people staying the night and day in the street. Based on the
officials‟ interview of AASBPDA, AACRA, Lideta and Kirkos Sub cities SBPDA ;They mention
street persons as the challenges of street trees since they live there the whole night and day;
they damage the plants deliberately for the purpose of sleeping. As the officials stated, they cut
trees for sleeping purpose too.

A B C
Figure: 4. 43: houses supported by street trees
Source: captures by the researcher, 2017

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Based on the researcher observation in the study streets, street persons do their houses there
by making street trees one side for supporting their houses which impose challenges to trees as
shown in the figure above.

4.4.1.4 Street vendors

Street vendors are who use streets as a market area. during site observation for this study; The
researcher Observation that Street vendors are other challenges for street side trees especially
at the initial stage of the plantation and for those which have no protecting cover as shown in
the figure 4.44 below. The officials said that; this is caused by lack of proper follow up and
monitoring besides lack of public awareness towards street trees.

A B C

figure 4.44: street vendors intervention to street trees

source: computed by the researher,2017

as shown in the figure 4.43 street vendors put their staffs on street trees which casuses physical
damage on it. In addition to this street vendors damage street trees by themselves while they
sell their staffs especially to young trees. the researcher revealed that it is high challenges of
street trees in road from Africa union Round about to Bulgaria Round about specfically around
Michael church.This is aproblem of all inner subcities street side trees especially in those areas
that many moblitiies are for instance on streets from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church and Africa
union Round about to Bulgaria Round about.

4.4.2 Planning and design challenges

According to Christopher et al. (2011) appropriate tree species selection and location and
design of the planting site will ensure the healthy growth and longevity of trees, enhance
streetscape character, and maximize the City‟s investment. Finally it enhances property values
in residential neighborhoods and commercial Areas. However in inner sub cities of Addis

72
Ababa; appropriate tree species selection, location, and design are not practiced. Some of
planning and design challenges are stated as follows:

4.4.2.1 Low diversity of street trees (LDST)

Planting a diverse urban forest with the right tree in the right place can enhance a city
streetscape and reduce the long-term cost of tree replacement and maintenance (Farley, 2013).
According to MoUDH (2015) there should be diverse plant selection to improve the social,
economic, and environmental value of a particular space. But based on the observation plants
that are planted in street medians and sides are low and sometimes monotonous; in inner sub
cities of Addis Ababa. This means street trees are not in the right plant composition that leads
poor streetscape which finally reduces the value of the area.

Figure: 4.45 Gravilla along street medians and side in Africa union Round about to Bulgaria Round about
Source; computed by the researcher, 2017

73
On the street from Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria Roundabout along Africa union in Lideta sub city
and kirkos sub city, the median and street side trees are dominated by Gravilla As shown in the
figure 4.45.

Figure: 4.46: phoenix recilenta along street side and medians on Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Similarly on the street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church the dominant street side trees are
phoenix recilnta (zenbaba) as shown in figure 4.46 which are monotones. As stated in David et
al. (2004) Planning for species diversity, establishing native trees and avoiding or reducing
conflicts with utilities, views, and other urban constraints street tree guide lines are among
others. No one genus (e.g., Prunus) should represent more than 30% of the total street tree
populations. However based on researcher estimation 95% of the trees is Garvilla on street
from Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria Roundabout shows failure in variety and native trees.

74
 4.4.2.2. Inappropriate plant species selections

Street tree plantation in Addis Ababa is based on aesthetic values (beautification)

(Kumelachew, 2015). but Appropriate tree species selection should consider: form, mature size,
color, and texture to reflect the urban design goals of a street; the mature tree canopy with
respect to how it may affect street and pedestrian lighting or views of signage and building
fronts (Christopher et al, 2011).however based on data drawn from officials from AACRA,
AAEPA and AASBPDA; in Addis Ababa trees are not planted according to the standard due to
lack of integration and experienced professionals. They also added that when selecting trees for
placement on streets, we should consider the exact use of the plants (shade, fruit, seasonal
color, beautification, wind break, or screen etc).

4.4.2.2.1 Median tree: shape and Trunk diameter

Matching tree characteristics to nearby architectural styles, community, or historical identity,

surrounding trees and other contextual aspects add to the visual unity and continuity of a street
or neighborhood (urban forest guideline for Addis Ababa city).

A, shape

When selecting a tree to plant in a green space „form „follows function. Selecting the right shape
to complement the desired function can increase the maintenance cost and the value of the tree
in the land scape. however in streets of the study areas ,trees are not planted by such guide
lines because spreading and up right plants exist in the places where columnar plants are more
important(suitable) and vice versa.

A B

Figure: 4. 47: columnar shape plants on the street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church and spreading
plants on the National Bank Area to Amistegna police station respectively
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017
75
Picture 4.47 „A‟ shows street from North to south that need spreading canopy to protect cars
from afternoon harsh sun where as in picture B spreading plants is not significant since it is east
to west road. According to the (urban forest guideline for Addis Ababa city) roads oriented from
east to west, trees with tall bole and conical shape can be used; and for roads oriented from
north to south with short bole and broad crown can be planted to maximize shade cast on the
pedestrian walk way. However as expressed before in the study areas on the street from Gofa
Mazoriya to Kirkos Church (roads orient north to south) lacks spreading plants species; rather
they are more of columnar and upright plants dominated by phoenix Recilnta. On the other hand
plants on streets that orient from east to west like Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria and National Bank
Area to Amistegna police station are spreading rather than columnar which are against the
standard as shown in figure 4.47 „B‟.

B, Trunk diameter

As stated in Christopher et al. (2011) tree species selected for planting on median strips that
are 1.3 m to 2 m wide should be expected to grow to trunk diameters no greater than 30cm and
on median strips greater than 2 m wide, trees obtaining larger diameters may be used. However
such guide lines regarding trunk diameter and median size relationships are not stated in urban
forest guideline for Addis Ababa city. So that absence of proper guide lines that addresses all
characteristics or requirements is challenge for inner sub cities of Addis Ababa. Due to this
there are plants of which trunk diameters are greater than 30 cm in median strips less than 2 m
wide which final leads infrastructure damage, traffic accident, aesthetically unpleasant and etc
as shown in the figures below.

Figure: 4.48: trunk diameters greater than 30 cm on streets from Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria Round
about and National Bank Area to Amistegna police station respectively
Source: captured by the researcher
The same problems happen on the street from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church and to other
inner sub cities street medians.

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 4.4.2.2.2 Height of shrubs in the medians

Trees located in medians should have a vertical clearance of the lowest branch of 8 feet (3.2 m)
in height over the median, and 14 feet (4 m) in height for any portion of the tree that overhangs
the roadway. Shrubs located in the median should not exceed 3 feet (1m) above the roadway.

Figure: 4.49: shrubs with height greater than 1 m on street from National Bank Area to Amistegna police
station
Source: captured by the researcher

Tree branches that extend into the path of travel must maintain 80 inches (2m) of vertical
clearance. However there are street side plants which have no 2 m vertical clearance from the
pedestrian walk ways. This is highly depends on the species selected for placement especially
in street sides which mobility is high since it does not bring comfort. For example on the street
from Gofa Mazoriya to Kirkos Church this problem happens.

4.4.2.3 In appropriate location and spacing

4.4 .2.3.1 in appropriate location of trees

The standard of spacing side trees should be on 1/3 of the width of the side walk at the side of
street. The location of plants should not create visual and physical obstacle (even at maturity).
However Street side trees are planted wrongly at the center of the side walk or at the corner of
the side walk without considering the dimensions of the sidewalks in the study areas as shown
in the figure below. All plants shown in the pictures below are planted in half/middle distance of
the side walk that make the pedestrians discomfort it is because it makes the space small and
to covers sight which leads pedestrians collision. The branches and trunk of phoenix Reclinta
shown in picture „A‟ covers the whole side walk which makes it inaccessible.

77
 A B C
Figure: 4. 50: in appropriate location of street side trees
Source: captured by the researcher

4.4.2.3. 2 Street Trees clearance from Street Amenities and Utilities

A, Traffic signs

There are many street scape elements but elements considered in this study include Traffic
signs, man holes, utility poles, and fences.

According to MoUDH (2015) the minimum distance between tree stem and a stop sign shall be
5 m and other traffic signs shall be 1.5 m. However officials from AACRA and AASBPDA reveal,
due to lack of integration between Addis Ababa traffic monitoring and regulation, Addis Ababa
sanitation beautification park development agency and other related organizations, traffic signs
are located near street trees against the standard in the inner sub cities of Addis Ababa
Street.as well the researcher has testified this during site observation as they are against.

