Abstract:

Complexity is a central feature among the negatively compounding issues facing Africa's urban areas. People are faced with mounting daily pressures of combating the scarcity of life. The everyday socio-spatial lives of people are often overlooked in fixed master plans and macro-level research. The study argues empirically grounded micro-level research is necessary to create sustainable urban environments in Africa. It explores the use of space in the daily lives of ordinary residents' living in four kebeles in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after the completion of its newly revised master plan.

Situating Addis Ababa within the general context of other African Cities and Ethiopia in particular, it offers distinct solutions and guidelines for urban design professionals, policymakers, government and international donors. The study incorporates thick description, participant narratives and the resiliency perspective to elicit elements that support sustainable change within the built environment while enhancing community social relationships. An interdisciplinary exploratory focus and ethnographic approach is used to create measures for environment-behavior research in Ethiopia. It synthesizes disciplinary connections to African studies, anthropology, environment-behavior studies, architecture, history, sociology and urban planning. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were combined with extensive fieldwork, participant observation and archival research.

African cities are readable entities articulating distinct socio-spatial knowledge embedded in residents' everyday realities and actions. Knowledge best utilized to redirect and inform all planning and design initiatives. Epistemologically building on Christopher Alexander's (1977) A Pattern Language , it identifies 49 patterns, 13 of which are developed in the dissertation. A pattern language for environmental planning and design in Ethiopia with a special emphasis on Addis Ababa is introduced as a guide to reshaping the city and establishing a common vision for shared issues impacting other urban areas. Specific project proposals and policy recommendations which enhance residents' quality of life and support identified patterns are included.