TRANSFORMATION OF IMPRACTICAL PUBLIC SPACES ETHIOPIA

Document Type:Thesis

Subject Area:Architecture

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NAME: ___________________________________ SIGNATURE: _____________ DEPARTMENT: ___________________________ DATE: ___________________ NAME: ___________________________________ SIGNATURE: ______________ DEPARTMENT: ___________________________ DATE: _____________________ DEDICATION This study paper is dedicated to my family and best friend XXX for encouraging me to be focused and work hard. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My first appreciation goes to my parents, XXX for supporting my education well into adulthood and for their inspirations. I am overwhelmingly thankful to my supervisor Prof XXX for their relentless guidance, supportive feedback and encouragement throughout the writing of this thesis. ABSTRACT In Mekelle city, there are several public spaces and squares where people spend their leisure time (Giorgis & Mruts, 2012). Urban squares play a vital role in the Mekelle city environment since they act as a prime segment of the urban structure and subsidise to the image and prestige of the town.

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They play a vital role in the Mekelle city environment, act as a prime segment of the urban structure and subsidise to the image and prestige of the town. Public squares avail numerous leisure activities and outdoor events; it is where people go to relax, play games, read a book, sit or meet with families. Sometimes, public squares in Mekelle city are used for musical events, ritual, religious ceremonies, political activities or as a marketplace (Kahsay, Berhe, & Alemayehu, 2016). Romant, Castle, and Hawezen are some of the prominent urban squares of Mekelle city. Previously, public spaces and squares were places that fostered social interaction. , they have an interesting architectural element to the town. Their general openness gives the public the breathing places to sit and relax during leisure time in the middle of a dense city.

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The city administration offices manage the three urban squares. The physical condition of the squares indicates that low concern has been given to them by the responsible authorities, the places aren’t well managed (Kahsay, Berhe, & Alemayehu, 2016). There have been some complaints from the users concerning their suitability and stayability. The objective of the Study General Objective According to Black (2018), there has been a significant decline in people’s use of urban squares in the past few years. The public space and plazas have been experiencing a “backing off” and release regarding their use. As Black (2018) notes, when the purposes of city squares become less, the authority will be less motivated to establish new spaces or even maintain and improve the existing ones.

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Therefore, the prime aim of this paper was to examine prevailing livability problems that has led to lack of usage of urban squares in Mekelle city or regular visit by the town dweller and visitors and suggest design proposal that emphasises the environmental, economic, social-cultural and political role of the town. Also, the paper aims to propose management approaches that can be enacted to reduce identified problems or that can enhance a pleasant environment within city squares. It also outlines management approaches and design solutions which are specific to the study area, and by which the Romant, Castle and Hawezen squares can be re-designed and restored to become more responsive to users’ preferences. While in a social context, the paper gives a big opportunity for the community in examining their problems with livability of their area and how to make their spaces based on their preferences.

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This is an essential asset that gives people the social sense of pride and ownership and provides the future livability image of the public space. Scope and limitation The scope of the study The paper was limited to only three urban public squares; Romant, Castle, and Hawezen found in Mekelle city. These squares are situated in a metropolitan area whole population exceeds a thousand persons. There has been an increase in urban planning and designing research to provide essential information on how to design and develop city places. The urban space designers are more than committed to improving the urban environment by creating theoretical, conceptual, and practical knowledge on how to design and use these places. Chylińska and Kołodziejczyk (2018), believes that vibrant and active urban squares linked with the understanding of how to manage, develop and design cities.

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Urban public squares are a series of spaces and settings which facilitates or support public life and social interactions. Chylińska and Kołodziejczyk (2018), define urban plazas as the outdoor room within the city, where people relax and enjoy the downtown experience such as live concert, sports, and games, and attend civic and political functions. Below are some of the recent researches concerning public space; First, Mehan (2016) conducted a study on the use of open areas and extracted four qualities which define a successful urban public space; ‘use and activity,’ ‘comfort and image,’ ‘sociability,’ and ‘access and linkage. ’ He states that right places have different uses and are accessible whenever people want to use them, are comfortable areas with a unique image, friendly places where people meet each other or take their families to visit, and have linkages which lead users to various destinations.