A B C
Figure: 4. 51: Traffic signs located against the standard on the street from Maryam Tseble to Bulgaria
Round about and National Bank Area to Amistegna police station
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

The minimum distance between tree stem and a traffic control device shall be 7 m. But as
shown in figure 4.51 „C‟, the distance between traffic control device and stem of the tree is less
than 1 m. which is the problems of many traffic control devices in inner sub cities of Addis

78
Ababa Street sides and medians trees .As AACRA road design team manager states such kind
of problems causes the driver to take misleading actions since the plants cover the device.

B, Manholes

According to (Christopher et al, 2011) manholes should be far from street trees with 3 feet
(0.9m). (The minimum horizontal distance between tree stem and a utility manhole shall be 1.5
m MoUDH (2015). However in the study streets some trees are planted next to utility boxes
without any gap as shown in the pictures below.

A B

Figure: 4.52: in appropriate location of street side trees and utility manholes
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Utility Manholes are the void spaces under the streets left for the purpose of maintenance of
utilities. So that if trees planted in the way shown in pictures above roots of trees would be
damaged during operation phase of the maintenance and construction phase of the manholes
incase trees are planted before the excavation of the manholes. The researcher concluded that
if street trees be far from manholes it will not be damaged even in underground infrastructure
development against to (Eyob, 2010).

C. Electric and Tele poles

As stated in Christopher et al. (2011) street trees should be 1.5 m far from the utility poles
especially from the electrical poles. However in Ethiopian national urban green infrastructure
standard, the minimum horizontal distance between tree stem and overhead electrical
distribution / power lines shall be 3 m. Only small trees (not reaching the height of the utility line)
may be planted closer to overhead electrical distribution / power lines. But their mature height
should stay 1.5 m below the line. However, based on the researcher observation in inner sub

79
cities of Addis Ababa Street trees are planted less than 1.5 m distance between it and electric
poles even contact each other.

According to the standard, the minimum distance between tree stem and a street light shall be 5
m. However street plants causes dark at inner sub cities street of Addis Ababa due to in
appropriate location of street lights and plants which is primarily caused by lack of integration
and weak institutional set up as shown in picture 4.53 „B‟.

A B C
Figure: 4. 53 in appropriate location of street utility poles
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

As shown in the picture 4.53 „C‟ electric lines are passed in side two main twin branches of the
tree and it is exposed to infrastructure damage at the time when the branches are fallen. This
shows that there is lack of implementation, lack of proper follow up and monitoring of street
trees.

D, Fences

According to the Ethiopian green infrastructures standards, the minimum distance between tree
stem and any adjacent built structure shall be 2 m. More space should be allowed for wider
trees.

A B C
Figure: 4.54: street side trees near the fences and buildings in the study areas
Source: captured by the researcher, march 2017

80
All branches shall be pruned to allow approximately 1 m clearance from a building. However in
the inner sub cities of Addis Ababa, such problems exist as shown in the figure 4.54 above. The
trees have wide spreading branches planted close to the buildings as shown in 4.54 figure „A‟
and Figure 4.54 „B‟ which causes the collection leafs on the roof.

In appropriate color of fences

Regarding the fences of street medians, different standards advise the material should be
environmental friendly, locally available and economical to increase sustainability. Similarly
according to MoUDH(2015) fences should be made of durable, out of locally available materials
and should have no pointed finials and sharp edges. In addition fences should have the color of
the surrounding building or character. However Street sides and medians trees are fenced
without considering the color of the surrounding character as shown in the figure below.

A B
Figure: 4. 55: incompatible color and pointed fences on street from National Bank Area to Amistegna
police station
Source: captured by the researcher, march 2017

On the entire street from National Bank Area to Amistegna police station; the color of the
surrounding building is not black but the fences are black which causes non-harmonious
character in the area.

E, pavements

MoUDH(2015) States in order to avoid compaction trough people or cars a tree basin should
have a clear demarcation, preferable of permeable material. An appropriate design for edging
and demarcating the basin edges and planting zone are cobblestones or brick paving. As well
there should be enough space that is provided for plants to grow healthy but street trees
particularly street side trees face a challenge of space to grow their root even their leaves due to
low commitment and lack of integration.

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 A B C

Figure: 4. 56 : street side trees near the fences and buildings in the study areas
Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Due to poor aeration, and drainage problems caused by compaction as shown in figure 4.56 „A‟
and „B‟ plants cannot grow very well and .

finally dried. The researcher concluded that in appropriate paving is a challenge of street trees
in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa since Roots of trees, shrubs and other plants cannot grow
optimally in compacted soils. Furthermore, water does not drain well into and through
compacted soil.

As shown in the picture „C‟ the researcher observed and officials discussed that in addition to
the problems to the roots and stems of the plant; the supporting system is not comfortable to
pedestrians and brings problems for them like collision and sense of discomfort.

4.4.3 Environmental challenges

One of the intended purposes of Street sides and medians trees are giving environmental
services but based on the observation and official‟s interview they face environmental
challenges such as become waste dumping site and sources of pollution.

Figure: 4. 57 : waste dumping at the street trees in the study areas

Source: captured by the researcher march, 2017

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As stated in the institutional and, management challenges of recreational parks, lack of
monitoring and follow up streets plants leads people to dump their wastes in the Street sides
and medians trees. On the other hand planters use fertilizers for streets using that are not
environmental friendly and suitable for the plants beyond the optimum that plant needs leads
water pollution due to infiltration.

4.4.4 Poor Institutional and management challenges

Based on the analysis made by the researcher; Street sides and medians trees are primarily
administrated by the Addis Ababa Sanitation Beautification and Park Development Agency like
recreational parks of Addis Ababa. Based on the analysis made, Street sides and medians trees
share all Institutional and management challenges of recreational parks since they have similar
internal and external relationships with other organizations as W/ro Almaz Mekonnen (Manager
of AASBPDA) demanding improved institutional set up and management of them.

83
 4.5 challenges of Cobblestone roads in the study areas

Cobblestone roads reduce storm water runoff volume from paved surfaces, reduce peak
discharge rates, increase recharge through infiltration, reduce pollutant transport through direct
infiltration, and improve site landscaping benefits (UN-Habitat, 2013).. However based on the
data drawn from respondents answer only 30 % of them replied; as they are benefited from the
Cobblestone roads .In the study areas different types of challenges are found including
degradation, water clogging of void spaces, pollution, and discomfort to communities.

Legend Legend

Cobblestone road in

Lideta Sub City

Cobblestone road in

Kirkos Sub City

Figure: 4. 58: selected Cobblestone roads in Lideta and kirkos subcities

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

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 4.5.1 Physical Challenges

Degradation, water clogging, and comfort to different activities are the physical challenges
revealed by the study and discussed follows.

4.5.1.1 Degradation of Roads

Permeable paving is most appropriate for pedestrian-only areas and for very low-volume, low-
speed vehicle areas such as overflow parking Areas, residential driveways, alleyways, and
parking stalls because it‟s load-bearing capacity is lower than that of conventional pavement, it
should not be used in Areas subject to excessive loads or high-speed traffic (ortiz). However
based on the interview made to different officials traffic load of the area is not considered. Just
construction of the Cobblestone road is going on through the willingness of Community
Development Teams and the community to participate in working the project.

Figure: 4. 59 : degraded Cobblestone roads in the study areas

Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

Based on the researcher observation, in those areas where traffic load and high mobility are,
Cobblestone roads are degraded, cracked and water clogged. AACRA road design team Leader
and CPCO manager‟s mention the causes of such challenges are due to poor work man ship,
poor sub base work, suitability problems etc.

Figure: 4.60 : traffic congestion in the study area

Source: captured by the researcher

About 48 % of respondents reveal that Degradation is one of the challenges of Cobblestone

roads in the area caused by traffic congestion and load.

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 4.5.1.2 Water clogging of void spaces

Cobblestones can be prone to clogging from sand and fine sediments that fill void spaces and
the joints between pavers. As a result, it should be used carefully where frequent winter sanding
is necessary because the sand may clog the surface of the material. However based on the
data drawn from respondents about 96% of them witness as there is no maintenance at all.

