Ras Mekonnen Urban Park

Creation of new green areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas

The main objectives of the intervention include: 1. To prevent erosion on the banks of the Shega river, a river that meanders through the entire Addis Ababa. 2. To transform a previous derelict and dumping space into a green area fit to serve a local population and enhance ecological services. 3. To inform the broader rehabilitation and revitalisation of the Shega River, thereby realising one of the city’s aims of creating a greener, more inclusive Addis. 4. To help prevent landslides, provide shade and restore previously damaged ecosystems attracting a wide range of birds and insects. 5. To restore the riverfront and its urban agriculture component that will provide green job opportunities for residents. 6. To raise awareness regarding the benefits of nature in cities, and to involve as many residents as possible, residents of different genders, cultural backgrounds, and ages. 7. To protect recreational areas for the local population and procure title deeds for public spaces to protect them from illegal encroachment.(1,2,3,4)

In 2017, UN-Habitat selected the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, to perform a citywide assessment of public spaces. The organization partnered with the Addis Ababa City Administration Beautification, Parks and Cemetery Development and Administration Authority to complete two assessments of all districts, called woredas, through 2018. The assessment identified 2,040 public spaces in the city. However, some areas lacked features to serve the public, such as a hilltop school for the blind accessed by an aged, uneven staircase. The assessment also considered the safety perception of specific areas and found that nearly 20% of public spaces were perceived as “not safe.” Given the priorities of improving accessibility and safety (especially for women and girls), the city became a clear choice for site selection. UN-Habitat and partners then set out to conduct an analysis of urban legislation, by-laws, and plans in Addis Ababa. By understanding the city's layout, the team aims to create a city-wide public space strategy and action plan. By using a workshop methodology developed by UN-Habitat involving the computer game Minecraft, the collaborators managed to get a diverse local community, including women and youth, involved in redesigning this public open space. A four-day workshop was held where city officials and community stakeholders were briefed about the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for human well-being and invited to think creatively and outside the constraints of the current site. By the end of the workshop, 12 designs in Minecraft were submitted to the Addis Ababa City Administration, and they formed the basis of the final design for the site. The river tributaries were uncovered, trees were planted, gabions were built to prevent erosion, as well as a playground, lawns, benches, bins, and a bike lane. (1,2,3,4)

• Local government/Municipality
• Citizens or community groups