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In their research Rašković and Decker (2015), pointed out 12 quality criteria, categorised into three major groups which define good urban squares; comfort, protection, and enjoyment. They state that above qualities need to check step by step while evaluating conditions of a given public space. First, they suggest that to examine if the place is comfortable, one should look if public space offers a healthy environment and invites people to the essential activities such as sitting, self-expression, standing, talking, playing or seeing. Adapting these categorisations, Smets (2013) created attributes under each aspect. The physical element covers the form of public space, landscape, visual complexity (aesthetic and visual features) and the size of the area. Geographical aspects include the location of the square, the catchment area, and space accessibility.

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Management elements involve strategies and program in place which enhances the sustainability of the public space by promoting diversification of uses and accommodating people from different gender, culture and age groups (Smets, 2013). Behavioural and psychological aspects are concerns with how users’ needs are satisfied in the urban squares. The change in a political, social and economic feature of the city significantly impacted city morphology. Rapid growing populace meant more needs, services, and waste. As a result, sizeable green place emerged as new public areas (Żołnierczuk & Rykała, 2017). During the 20th century, more cities developed, expanded, and fragmented which triggered the establishment of streets and urban squares. However, at the end of the 20th century, change in consumers’ habits and trends instigated a deterioration in the use of open public areas and shopping centre turned out to be new leisure centres (Żołnierczuk & Rykała, 2017).

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In their paper, Salin and Pesso (2017) state that city gathering in public squares promotes social cohesion and interaction as it displays the local identity. This is where urban inhibitors learn to respects and accept others. According to Mehan (2016), public squares are where individuals can express, take risks, and confront difficulties, all of which create a condition of tension or relaxation- both required for the psychological and mental wellbeing of humans. They are places for social interaction; it is where people meet others and experience diverse methods for conduct. The importance of urban squares is summarised as: • Encourage people to have a healthy lifestyle and well-being through active and passive pastime in a type of social interaction, walking, and organised activities. Example of the nuclear square in London’s Trafalgar Square.

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Grouped Squares Individual squares are linked aesthetically or organically to form continuous motion. Amorphous Squares They are formless and unorganised compared to other types of squares. They include all squares which are, from an aesthetic point of view, are formless. Times Square in New York and Vancouver’s Pioneer Place are typical examples of amorphous Squares (Low, 2015). Perception included under this variable group are friendly activity, usability, recreational events, affordability, diversity, and celebrity. Welcoming squares allow people from different cultural groups to come together in a supportive and mutual enjoyable manner and acts as vessels for enhancing public meetings by being inclusive and open to all public (Mehan, 2016). Successful urban squares are those which avails various facilities to users and encourages them to take part in different activities and engagements, including passive or actives (Salin & Pesso, 2017).

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The place should allow people to participate in social, religious, political, cultural, and economic activities which promote social cohesion (Liu, B. Liu, & Yang, 2011). Comfort and image are essential factors which determine public square success and usage. Successful urban squares have an abundance of places to sit such as benches, movable chairs, and steps, and encourage various activities from observing to walking around, reading, eating and socialising (Klemm, van Hove, Lenzholzer, & Kramer, 2017). To evaluate this element, ask respondents if the squares make a good impression on a visit? Have enough space to sit? If seats are suitably situated? If square clean and free of litter? And if they feel safe in the area? Sociability Sociability is the ability of urban square to enforce social interaction among the users and is an indicator of people’s presence; whether inclined, playing, walking or seating together (Chylińska, & Kołodziejczyk, 2018).

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A sociable square is one where people are free to interact with a wide range of people from different ethnic groups, meet friends or sit to observe the passing scene, and it offers a welcoming, interactive, friendly, pride and different perception (Capulong Reyes, 2016). Welcoming square is designed to ensure human activities aren’t hindered by poor seating design, excessive noise or cluttered footpaths (Capulong Reyes, 2016). This kind of study methodology is relevant to studies which required an in-depth description of the complex social phenomenon. The prime advantage of the case study approach is that it fosters new hypothesis, attains higher conceptual validity and addresses causal complexity (Dumez, 2015). Selection of the study The research was conducted on three public squares; Romant, Castle, and Hawezen of Mekelle city.