A B

Figure: 4.61: water clogged Cobblestone roads

Source: captured by the researcher, 2017

figure 4.60 „B‟ above shows that absence of compacted sand for filling the void spaces which
protects high infiltration of water to the sub base and leads water clogging aided with high traffic
load. Based officials from AACRA and CPCO and the researcher observation, in inner sub cities
of Addis Ababa; Cobblestone roads faces technical (absence of suitability analysis: - soil type,
Traffic load, and slope) and poor management; water clogging is happened which causes the
area uncomfortable and in accessible

4.5.1.3 uncomfortable to residents

As stated by 52 % of respondents in the study areas, Cobblestone roads have more comfort
relatively with the gravel and mud roads in the area. Cobblestone development team leader in
AACRA expresses Cobblestone roads are not recommended in areas where many people exist
and use the road as playing area, and street activities. It is because Cobblestones are easily
polluted and degraded related with size of the road, poor drainage, etc which leads to
discomfort to residents. The official highly recommended that Cobblestones should not be
developed in inner sub cities especially in slum areas.
100% 66% 70% 62.70%
32% 30% 37.30% yes
50%
0% no
walking children playing street activites
Figure: 4. 62: respondent’s reaction to Cobblestone roads comfort for different activities
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

86
As shown in the figure 4.61, 32%, 70%, and 37.3 % of the respondents are not comfortable with
the Cobblestone roads for walking, children playing, and street activities respectively. They put
their reasons like initially Cobblestones are not chiseled softly and lack of fine sand that fill the
void spaces together with up and down of the road due to improper vertical alignment; roads are
not comfortable for walking and children playing. 37.3 % of the respondents On the other hand
stated that; in the study areas wastes are dumped, dusts raised, liquid wastes are leaked and
poor drainage are frequent problems that cause air pollution so that it is not comfortable to
street activities.

60.00%
40.00%
20.00% 49.30%
22% 23.30%
0.00% 5.30%
unsatisfed modretly satisfed satisfied Exteremely satisfed

Figure: 4. 63 respondents’ satisfaction in Cobblestone roads of the study areas

Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Figure 4.62 paints that about 70 % of the residents in the area are not satisfied that shows the
presences of problems that should be upgraded.

4.5.2 Environmental challenges

Some of the positive impacts of the cobblestone roads that they do not require melting or boiling
like asphalt. Thus, does not contribute anything (temperature) to global warming (Tiwari, 2011).

On the other hand (ortiz) Permeable pavements are those pavements that accumulate and then
allow water flow across and in when water passes on them such as storm water runoff.
Permeable pavement allows storm water to slowly seep through (infiltrate), reaching the soil and
groundwater below the surface.

Thus the researcher conclude that ;It is environmental friendly since It decreases run-off and
pollutants materials from entering to water bodies and it is cost effective and locally available
material .Cobblestone is one of urban green infrastructures that are given priority by the
government of Ethiopia especially in urban areas. However Cobblestone roads in inner sub
cities of Addis Ababa, impose environmental problems including soil pollution and air pollution.

87
 4.5.2.1 Pollution

Cobblestone roads are introduced for the objectives of reducing storm water runoff volume from
paved surfaces, Reduce peak discharge rates, and Increase water recharge through infiltration,
reduce pollutant transport through direct infiltration, and improve site landscaping. However in
inner sub cities of Addis Ababa the roads have no site landscaping benefits as they are polluted
by liquid and solid wastes dumped which stay many times at the surface of the cobble. Thus, it
causes bad smell to the residents of the area; as revealed by 24 % of respondents. It is caused
by lack of follow up and monitoring of the Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities. based on
results drawn from respondents in the study areas; 75.3% of the respondents justified as
residents dumps wastes to the cobble and 24 % of them are challenged by since it aggravates
bad smell as shown in the table 4.12. And there is no any monitoring activities or legal actions
taken yet due to poor management.

A B C
Figure: 4.64 :pollution of Cobblestone roads by liquid and solid wastes
Source: captured by the researcher

As shown in the figure above liquid wastes from residents (figure A), garages (figure C), and
other street activities pollutes the road; it is leading to aesthetically unpleasant and bad smell to
the surroundings.
Table: 4. 12 : problems mentioned by the respondents in the study areas

challenges Frequency Percentage

water clogging 31 20.7%

wastes 36 24.0%
pollution
Dusts 19 12.7%
cracking 29 19.3%
others 11 7.3 %
All 24 16.0%
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

88
Periodic maintenance is critical, and surfaces should be cleaned with a vacuum sweeper at
least three times per year (Planning Council, Massachusetts Low Impact Development Toolkit).
As shown in the table 4.12 dust is mentioned third order problem; 12.7 % of respondents face
challenges of dust and it is a problem especially at dry season.it comes from the sub base and
surfaces that lack proper construction, proper design ,absence of sweeping and etc.

16.00% 6.70%

Not at all
13.30% 1 times summer
26.70%
54.70% 2 times winter
3 times 66.70%
Throughout the year
16.00%

figure 4.66 : weekly sweeping of the roads by goverment Figure: 4. 65 : Temporal dimension of pollution
Source: computed by the researcher, 2017 Source: computed by the researcher, 2017

Based on the data drawn from respondents in the study areas 54.7% of the respondents replied
that streets are not swept totally which shows the probability to be dusty roads. 16 % of
respondents replied as they have observed roads sweeping 3 times per week. Related with this
67.7% of the respondents justified that more problems are happened on winter because of dry
dust and lack of water to sweep the wastes dumped on the other hand 26.7 % of them asserts
the extent of problems is high at summer.

A B

Figure: 4. 67 dust problems in the study areas

Source: computed by the researcher

Picture 4.56 „A‟ depicts that the presence of soil dusts that is generated from sub base due to
absence of compacted sub base and lack of fine sands to fill the void spaces between the
pavers. On the other hand picture „B‟ shows dusts and soils on the road that come from
excavation works for the pavement and infrastructure works. CPCO manager discuss soils that
are collected from excavation should be taken to another place by the developers especially
AACRA and AAWSA failed to do this.

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 4.5.3 Institutional and management challenges

According to the interview made with Cobblestone project coordination office manager and
AACRA officials; Cobblestone development passes through long processes and different
organizations such as AACRA, CPCO, MSE, etc.

Cobblestone project coordination office has primary role on providing training on how to chisel
and pave Cobblestones. On the other hand AACRA has responsibility of preparing sub base
work for paving. Whereas the basic roles of MSE are selecting trainers, organize, joining to the
training institutions and Engaging to work.

Officials exclaim the challenges of the organizations as summarized below.

Cobblestone project coordination office:

- Poor quality of trainings, low willingness to the questions of the contractors

- Time delay for training and for joining the work leads to sub-base degradation prepared
by AACRA (sub-base: the layer of selected material placed on the sub grade.)
Challenges observed from AACRA

- Failure to remove the excavated soil in the site and imposes problem to the work and
finally to the quality of the Cobblestone and to the quality of the area.
- absence of enough spaces for curb stone and quality sub base work
- Failure to follow up and control the quality of Cobblestones whether is suitable or not.
Challenges observed from MSEs

- low capacity and performing low in construction leads to poor work man ship and
degradation
- Involving non trained workers in the paving and chiseling of the Cobblestone roads
finally leads to workmanship problem.
- lack of experiences of the enterprises
AAEPA is also a stake holder in selecting the quarry sites and quality of them. The organization
prepare manual about environmental protection and Ecological conservation, monitors the
implementation as well but it failed to do so.
There are around 12 stake holders for Cobblestone roads construction but their performance is
low and poor integration. Generally lack of integration, corruption, lack of follow up and
monitoring, etc. are some of the challenges.

90
 4.6 Opportunities for Urban Green Infrastructures in the study areas

According to reports of (MoUDC, 2008) there are different manuals prepared at different time
that improve the sustainable development of green infrastructures in urban areas. Based on
officials‟ interview from AASBPDA, different urban green infrastructures proclamations,
standard, strategies, policies, and principles that enhance the management and development of
UGIs are some of the opportunities. This includes Ethiopian national green infrastructure
standard, Urban Greenery strategy prepared by MUDHC in November, 2005.

In this study species selection is one of the challenges for recreational parks and street trees so
that according to AASBPDA officials, the manual of urban nursery management practices: seed
collection and handling propagation and seedling production (MoUDC, 2015) is an opportunity
in producing the needed species. On the other hand the manuals about Development of
amenity green space in residential areas, institutions, Religious Compounds Green
Infrastructure Development (MoUDC, 2015) forces the private developers and the institutions to
provide sufficient Urban Green Infrastructures. Thus it increases the availability of urban green
infrastructures in inner sub cities.

Cemetery Management team leader in AASBPDA stated the manual for cemetery management
,2015 is an opportunity to increase the green coverage in inner cities since the manual
articulates any cemetery in the inner sub cities should be covered by green. So that it increases
the green coverage in inner cities as well as increase connectivity of them.

