Ethiopia’s capital is a showcase for its leader’s ambition

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The first phase of the redesign of Addis Ababa was estimated to have cost $1bn—a striking sum for a country whose conflict-hit economy is collapsing

Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskAll Ethiopia’s modern history is on display, too. Looming above you is the palace of Emperor Menelik II, who founded the Ethiopian capital in the late 19th century. To the north, beneath eucalyptus-covered hills, are districts built by Italian colonists in the 1930s that were once racially segregated.

The city’s existing infrastructure is also getting a facelift. Government offices have been spruced up. Public thoroughfares have been splashed with colour and adorned with flowers and murals. Last year Meskel Square, the historic central plaza, was lavishly refurbished at a cost of more than $73m—a striking sum in a country in the midst of a civil war.

viewed the city in essentially functional terms; their flagship urban projects were mostly large-scale bits of infrastructure such as housing estates and a light-rail system. Aesthetic concerns were secondary. Alula Tesfay Asfha of the University of Tsukuba notes the constructivist style of the period, in which buildings were designed to a minimum standard and aimed to cater to as many people as possible. In practice this often meant drab high-rises built with cheap aluminium frames.

Yet it has provoked mixed reactions from Ethiopians. Few question the value of more and better used public spaces. The land beneath Sheger Park, for instance, had languished for years. Many architects and urban planners appreciate their newfound status. Recently the government opened a swanky urban-design centre; it is holding competitions for major public developments. “The city was sleeping,” says Sofoniyas Solomon, a finalist in one of them. “These changes are necessary.

 

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Against the odds, there are also good developments.

This is a well worth it investment. Let's invest in the quality of lives of it's people. To lead always walk behind

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