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There are several reasons why this three public squares of Mekelle were selected: are located in an urban areas whore population exceeds a thousand persons, publicly owned and administrated property, and presence of the ten years development programs towards making urban squares for all. These urban squares are situated in city CBD where there are more commercial and non-commercial activities. Majority of partakers, about 35% were from Adi Haki ethnic group, and the rest were from various ethnic groups. The sampling was taken based on the user groups of the squares and normal activities in the public space. Data collection techniques The questionnaire for the examination of the existing urban square issues and the future preferences were organised in 3 types: the in-depth interview, Likert-scale rating and site observation and all participants were made to respond to all kinds.

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Data analysis and interpretation The research applied mixed analysis methods to analyse the data findings gathered through various data collection methods. The paper used qualitative data analysis approaches, the categorisation and subjective interpretation and analysis. Data from Likert-scaling were defined in five 5-point scales (don’t agree, somewhat agree, agree, strongly agree, very strongly agree). The rating of the first two scales responses meant that condition of the variable under investigation was undesirable, while the last three scales used to give a final summary of the success of a particular variable. CHAPTER FOUR RESULT AND ANALYSIS The paper used various data collection techniques to gather findings of the current conditions of Mekelle public squares, users’ perceptions and experiences, and suggestion of design and management strategies from experts and users.

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The study findings from an in-depth interview, site observation, and Likert-scale rating are analysed and presented below. Study findings explored through the in-depth interview The results gathered via the detailed discussion are analysed and presented in this section. 7% of the respondents used the Romant square to pass through, 23. 4% for recreational activities such as meeting friend, sitting, watching people, reading a book or relaxing, while 29. 9% were in the square time of interview for planned events such as celebrating an occasion, participating in public demonstration or watching concerts. In Castle square, 48. 6% of interviewers were in the study area for daily coming and going activity, 18. Weekend 16% Personal reasons such as recreation time with families and friends Occasionally 9% Visited when to watch football, attend a concert, participate in public demonstrations Castle square Before 9 am and after 6 pm 72% Time of going to and coming from the workplace, city centre or school.

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Good weather; stable wind, watch sunrise or sunset Weekend 22% Leisure time, meet with families and friends Occasionally 6% To watch football, attend a concert, participate in public demonstrations Hawezen square Before 9 am and after 6 pm 78% Time of going to and coming from the workplace, city centre or school. Good weather; stable wind, watch sunrise or sunset Free time during lunch break. Weekend 12% Personal reasons such as recreation time with families and friends Occasionally 10% Visited when to watch football, attend a concert, participate in public demonstrations In Romant square, 75% of user visited the square before 9 am, during lunch break, and after 6 pm when they were passing through; going to and coming from workplace, city center or school, time there was good weather; steady wind, watch sunrise or sunset and free time during lunch break.

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16% of interviewers used the space on weekends for recreation purposes and meeting friends, while 9% used it occasionally when watching football, participating in a public demonstration or attending concerts. Daily 30% During leisure and break time Weekly 14% Recreation activities, meet friends or bring their families to the square. Occasionally 7% Attend planned events such as concert, watch football, participate in public demonstrations In Romant square, 46% of respondent used the square 2-4 times a day for passing through; going to and coming from the workplace, city centre or school or as a workplace. 21% of interviewers used the space on daily purpose during leisure and break-times, 18% used the square on weekly for recreation activities, meet friends and families, while 15% used square occasionally to watch football, participate in a public demonstration or attend concerts.