The establishment of planning commission recently that incorporates many offices including
AAUPI, sub city planning offices, office of Development Plan Preparation with 3 primary role of
preparing standard, implementation follow up and documentation is an opportunity for UGI.
Previously these three tasks have been done by 3 different organizations that make the work
unmanageable. Environmental team manager (Bisrat) of AADPO testified that even they have
no any clear documentation that has data on green spaces coverage and implementation level
of them. however, The official hopefully added that ,being the establishment of planning
commission as opportunity, it resolve Lack of follow up and monitoring, lack of integration and
collaboration, and poor management of UGI challenges that are revealed in the study.

Similarly river side development and climate change protection office establishment aided with
manual of Rivers and river buffer green infrastructure design standard implementation is

91
another opportunity for green space coverage in inner sub cites. Since the standard articulates
rivers should be buffered with 15 m in developed areas and up to 50 m in newly developed and
renewal areas so that the offices focus on river side development that was not given attention
before. Being the river banks are encroached by the settlements and become waste dumping
site in inner city of AA, it increases the availability, connectivity, distribution of green spaces in
inner sub cities through buffering and incorporating other green infrastructures.

Based on the (W/ro) Tsegreda official from AAEPA, climate change is global issue that
dominantly arises from inner cities and other manufacturing areas. But it could be mitigated or
decreased by urban green infrastructures establishment. Recently developed countries and
NGOs invest inner cities of developing countries for environmental sustainability through
enhancing and preservation of urban green infrastructures. NGOs are the opportunities of urban
green infrastructure by funding in inner city rehabilitation and other projects like CLUVA.

A climate resilient urban green development strategy, 2016, prepared by MoUDHC is an

opportunity of UGIs in inner sub cities since the development should be climate resilient
achieved with urban green infrastructures so that coverage would be increased. Besides this,
the involvement of private developers to urban green infrastructures particularly to urban
recreational parks a, Street sides and medians trees for the sake of them indirectly enhance the
development and quality of the UGIs. Increment of professionals aided with Increment of public
need of quality open spaces, pure air, and other recreational parks day to day could be an
opportunities to green infrastructures management and development.

Opportunities for Recreational parks, street median and side trees in inner Sub Cities of
Addis Ababa

Development plan of 2017 is the main opportunity for urban green infrastructures since it
allocates 40%, 30%, and 30% of mixed use, roads, and greens respectively.

According to structural plan 2017 reports, all developments are directed towards developing a
more self-sustaining mechanism for constructing and maintaining as for keeping the
environment clean. So that at the time of development green infrastructures in inner sub cities
get increment in coverage and accessibility while the developer do self –sustaining
mechanisms.

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On the other hand Environmental team manager (Ato Bisrat) of AADPPO, discusses unlike the
pervious development plans, the development plan of 2017 could be updated within 2 years that
makes UGI easily monitored and provided when it lacks as well it give solution that has
implementation problems like land use change .

Development plan 2017 works special LDPs for in inner city areas such as main city center
which is an opportunities for solving the green infrastructures that are faced by technical
challenges. The above mentioned official stated that pedestrian oriented road development in
inner city is another opportunity for urban green infrastructure development since 60 % of the
roads part should be pedestrian.so that following the pedestrian green facilities including shade
area, benches with green area, etc. would be provided, thus enhances UGI indirectly. According
to the development plan Environmental team manager (Ato Bisrat) the plan has at most
vehicular free nodes and streets at least public transport only in inner city areas of Addis Ababa
which could be solution for challenges of trees and green spaces damage by vehicles, etc.

Being most inner sub cities are an intervention for urban renewal, LDPs, and upgrading
projects, they are an opportunities for the development and sustainability of urban green
infrastructures because they incorporate UGIs. For example the river buffer standard for newly
developed area is 50 m.

Open space Development and protection Design Standard June, 2015 prepared by Addis
Ababa development plan project office which basically states about:“Any local development
plan shall state, as may be appropriate: …green areas, open spaces, water bodies, and places
that might be utilized for common benefits.”

Opportunities for Cobblestone Roads in inner Sub Cities of Addis Ababa

According to Habtu (CPCO manager) Cobblestone roads need labor force expect low power
machines and in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa Cheap labor force is an opportunity. Increment
of public awareness and willingness to pay for Cobblestone roads and sense of owner ship for
the development is other opportunity .Many access roads and local roads are in inner sub cities
of Addis Ababa are undeveloped. They are gravel, earth, and large stone developed by care
Ethiopia, thus it is easy to excavate and to change. Attention of government to Cobblestone
development projects and generations of professionals from different vocational schools are
other opportunities for the development Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa.

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 Table: 4. 13 summary of major research findings

Challenges of Recreational parks

Unfair distribution and inaccessibility
75 % of park users in Tekele Hymanot go/take greater than 2000m/>15 min to get the nearest Woreda park in
city.80 % of the park users in Africa park said that they go/take more than 2000 m/15 m to get woreda park
and 55 % of them go more than 4000m.
Low services delivery and low satisfaction of users
Parks are designed and developed to give maximum satisfaction of residents by giving recreational ecosystem
services but based on the questionaries‟ those parks that are found in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa are not
giving the right services efficiently and effectively.
Non inclusive recreational parks for elderly and children
recreational parks especially sub city parks in Inner Sub Cities of Addis Ababa does not consider age
categories such as child, teenage, adults and elders.
Crime problem
Theft, Murder, Assault, and Robbery are some crime challenges to recreational parks in inner sub cites of
Addis Ababa especially in TekeleHymanot and Gola Park.
Illegal activities in the park
According to the interview made and the respondents Smoking, chewing chat, removing urine in restricted
Social

spaces of the park and etc are some of the illegal activities in the park.
Land use change and incompatibility
Due to lack of monitoring and follow up of private developers; some recreational parks in inner sub cities of
Addis Ababa change the function of the park to another. Based on the officials interview and observation in
Tekele hyamnot park, there are activities and services that are not allowed in the park which partially changed
the park to commercial hotel.
Recreational parks in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa have problems of compatibility. Example Tekel Hymanot
Park has compatibility problem because Tekele Hymanot church is located near to the park and causes sound
pollution to the people especially in holidays.

Security issues
(MoUDH, 2015)do not proclaim anything about security issues however interviewed officials from AASBPDA
,the mangers of Africa park and significant number of respondents in stated that example public area and
highly secured offices should be separated unless absolute democracy is prevailed in Ethiopia. For instance
Africa Park is near the palace, the foreign affairs offices and near economic commission of Africa. As a result
the park will be less attractive to the users.

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 Low considerations of urban poor
Based on the results drawn from respondents of Africa and Tekele Hymanot Park 67.5 % of respondents in
Africa Park and 60 % in Tekele Hyamont they testified that entry price of the parks could not affordable. As
they also testified the costly entrance fee makes them in order not to come to the park frequently.
High land value
A Land resource is one of the main challenges of recreational parks in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa. As the
land value in inner city of Addis Ababa is high; so opens spaces and green areas are changed and sold to
investors for high rise buildings. Recreational parks are not enough and wide due to high land value in inner
sub cities of Addis Ababa.
Economical

Low budget
Lack of enough budgets for urban green infrastructures is another finical problem which influences the
services and functionality of recreational parks directly or indirectly.
Absence of participatory planning Approach
90 % of the interviewers are answered as they do not have participatory planning and more than 85 % of the
respondents reveal that they have not participated in park development.
Poor management
Based on the interview made to officials on whether they have clear hierarchy and responsibility of
recreational management 75 % responded as they have no clear hierarchy recreational parks management.
Lack of follow up and monitoring
Poor capacity building

There no proper follow up and monitoring to take measures to illegal activities in recreational parks.
Low performance of private developers
There different facilities that are restricted from the park like drinks, facilities for gambling like kerbola and pool
which shows that there is low monitoring.
Lack of integration and collaboration of different organizations
Organizations have their own roles to perform based on the procedures and standards but they are not tracing
each other.
Human resources
Human resources are one of the challenges to recreational parks. Abuse of power and corruption are issues
that affect institutional capacity in the area. Based on the manager of SBPDA (W/O Almaz) implementing
bodies of UGI, contractors, landscape designers and planners have lacks experience and knowledge on
recreational park management and development are challenges.

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 Failure in Plant diversity and plant selection
Based on observation and interview of officials in all inner Sub Cities Park there is no fruit trees to support
food security expect the presence of two avocado trees in Tekele Hymanot Park. A type of plant species
(ornamental trees, fruit trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and grasses) selection problems is also indicated as
another challenge in old and newly developed recreational parks.
Poor material selection for fences and poor design
Some parks like Tekele Hymanot Park have dead and closed fences at all parts except the entrance side.
construction material of the fences are iron bar and it is not locally available, environmental friendly in both
parks
Absence necessary facilities
Technical

parking, benches, elder‟s playground, animals, children paly grounds, water access, Varity of food services,
Restrooms and Athletic Fields are some of the facilities that are mentioned by the officials and respondents of
the questionnaires‟.
In the Africa and Tekel Hymanot Parks sound pollution is one of the challenges for park users that are
caused by vehicular and people‟s noisy. 60% of respondents attested that they have problems of noise in
Environmental

the park. 95 % of park users in Africa Park complain about the vehicular noise emitted and majority of

respondents on the other hand (55%) in Tekel Hymanot Park complain about the bad smell they feel.
Poor waste management and aesthetically unpleasant

Lack of maintenance and deterioration of facilities

Recreational parks are not maintained timely which results accidents to the users and environmental
degradation which is due to low attention to parks and poor management as stated in institutional challenges
of recreational parks.
Lack of comfort and convenience
Play grounds have no protective covers, trails, water lines and access roads are not convenient and not feel
comfortable. In addition some picnic areas in inner sub cities park are not comfort able due to deterioration, in
combatable land use and poor design.
Physical

size of parks
In inner sub cities all sub city level area of recreational parks are below the standard as shown in table 4.7

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Street sides and medians trees Challenges
Damage and degradation
Based on the observation and interview results of different organizations street trees are damaged due to
many causes like vehicular, illegal activities of people arise from lack of awareness and etc
Land use change of medians
Street medians are intended to give environmental and other ecosystem services but in study in inner sub
Physical

cities of Addis Ababa some street medians are changed to another function like parking and marketing due
to lack of strong institutional set up and poor management.
Street vendors and Street persons
Interviewed officials added the problems of street persons since they live there the whole night and day so
that they damage the plants deliberately for the purpose of sleeping. Street vendors are other challenges for
street side trees especially at the initial stage of the plantation and for those which have no protecting cover.

Low diversity of street trees

Based on the observation plants that are planted in street medians and sides are low and sometimes
monotonous; in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa. This means street trees are not in the right plant
composition that leads poor streetscape which finally reduces the value of the area.
Inappropriate plant selections
Based officials interview from officials in Addis Ababa trees are not planted according to the standard due to
lack of integration and experienced professionals. When selecting trees for placement on streets, we should
consider the exact use of the plants (shade, fruit, seasonal color, beautification, wind break, or screen etc).
In appropriate Median tree: shape and Trunk diameter
Shape: In streets of the study areas ,trees are not planted by such guide lines because spreading and up
planning and design

right plants exist in the places where columnar plants are more important(suitable) and vice versa.
Trunk diameter: There are plants of which trunk diameters are greater than 30cm in median strips less than
2m wide which final leads infrastructure damage, traffic accident, aesthetically unpleasant and etc.
Height of shrubs in the medians
There are street side plants which have no 2m vertical clearance from the pedestrian walk ways. This is
highly depends on the species selected for placement especially in street sides which mobility is high since it
does not bring comfort.
in appropriate location of trees
Street side trees are planted wrongly at the center of the side walk or at the corner of the side walk without
considering the dimensions of the sidewalks in the study areas.
in appropriate Street trees clearance
Due to lack of integration between Addis Ababa traffic monitoring and regulation, Addis Ababa sanitation
beautification park development agency and other related organizations traffic signs are located near street
trees against the standard in the inner sub cities of Addis Ababa street.

97
 Become waste dumping site
Environ
mental

As stated in the institutional and, management challenges of recreational parks, lack of monitoring and
follow up streets plants leads people to dump their wastes in the Street sides and medians trees.
Street sides and medians trees primarily administrated by the Addis Ababa sanitation beautification and
Institutional

manageme

park development agency like recreational parks of Addis Ababa. So that Street sides and medians trees
share all Institutional and management challenges of recreational parks since they have similar internal and
and

nt

external relationships with other organizations.

Cobblestone roads
Degradation
Based on the interview made to different officials traffic load of the area is not considered. In those areas that traffic
load and high mobility, Cobblestone roads are degraded, cracked and water clogged. It is due to many causes like
poor work man ship, poor sub base work, and suitability problems and etc.
Water clogging of void spaces
Physical

in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa; Due to many causes like Technical (absence of suitability analysis: - soil type,
Traffic load, and slope) and management challenges Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa water
clogging is happened.
uncomfortable to residents
Based on the interview of different officials Cobblestone roads are not comfortable in areas where many people exist
and use the road as playing area, street activities, and others. As stated by 52 % of respondents in the study areas,
Cobblestone roads have more comfort relatively with the gravel and mud roads in the area.
Pollution
In inner sub cities of Addis Ababa Cobblestone roads have no site landscaping benefits as they are polluted by liquid
Environmental

waste and solid waste dumping which could stay many times at the surface of the cobble. So that it causes bad smell
to the residents of the area; as revealed by the respondents. It is caused by lack of follow up and monitoring as it is
discussed in institutional and management challenges of the Cobblestone roads.
dust is mentioned third order challenges; 12.7 % of respondents face challenges of dust and it is a problem especially
at dry season.it comes from below sub base and from the surfaces that lack proper construction, proper design
,absence of sweeping and etc.

Some of the technical challenges that are mentioned by the official‟s low quality of Cobblestone, poor work man ship,
Technic

poor sub base construction and etc. As stated by the Cobblestone project coordination office manager; quality
problem is one of the challenges of the Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa.
al

98
 Generally lack of integration, corruption, lack of follow up and monitoring and etc. are some of the challenges.
Cobblestone project coordination office
poor quality of trainings
- low willingness to the questions of the contractors
- time delay for training and for joining the work leads to sub-base degradation prepared by AACRA
Challenges observed from AACRA
- Failure to remove the excavated soil in the site and imposes problem to the work and finally to the quality of
Institutional and management

the Cobblestone and to the quality of the area.

- absence of enough spaces for curb stone and quality sub base work
- Failure to follow up and control the quality of Cobblestones whether is suitable or not.
Challenges observed from MSEs
- low capacity and performing low in construction leads to poor work man ship and degradation
- Involving non trained workers in the paving and chiseling of the Cobblestone roads finally leads to
workmanship problem.
- lack of experiences of the enterprises
Based on officials‟ Interview from AASBPDA, urban green infrastructures proclamations, standard, strategies,
policies, and principles that are prepared by MoUDC are some of the opportunities.
Development of amenity green space in residential areas, Religious Compounds Green Infrastructure
Development (MoUDC, 2015) forces the private developers and the institutions to provide sufficient Urban Green
Infrastructures.
The establishment of planning commission recently that incorporates many offices including AAUPI, sub city
planning offices, office of Development Plan Preparation with the primarily role of preparing standard
,implementation follow up and documentation is an opportunity for UGI .
opportunities for urban green Infrastructures

Similarly river side development and climate change protection office establishment aided with manual of Rivers
and river buffer green infrastructure design standard implementation is another opportunity for green space
coverage in inner sub cites.
Besides this the involvement of private developers to urban green infrastructures particularly to urban recreational
parks a, Street sides and medians trees for the sake of them indirectly enhance the development and quality of
the UGIs.
Increment of professionals aided with Increment of public need of quality open spaces, pure air, and other
recreational parks day to day could be an opportunities to green infrastructures management and development.
Cheap labor force, undeveloped access roads local roads, Increment of public awareness and willingness to pay
for Cobblestone roads and sense of owner ship for the development are other opportunities mentioned for UGI
inner sub cities particularly Cobblestone roads. Generally the government attention towards UGIs provides
different strategies, principles, manuals, etc are opportunities.

99
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 conclusion

Green infrastructures are very critical to bring sustainable development by maintaining and
regulating the environment(Randolph, 2004).However increased urbanization and development
have placed urban green infrastructures under extreme pressure, while unplanned urban growth
has resulted in the loss of urban landscape and ecosystems (Wright et al. 2002).

In Lideta and Kirkos Sub Cities, the urban green infrastructure coverage in the development
plan of 2017 is about 13% which is low comparing to the AADPPO standard claiming 30% of the
city should be planned for urban green spaces. The study areas have problems of distributions,
connectivity, and accessibility regarding UGI. The available urban green spaces are
concentrated at one part of the sub cities or fragmented which makes them inaccessible. For
example recreational parks are concentrated at north east part of the study areas which shows
their distribution challenges.