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In Castle square, 53% of interviewers used square 2-4 times a day for passing through, 26% used space daily, 15% of users used square weekly for purpose such recreation activities and 6% used the square occasionally such as to attend the concert. Majority of users, 49% in Hawezen square used space 2-4 times a day, 30% daily, 14% weekly, and 7% occasionally. The place lacs different ground cover design material. Landscape material: Selection of materials has paramount importance in landscape architecture. Romant square has poor landscape elements such as green area, water body, etc. which cause the square to fail its visual appearance and functional usage. Green structure: There are few trees and big open space which is untreated that cause dust. Likert-scale rating of Romant Square Case area Factor Percentage (%) Reason Romant square Use and Activity 36% good Use for celebration, meetings, and passage 64% bad Doesn’t avail inviting space for people activities (playing, sports), no supporting services, Comfort and Image 21% good Have defined spot that that are welcoming to sit down and seating furniture in goo dc condition.

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79% bad No protection to unpleasant climatic conditions, poor aesthetic quality, no sitting benches Sociability 31% good The place serves for various cultural activities, celebration, and games. 69% bad Too noisy, lack ‘talkscape’ seating and has no bench arrangements Access and Linkage 26% good It gives one a chance to see. 74% bad Has no harmony of connectedness, no good view, lack nice walking environment Romant square is 36% good in term of use and activity; 21% right in term of comfort and image, 31% good in term of sociability; and 26% good in term of access and linkage. In average, the Romant square is 28. In average, the square is 27. 5% suitable for public use. Table 6 Likert-scale rating of Hawezen Square Hawezen square Use and Activity 26% good Provide supporting services such as café, and newspaper kiosks 74% bad It doesn’t provide space for people activities such as playing and sports activities.

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The square doesn’t provide space for meetings, public events or celebrations. Comfort and Image 23% good Has a safe environment free of violence and crime 77% bad Experiences unpleasant climatic conditions, not seating furniture and poor aesthetic quality. Existing problems which have influenced the lack of use of Mekelle squares have been reviewed, and different design and management strategies proposed to help solve these issues. Existing problems of Mekelle squares Comfort & Image Safety, attractiveness & image, and provision of amenities are different variables which define comfort and image of the square. a. Safety A place is considered to be safe if it is free of crime and violence, the presence of a few homeless people and protected from unpleasant weather conditions. According to study findings, respondents viewed Mekelle squares being slightly unsafe for use.

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It is also known as the sense of place, and it is the factor of psychological aspects of users’ satisfaction about the urban square. It refers to the relationship between the place and people. A well-design and successful urban square bring a sort of joy, relaxation, comfort, motivation to take part in active and passive engagements and provide users with a sense of discovery to make them more attached to the place (Black, 2018). In his paper Black 2018), notes frequent users of the square tend to have a mental and emotional attachment to the place. To examine the sense of place, several factors where considered; users’ familiarity with the square, social and environmental features of the place, active and passive activities, and the physical features and attributes of the squares.

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Provision of amenities Public amenities include physical elements such as lavatories, shade trees, seating benches, bike racks, and places offering food, well designed and situated in the right area (Capulong Reyes, 2016). At least squares require well-located public seating furniture (chairs, benches, and seating landscapes) to welcome more people to use the space. All three squares had seats, neither seating landscapes nor seating benches. Similarly, noticed that squares had few lavatories facilities which didn’t fit a large number of users. Only a few users were forced to use squares due to fewer public amenities. Activities This is the presence of various diverse events which are welcoming and friendly to a group of users (Chylińska & Kołodziejczyk, 2018). These activities include daily comings/goings, recreational, and planned activities.

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The study findings indicate that squares don’t provide inviting spaces for users’ friendly event and sports games and plays, but does for celebration and public demonstration occasions. The most user visit study area for daily coming/going, transit, and recreational activities, while they occasionally used the space for planned events such as music concert, public demonstration, or watching football on screen. b. Access Access is a mean or an opportunity of entering an area, are categorised into physical, visual, and social access (Klemm, van Hove, Lenzholzer, & Kramer, 2017). According to data result, the square provides a chance to see distances within, as they are free of permanent/tall structures. However, the case area had an uncomfortable walking environment; sidewalks doesn’t offer enough space for walking, lack of comfort and unity in the pavements.