As the study indicates, Recreational parks in the inner sub cities of Addis Ababa have
challenges of inadequate investment in landscaping and other community facilities which could
be categorized as social , economic, environmental, technical, capacity building and physical
challenges. Limited and inadequate public spaces and recreation facilities and Service delivery
problems are mentioned as the social challenges of recreational parks. The study also reveals
different social challenges such as unfair distribution and inaccessibility of recreational parks,
Non inclusive recreational parks for elderly and children, crime, forbidden activities in the park,
Land use change, Low services delivery, and low satisfaction of users, Security issues, and land
use incompatibility.

Recreational parks in the study areas located at one part of the sub cities and people go more
than 4000m and 15 min. Beyond the low budget, Low considerations of urban poor and High
Land value are another economic challenges inner sub cities park.

Absence of participatory planning Approach, Poor management, Lack of follow up and

monitoring, Lack of integration and collaboration of different organizations, and human
resources are other challenges. On the other hand, Failure in Plant diversity and plant selection
of recreational parks, poor design, and Poor material selection for fences that meets the
standard are also another challenges. Sound Pollution caused by people and vehicles, air

100
pollution are inner sub cities park challenges due to compatibility problem, poor management,
lack of public awareness , poor waste management in the parks and aesthetically unpleasant
areas. In addition, urban parks face Physical challenges; such as Lack of maintenance and
deterioration which is caused by poor management and low attention to parks; and Lack of
Comfort and Convenience caused by poor design and lack of maintenance. Street sides and
median‟s trees faced physical challenges such as damage of trees, land use change, human
intervention like street vendors and street persons.

Other pertaining challenges of street sides and medians trees are planning and design
challenges including Low diversity of street trees, Inappropriate plant selections, in appropriate
location of trees, in appropriate location and spacing, in appropriate color of fences to the
surrounding buildings.

In the study areas where high mobility and high traffic loads; degradation and water clogging in
cobble stone roads are challenges which are caused by poor suitability analysis and poor
management. Less comfortable for children playing and Air pollution that are caused by poor
management, lack of monitoring and follow up, low quality of Cobblestone , poor work man ship,
poor sub base construction, lack of public awareness, lack of integration of different
organizations are another challenges for the residents being the road is cobble.

Generally, In Inner sub Cities of Addis Ababa, urban green infrastructures faced different
challenges including social, physical, economic, environmental, and institutional and
management challenges. However; They have opportunities that enhance the management and
development of them which include: Different urban green infrastructures proclamations,
standard, strategies, policies, and principles; Climate resilient urban green development
strategies, the 10th Development plan of Addis Ababa, increment of professionals,
establishment of planning commission, establishment of river side development and climate
change protection office, LDPs, urban renewals and upgrading projects, involvement of private
developers including NGOs public awareness about green spaces are some of the opportunities
that could be utilized properly in the future.

101
 5.2 Recommendations

The results of this study will help to address the practical problems of the whole Addis Ababa
urban green infrastructures especially in inner sub cites so that considerations must be given to
foster sustainable development of them. Based on the above findings reached after the detail
analysis, recommendations are forwarded as follows:-

The recommendations are basically forwarded to foster sustainable development of urban green
infrastructures particularly recreational parks ,Street sides and medians trees , and Cobblestone
roads in the inner sub cites of Addis Ababa.

 AASBPDA should add facilities that are lacked and upgrade or renew facilities that are not
giving the right services effectively and efficiently in Recreational parks of inner sub cities of
Addis Ababa by financing enough budgets. This includes children playgrounds, elders play
facilities, parking, water access, sport facilities, and benches.
 Parks should be redesigned in a way that considers equal access for all age groups and
government should subside private developers or make park entry fee free.
 It is recommended that children play grounds in the parks should have protective covers and
areas should be safe and make convenient to children‟s by redesigning with safe and local
materials.
 Theft, Murder, Assault, and Robbery are some crime challenges to recreational parks in
inner sub cites of Addis Ababa so that that officials in the park should provide information
for park users regarding forbidden activities and crime records for safety measures.
 Lack of public awareness about green infrastructures including recreational parks, Street
sides and medians trees, and Cobblestone roads is one of the basic challenges in inner sub
cities of Addis Ababa. It is recommended to change thinking skill of people about urban
green infrastructures with curriculum about urban green infrastructures starting from high
school, promotion with social media like radio, television, etc.
 It is recommended that government should regularly follow and monitor urban green
infrastructures in inner sub cities of Addis Ababa whether they are giving the intended
purpose or not, whether they are damaged or not, and etc .example recreational parks
should be monitored regularly to control change of parks to commercial. It is highly
recommended that government should take measures on private developers that do not
give the right services.

102
 Responsible organizations about urban green infrastructures need to build strong
institutional capacity, through trainings, research, workshops, seminars, etc.as well they
should integrate and collaborate strongly.
 There are no fruit trees to support food security in the studied parks except the presence of
two avocado trees in Tekele Hymanot Park. So that It is recommended, according to the
standard of (MoUDH, 2015), 50 % plants in recreational parks should be fruits to support
food security. Similarly in Street sides and medians, variety of plant species should be
planted to increase the landscape value rather than being monotonous.
 There should be proper plant species selection for street medians and street sides that do
not damage infrastructures, which consider pedestrian safety, sun orientation, trunk
diameter, height of the plants, shape of the canopy and etc.
 It is recommended that Street trees should be planted with the standard clearance from
traffic signs, Utility Boxes, Utility Poles, fences, and buildings. They should get wide spaces
with the right protective cover to grow the root.
 Noise reduction mechanisms should be planned and designed in those parks that have
noise problems and newly proposed recreational parks should consider suitability and
compatibility regarding noise pollution and other land uses.
 AASBPDA and Solid Waste Recycling and Disposal Project Office should integrate and
collaborate strongly to combat the air pollution challenges and unpleasant areas.
 It is recommended that Cobblestone roads should not developed in inner sub cities of Addis
Ababa especially in areas where there is dense settlement and high traffic loads.
 AACRA should repair the damaged and water clogged roads regularly. As well, they should
proper suitability analysis of soil type, slope, and traffic load of Cobblestone roads before
development.
 It is recommended that government should give awareness creation programs to the
community about the Cobblestone roads in order not dump their wastes to the roads.
 MSEs which are responsible for paving should do proper follow up and monitoring in the
quality of sub base work that are done by AACRA. And AACRA should properly check and
monitor the quality of the Cobblestone from the producers in order to mitigate the problem of
dust, water clogging and degradation.
 Since excavated soils are causes of air pollution, Soils that are excavated for the
Cobblestone roads or other purpose should be removed timely by the organization who
excavate.

103
 It is recommended that in inner cities urban green infrastructures should be given more
privileges in size than outer due to concentration of activities so that government should
utilize effectively the advantage of renewals and upgrading especially for recreational parks
and Street sides and medians trees.
 Government should prepare awareness creation about UGIs for street persons and street
vendors and take measures for those who do illegal activities.
 It is recommended that concerned organizations must evaluate the implementation of green
infrastructure strategies, manuals, proclamations, and principles.

Finally other researches should be done regarding urban green infrastructures in inner sub
cities of Addis Ababa that could come up with real and practical solutions like the researcher
wants to study further on development of monitoring system for street trees that could
relieve the stress of them.

104
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Annex I: Check lists, Questionnaires and Interviews

Check lists for observation of recreational parks

1. physical challenges they face such as compatibility, damages, suitability

2. Park functions: is land use changed or not?
3. pavements: comfort and convenience
4. fences and walls: durability, availability ,environmental friendly, safety and comfort
5. Facilities: are they functional and in safe conditions all time? availability of necessary
facilities
6. diversity of plant species (ornamental trees, fruit trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses)

Check lists for street trees and street medians

1. street trees clearance from Utility Boxes, Sewers, Utility Poles, buildings , fences
2. median tree: shape ( columnar) ,upright, trunk diameters
3. height of shrubs in the median
4. human intervention
5. land use change of median
6. location consideration and spacing

Check lists for Cobblestone roads

1. Comfort
2. Physical status
3. pollution

X
Questionaries’ for residents of recreational parks

This questionnaire is prepared by Alemaw Kefale, Addis Ababa University, Master of

Environmental Planning and Landscape Design Graduate candidate student, who is currently
working on challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Inner Sub Cities of
Addis Ababa: the case of LIDETA Sub City and KIRKOS Sub City. This questionnaire is
prepared for data gathering purpose for Research regarding recreational parks and I ask you
politely to help me in filling the questioner.

Dear respondents, first of all I want to thank you in advance for your willingness to fill this
questioner paper; In filling the questioner try to be very honest, free and open; because your
responses to each and every question on the questioner paper will have high contribution for
the validity and reality of the paper as a whole.

1. where is your place of Residence--- sub city --------------- Woreda --------------- -Occupation --
--------------------------------------- Age ------------------------

2 what benefits and interesting things you get from the park?....................................................

3 have you participated in improving and investing in parks and recreation areas?

A, Yes b, No

4If yes who mobilizes you and what were your roles?..............................................................

5, How far do you from your home to the nearest park?

A 1000 m b 2000- 3000m C 3000- 4000 m D > 4000m

6, How many minutes you spent to reach at the nearest park on foot?

A <15 minutes, B 15-20 minutes, C >20 minutes

7, by what kind of transportation mode do you come?

A, walking B, bus C, Taxi D, Automobile E, Other

8 are you comfortable with the entrance fees. A yes B no

9, do you get children‟s playground equipment‟s satisfactory and safe? A yes B no

If No what do you miss? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

XI
10, on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is “not at all satisfied,” and 5 is “extremely satisfied, “how
satisfied are you with the number and distribution of sub city parks?

A, 0 B, 1 C, 2 D, 3 E, 4 F, 5

11, on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is “not at all satisfied,” and 5 is “extremely satisfied, “how
satisfied are you with the accessibility of sub city parks?

A, 0 B, 1 C, 2 D, 3 E, 4 F, 5

12, on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is “not at all satisfied”, and 5 is “extremely satisfied, “how
satisfied are you with the quality of sub city parks?

A, 0 B, 1 C, 2 D, 3 E, 4 F, 5

13 Which of the following aspects of existing City Park are most in need of improvement or
attention?

A. Water or beach access B. Play equipment C. Trails D. Restrooms

E. Picnic Facilities F. Parking G. Athletic Fields H. Maintenance I. Other

14, which type of activities and facilities do you want to add? ----------------------------------------------

15 which external factors disturb you while you are recreating?

A, noise pollution from people and traffic B, dust pollution C, smell from poor waste
management D, other‟s please specify--------------------------------

16, have you observed illegal activities in the recreational park? A, yes B, No

if yes, please mention them-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17, Are there any reasons that discourage you to recreate in this park? ---------------------------------

18, on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is “not at all satisfied” and 5 is “extremely satisfied, generally
how satisfied with the park?

A, 0 B, 1 C, 2 D, 3 E, 4 F, 5

XII
Questionaries’ about Cobblestone Roads for residents

This questionnaire is prepared by Alemaw Kefale, Addis Ababa University, Master of

Environmental Planning and Landscape Design Graduate candidate student, who is currently
working on challenges and opportunities of urban green infrastructures in Inner Sub Cities of
Addis Ababa: the case of LIDETA Sub City and KIRKOS Sub City. This questionnaire is
prepared for data gathering purpose for Research regarding Cobblestone Roads and I ask you
politely to help me in filling the questioner.

Dear respondents, first of all I want to thank you in advance for your willingness to fill this
questioner paper; In filling the questioner try to be very honest, free and open; because your
responses to each and every question on the questioner paper will have high contribution for
the validity and reality of the paper as a whole.

1. Where is your place of Residence--- sub city --------------- Woreda --------------------?

2. How far is your house from the Cobblestone road?

A, 5m B, 10m C, 15 m D, >15m
3. What benefits you get from the Cobblestone streets environmentally, economically, socially?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Are you comfortable with the Cobblestone roads in your area for? If no why?
Walking A, yes B, No If no why? -------------------------------------------
Playing children A, yes B, No If no why? ------------------------------------------
Street activities A, yes B, No If no why? ------------------------------------------
5. What kind of problems do you observe in the Cobblestone roads of your area?

A, clogging C, dusty

B, pollution D, cracking E, others------------------------

6. When do you observe many problems of Cobblestone roads?

A, winter (dry) season B, summer season
7. Do residents dump their wastes to the Cobblestone roads? A ,yes B ,No
If yes what kind of measures you and government take? -----------------------------------------------
8. Is there any traffic load on the Cobblestone roads?
A yes B no
If yes what impacts imposed by the traffic load? -----------------------------------------------------

XIII
9. Have you observed any road maintenance? A, yes B, No if yes how many
times per year? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. How many times did the Cobblestone streets; are swept per week? --------------------------------
11. During the construction of the road in the Area, was there a good corporate social
responsibility?
A, Yes B, No
12. What was the modality? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Do you think Cobblestone roads are recommended in your area? A, Yes B, No
If No why -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. On a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 is “not at all satisfied” and 5 is “extremely satisfied,” I am
happy with the quality of Cobblestone roads in my Area.
A, 0 B, 1 C, 2 D, 3 E, 4 F, 5
15. Generally what do you recommend for improving the quality and sustainability of
Cobblestone roads in inner city areas? ----------------------------------------------------------------------

XIV
Interviews for officials

For recreational parks

1. Name of the organization------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Department----------------------------------------------Name of the official------------------------------
2. What are your vision, goals, and programs towards recreational parks? ---------------------------
3. What types of opportunities do urban green infrastructures have particularly recreational
parks in inner cities? Please justify in your professional perspective ---------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Do you have hierarchy of recreational park management? A, yes B, No
If yes, up to what level---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Who primarily manages the park? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Do you have participatory planning approach? A, yes B, No
If No why -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Do you have collaboration and integration with other organizations to manage the
recreational parks? A, yes B, No
If yes what are they? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. What are your roles towards recreational parks? ----------------------------------------------------------
9. Do you do timely maintenance of recreational parks if you are concerned?
A, yes B, No If No why? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Do you do proper follow up and monitoring to take measures to illegal activities in
recreational parks? A, yes B, No If No why ----------------------------------------------------
11. Do you think supply and demand of recreational parks are equal? -----------------------------------
12. Do you think in inner cities recreational parks should be given more privileges in size than
outer? A, yes B, No please justify-----------------------------------------------------------------
13. Are there any privileges that are done and proposed regarding recreational parks before?
A, yes B, No please justify--------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. What kind of challenges do UGIs have and face regarding recreational parks in inner sub
cities? A, financial B, human resources C land resources D others please specify-------------
15. What are the best strategies or options that you use in your organization to bring sustainable
development of the recreational parks in inner part of the AA particularly in the sub city? -----
16. Generally what do you recommend for improving the quality and sustainability recreational
parks in inner sub cities of AA? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

XV
 For Street sides and medians trees

1. Name of the organization------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Department---------------------------------------------------Name of the official------------------------------

2. What are your vision, goals, and programs towards Street sides and medians trees? -----------

3. What types of opportunities do urban green infrastructures have particularly Street sides and
medians trees in inner cities? Please justify in your professional perspective --------------------------

4. Do you have hierarchy of Street sides and medians trees management? A, yes B, No

If yes, up to what level---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Who primarily manages Street sides and medians trees? -----------------------------------------------

6. Do you have participatory planning approach? A, yes B, No If No why? ----

7. Do you have collaboration and integration with other organizations to manage Street sides
and medians trees? A, yes B, No If yes what are they? ---------------------------------------------

8. What are your roles towards the Street sides and medians trees? ------------------------------------

9. Do you do timely maintenance of the Street sides and medians trees if you are concerned?

A, yes B, No If No why? ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------

10. Do you do proper follow up and monitoring to take measures to illegal activities in Street
sides and medians trees? A, yes B, No If No why ------------------------------------------------

11. Do you think in inner cities Street sides and medians trees should be given more privileges
in size than outer? A, yes B, No please justify------------------------------------------------------

12. Do you think Street sides and medians trees are planted in standards regarding proper
spacing and suitable plants? A, yes B, No please justify----------------------------------------

13. What kind of challenges do you have regarding Street sides and medians trees in inner sub
cities? A, finical B, pollution C, lack of follow up D, others please specify-----------------------------
14. what are the best strategies or options that you use in your organization to bring sustainable
development of the Street sides and medians trees in inner part of the AA particularly in the sub
city?-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15. Generally what do you recommend for improving the quality and sustainability of Street
sides and medians trees in inner sub cities of AA? ------------------------------------------------------------

XVI
 For Cobblestone Roads

1. Name of the organization------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Department---------------------------------------------------Name of the official------------------------------

2. What are your vision, goals, and programs towards Cobblestone roads in Inner Sub Cities of
Addis Ababa? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3, what types of opportunities do urban green infrastructures have particularly Street sides and
medians trees in inner cities? Please justify in your professional perspective? ------------------------

4. Do you have hierarchy of Cobblestone roads management? A, yes B, No If yes, up

to what level---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Who primarily manages Cobblestone roads? ----------------------------------------------------------------

6. Do you have participatory planning approach? A, yes B, No If No why ------------------

7. Do you have collaboration and integration with other organizations to manage Cobblestone
roads? A, yes B, No If yes what are they? --------------------------------------------------------------

8. What are your roles towards Cobblestone roads? ----------------------------------------------------------

9. Do you do timely maintenance of Cobblestone roads if you are concerned? A, yes B,

No If No why? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Do you do proper follow up and monitoring to take measures to illegal activities in the
Cobblestone roads like dumping wastes, using as garage? A, yes B, No If No why? ----

11. What types of challenges do urban green infrastructures face and have, particularly the
Cobblestone roads in inner cities? Please justify in your professional perspective. -------------------

12 do you think Cobblestone roads are recommended in Inner Sub Cities of Addis Ababa.?