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b. Linkage This is the ability of the square layout to lead or direct movement to the various destination and harmonious functions (Klemm, van Hove, Lenzholzer, & Kramer, 2017). b. Inclusive environment It is an atmosphere with the diversity of events that involves all age groups, gender groups, income groups and to all culture groups (Martí Casanovas & Roca, 2017). The results indicate that squares primarily were used for public celebrations and didn’t serve various cultural events and festivals since were not designed for such occasions. In summary, following problems were highlighted as a prime contributor to the significant decline in the use of public spaces; poor walkability environment, issues of safety, lack of place identity, inadequate public amenities, exclusive talkscape atmosphere, and lack of diversity in activities.

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It is due to these conditions that public squares have become discouraging to uses. Management proposal Once the physical feature in squares has been improved, they need to be maintained continuously; cleaned, repaired, create users’ awareness, polished and shined (Mehan, 2016). In his article Mehan (2016), states that public squares need regular maintenance and follow up to improve the durability of physical facilities, sanitation, and security of the place. The authority needs to enhance good management of these squares; arranging the activities and events which makes the space more active and welcoming to a various group of people (Mehan, 2016). Below are two management proposal that will improve the current condition of public squares. Give responsibility to the private sector to beautify and maintain the squares.

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The paper also examined the professionals’ and users’ future preferences to suggest management and design approaches which will enhance the current states of the squares. In summary, the paper answered all research questions, and the study findings made an essential contribution in methodological, theoretical and practical professions. Also, the article also opened up new areas for further investigation. The in-depth description of the users indicates that welcoming and successful squares should have a safe atmosphere, wide sidewalks, clear access points, and linkage, more public amenities, greeneries, maintenance activities, and support services. The research results affirm the present findings in the literature.  Regional Science and Urban Economics, 71, 110-121 doi: 10. 1016/j. regsciurbeco. 001 Capulong Reyes, R. Public Space as Contested Space: The Battle over the Use, Meaning and Function of Public Space.

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What Is a Case, and What Is a Case Study?.  Bulletin of Sociological Methodology/Bulletin De Méthodologie Sociologique, 127(1), 43-57. doi: 10. 1177/0759106315582200 Giorgis, H. & Maruts, D. , Lenzholzer, S. , & Kramer, H. Towards guidelines for designing parks of the future.  Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 21, 134-145. doi: 10. 008 Liu, B. , Liu, Z. , & Yang, J. Continuity of Urban History Context – Urban Open Space Design Strategy.  Advanced Materials Research, 374-377, 248-251. , & Roca, E. Urban visions for the architectural project of public space.  The Journal Of Public Space, 2(2), 13. doi: 10. 5204/jps. 4479 Rašković, S. , & Decker, R. The influence of trees on the perception of urban squares.  Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 14(2), 237-245. doi: 10. Restoration and the City: The Role of Public Urban Squares.  Frontiers in Psychology, 8. doi: 10. 3389/fpsyg. 02093 Saremi, H.  The Open Urban Studies Journal, 6(1), 27-29.

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doi: 10. 2174/1874942901306010027 Sörensen, C. , & Simbürger, W. Restless Space Narratives of Change Around Landscapes of Rupture. How do open space characteristics influence open space use? A study of Melbourne’s Southbank Promenade.  Urban Research & Practice, 1-23. doi: 10. 1484152 Zhelnina, A. Learning to Use ‘Public Space’: Urban Space in Post-Soviet St. 278 Appendix Part -1 In-depth interview A. A sample form the case of Romant square Respondent No: ________ User group: _____________________________________________________ Gender: M------F------ Age group: 12-18----- 11-25----- 26-55-----55+------- Occupation: ______________________________________________________ Ethnic group: ________________________________________ What are your reasons for visiting the square? _________________________________ When is your convenient time to visit/use this square? Why? ____________________________ How often do you visit this square? Hourly, Daily, weekly, monthly? Mostly for what purpose? ____________________________________________________________________________ What is your experience of this square? ________________ Part -2 Likert-scale rating, a questionnaire 1) I strongly disagree 2) I fairly disagree 3) I disagree 4) I agree 5) I strongly agree Variables and attributes of Livability Livability Grading Comfort and Image 1 2 3 4 5 1.

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