A, yes B, No please justify--------------------------------------------------------------------------

13 what parameters do you follow when the roads are designed and constructed? ------------------

14 what are the best strategies or options that you use in your organization to bring sustainable
development of the Cobblestone roads in inner part of the AA particularly in the sub city? ---------

15 Generally what do you recommend for improving the quality and sustainability of
Cobblestone roads in inner sub cities of AA? -------------------------------------------------------------------

XVII
 Annex II: supporting tables
Table 14 some urban green spaces in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities in 2008 E.C
Source: Addis Ababa sanitation, beautification, and park development agency

Types of the green spaces

Round about Street medians Street sides Street islands Recreational parks
undeveloped

undeveloped

undeveloped
Undevelope

Undevelope
developed

developed

developed

developed

developed

developed
Under
d

d
no k/m N k/m no k/m no k/m no k/m no k/m k/m no k/m k/m k/m no k/m
Total

Total

Total

Total
Total

o
city
sub

no

No

No
Kirkos 11 8 353 3 3100 23 4 102 19 29265 30 28 18135 2 2599 6 3 355 3 257 3 1 45707 1 1679 -
6 52 5 00
Lideta 5 4 419 1 2828 9 210 8 7 6900 1 3000 2 1 500 1 600 6 43799 2 1592 1 7756
6 20
Total 16 12 477 4 5928 32 312 38 25035 3 5599 8 4 855 4 315 9 3 89506 3 1694 -
53660 32 72 7 92
Computed by: the researcher April 2017

Table 15: Availability and Distribution of recreational parks in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities in 2008 E.C

Sub city Park name Area in m2 Development status

Lideta T/Haymanot 4371 Developed and starts work
Gola park 9625 >>
Ethio Cuba 29803 >>
LIdeta Renewal 12192 >>
Kirkos Africa park 45707 >>
ECA park 167900 Not developed
Olympia park 647 developed

XVIII
 Table: 16 Availability of Roundabouts in the study areas

Area in m

Developer
Sub city

Status of
woreda

places

dev.t
2
Kirkos 01 Around Urael 350 Romel Trading undeveloped
church
01 Around Babis brige 250 Enat Bank sc
01 Around Babis brige 400
02 Wollo sefer 150 Government
03 Around wengelawit 300
05 Around kera 1582 Government dev.
06 Mexico round about 2400
07 Felweha area 200 Government
07 National area 654 Gov. and glories undeveloped
09 denbel 150 Government undeveloped
08 Sidestigna 200 Government undeveloped
polisstation
Total 6636 3100 3556
LIdeta 02 Torehyloch round 1962 DH geda undeveloped
about
03 Koka mazoriya 314 Kefata arat School
09 National bank area 400 Ethiopian teachers undeveloped
association
10 Africa union 1520 Midroc Ethiopia undeveloped
Total 7024 2828 4196
Source: Addis Ababa sanitation, beautification, and park development agency
Computed by: the researcher April 2017

Table 17 : Availability and Distribution of street islands in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities

Sub city Were Name of the place Area Develop Status of development
da in m2 er name
Kirkos 07 Tele bar area 2075 ------ Undeveloped
07 Legehar area 350 ------ >>
07 Mesqel square 150 ------ >>
08 Kasnchis area 148 GOV. developed
08 Yordanos hotel area 150 HUSIEN >>
08 Gerbraiel chafe 57 GOV. >>
Abent round about at two sides 600 ------- Undeveloped
LIdeta 04
Down town/infront of Meda garajii 500 GOV. >>
06
Source : field observation march,2017 and Addis Ababa sanitation, beautification, and park development
agency

XIX
 Table 18 Availability and Distribution of street medians in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities

Sub woreda Place name Area in m 2 Developer Status of

city name development
Kirkos 01 Estifanos church to NOC madiya 2000 AACRA developed
02 Debel round about to kara mara brige 1500 GOVERNMENT developed
02 Wollo sefer to ibex hotel 310 >> undeveloped
03 Olompiya to Meskel flower hotel 2000 >> developed
03 Gotera masalecha and gotera chafe 260 >> undeveloped
03 Ibex hotel to Gotera chafe 100 >> undeveloped
04 Gofa mazoriya to cherkos church 3052 >> developed
05 Bulgaria to kera round about 2359 >> undeveloped
06 Mexico to Africa union 7087 >> undeveloped
06 Around sarebet 500 >> undeveloped
06 Bulgaria to Africa union along Michael 1700 >> undeveloped
church
07 National to Mexico round about 210 >> undeveloped
07 Palace to felwuha along foreign affairs 5104
07 Stadium area 1400
07 Harmabie hotel to meskel square along 1480 developed
Ghion
07 Buna ena shay to stadium along 3200
leghaer
07 Ambassador to Sheraton hotel 1480 GOV.AND
SHERATON
07 In front of Ethiopia hotel 270 SUB CITY AND
HOTEL
08 Urael to gebi geberial along menharyia 2633 SUB CITY AND
HIRUT FAMILY
08 Inter-continental to yordanos hotel 1023 GOV.
09 Meskael chafe to denbel 1000 GOV.
07 Tele up to leghar 500 ETHIO
TELCOM
Total
LIdeta 05 Beriberi bernda to 43 gulet 1000 GOV. developed
06 T/haymanot to metrology 15000 GOV. >>
08 Amestigna to chefe meda along gejja 700 GOV. >>
sefer
09 Metrology to Goma kuteba 400 GOV. >>
09 Amestigna to Goma kuteba 650 GOV. >>
09 Goma Kuteba to national bank 1200 GOV. >>
Post office to mekalkeya 800 GOV.
Post office to ambassador theatre 270 Gov.
total 21020 21020
Source: Addis Ababa sanitation, beautification, and park development agency
Computed by: the researcher April 2017

XX
Table 19 Availability and Distribution of street sides in Kirkos and Lideta sub cities

Sub woreda Place name Developer name

Status of
in

develop
city

ment
Area
m2
Kirkos 01 Urael church to AA health office 18 GOV. developed
01,02 Meskel square to karamara bridge along 700 GOV. developed
bole road
02,03 Wollo sefer 237 GOV. >>
04 Gofa mazoriya to cherkos church 250 >> >>
04 Gotera ehel dipo 120 >> >>
05 Infront of AACRA 600 AACRA >>
06 Mexico to Gumuerk 320 GOV. >>
06 Federal small enterprises agency 1565 FSEA >>
06 Around Mexico 1933 AACRA >>
06 Around Mexico 349 COCA COLA >>
06 Around Mexico 245 TOTAL >>
06 Bulgaria to Africa union along Michael 800 GOV. >>
church
07 Around Mexico 2280 COMMERCE >>
COLLEGE
07 Ethiopia hotel to legehar 6378 4 >>
ORGANIZATIONS
08 Sedistegina police station 300 TOSA TERARA >>
HOTEL
08 Estifanos to urael 520 GOV. >>
09 Meskel chafe to denbel 150 GOV. >>
09 Meskel square to to Reche 175 GOV. >>
10 Cherkos church area 185 GOV. >>
Lideta 09 In front of national theatre 1200 MOUD >>
09 Next to national bank 1000 COMMERCIAL >>
BANK
02 Awash wine to torehyloch 600 AWASH WINE S.C >>
03 Coca mazorya to wendmamachoche 1500 PRIVATE
04 Lideta high court area 3000 Not
08 Saint George beer factory area 500 BGI demolished
08 Arekie factory area 600 GOV. Developed

Source: field observation march, 2017 and Addis Ababa sanitation, beautification, and park development
agency

XXI