HERITAGE, VALUE AND GENTRIFICATION

IN ADDIS ABABA: IN THE CASE STUDY OF

MESKEL SQUARE

Name: Meron Kifle Yeshitela

Id No: 713420

Oct, 2023

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 Table of contents
Title p.no

List of Figures..........................................................................................................................................................2

List of Tables ...........................................................................................................................................................3

List of Graphs ..........................................................................................................................................................3

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................4

2. Literature review ...........................................................................................................................................8

2.1 Gentrification, value and Heritage ..............................................................................................................8

2.2 Theoretical review .................................................................................................................................8

3. Urban appraisal ............................................................................................................................................13

3.1 Condition which shows Gentrification in Meskel Square ..................................................................13

3.1.1 Monumental stairs ..........................................................................................................................13

3.1.2 Path Makeover ................................................................................................................................14

3.1.3 Public Spaces ...................................................................................................................................15

3.1.4 Underground Parking ......................................................................................................................16

3.2 How the urban fabric and citizens have been affected by the reconstruction of Meskel Square. ...17

3.2.1 sport activity ....................................................................................................................................17

3.2.2 Relaxing activity ..............................................................................................................................17

3.2.3 Trade activities ................................................................................................................................18

3.2.4 public transport ...............................................................................................................................19

3 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................20

4 Reference .....................................................................................................................................................21

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List of Figures
Fig. 1: The location of site

Fig. 2: site map of Addis Ababa

Fig 3: site map of Meskel square

Fig 4: map of Meskel square

Fig.5: image of Meskle square in 2016

Fig.6: A front image of Meskle square in 2022

Fig.7: The celebration of Meskel at Estifanos square 1962

Fig. 8: The celebration of Meskel at Mesekel square 1963

Fig. 9: A map used as user's guide on the day of the inauguration in 1974

Fig. 10: People celebration revolution day at mesekel square in 1975

Fig. 11: Meskel celebration image in 1992

Fig. 12 Meskel celebration image in 1992

Fig. 13 Meskel celebration image in 2022

Fig. 14: A photo of red terror Martyrs memorial museum in 2010

Fig. 15: design of meskel square redevelopment project

Fig. 16: Image of Meskel square in 2019

Fig. 17: project image under construction 2021

Fig. 17: project image under construction 2021

Fig. 18: project image under construction 2021

Fig. 19: parking area,2020

Fig. 20: Ground look after redevelopment of Mesekel square,2022

Fig. 21: Mesekel square, 2021

Fig. 22: People watching football in big screen

Fig. 23: Meskel square, 2022

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Fig. 24: Underground parking area,2023

Fig. 25: Sport activity image on meskel square

Fig. 26: After redevelopment,2022

Fig. 27: People site on stairs on the square

Fig. 28: Homeless people on the square

Fig. 29: Small informal shops before renovating the area

Fig. 30: Public transport before renovating the area

Fig. 30: Meskel square,2022

List of Tables
Table:1 Addis Ababa population in 2023

List of Graphs
Graph 1: Addis Ababa population growth rate 1950-2020

Graph 2: Addis Ababa male and female population

Graph: 3 average monthly weather of Addis Ababa

Graph: 4 inflation rates of Ethiopia

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 1. Introduction
The federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also known as Ethiopia, is a nation on the Horn of Africa.
There are around 116.5 million people living there as of 2023, making it the most populous landlocked
nation and the second-largest populous nation in Africa after Nigeria. It is also the 13th-most populous
nation in the world. It has a roughly 3000 years history and a surface area of 1.13 million square
kilometers.

The name "the political capital of Africa" refers to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa
was established as Ethiopia's capital city in 1889 by Minilik II, who ruled the country from 1889 until
1913. Amharic, the local tongue, translates Addis Ababa as "new flower". Empress Taitu, the wife of
Menelik II, founded it and gave it this name. It was situated on a hill called Entoto, which is north of
Addis Abeba and mostly covered in forest.

Addis Abeba currently has 5.5 million residents and is growing at an average annual rate of 5.5%. Its
area is about 520 km2. Due to its high altitude, Addis Abeba is unlucky not to have any bodies of water
inside the city except for tiny rivers. Due to the city's proximity to the equator and moderate year-
round temperature, the month-to-month temperature variation is minimal.

With access to critical nodes and main thoroughfares, Meskel Square is situated in the center of the
city. Highly commercialized and bustling public spaces are all around it, and they are all easily
reachable. Approximately 47790m2 of the area are covered. Between its northern and southern
edges, it is 6.7 meters tall.

Source: Agonfer, Alemu, Askabe, 2011/2012

Fig. 1: The location of the site (Meskel Square)

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 Source: Google map

Fig. 2: Site Map of Addis Ababa

Source: Google map

Fig. 3: Site Map of Meskle square

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 Source: Google map

Fig. 4: site map of mesekel square

Source: Google pictures

Source: Google pictures

Fig. 5: Site map of Mesekel square Fig. 6: Mesekel square in 2016

Source: Google
pictures
Fig. 7: site image of msekel squre in 2022

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 Source: CSA,2023

Table: 1 Addis Ababa population in 2023

Source: CSA,2020

Graph 1: Addis Ababa population growth rate 1950-2020 Graph 2: Addis Ababa male and female population

Graph: 3 Average monthly weather of Addis Ababa Graph: 4 Inflation rates of Ethiopia

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 2. Literature review
2.1 Gentrification, value and Heritage

Half a century has passed since the British Sociologist Ruth Glass (1964) coined the term
“gentrification” in a book she wrote about urban and social change in London, demonstrating the
invasion of working-class neighborhoods by the middle classes. Gentrification is a process involving a
change in the population of land-users such that the new users are of a higher socio-economic status
than the previous users, together with an associated change in the built environment through
reinvestment in fixed capital’ (2005: 258). This definition goes together with the claim of Smith (1996:
39) that physical and social transformation of neighborhood through gentrification involves both
“rehabilitation of existing stock… and redevelopment that involved wholly new construction” which
creates a new class in the urban area.

Tomba (2017) studies gentrification using a notion of an ‘increase of value’ that is consubstantial with
a heritage-focused analysis of the processes involved. As De Cesari and Dimova (2019) stated, the
‘valorization’ of historic areas implies social, aesthetic, infrastructural and economic changes brought
by redevelopment, all of which can be intimately linked to the notion of heritage. According to this
interpretation, the historic environment cannot be simply conceived as a neutral battlefield where the
power clashes of gentrification occur. Much to the contrary, when heritagization is said to ‘promote
neighborhood improvement, social cohesion and a communal affirmed sense of place’ (Cheong and
Fong 2018, 5), discussions frequently omit the inherent conflicts between the residents’ dispossession
and newcomers’ appropriation.

2.2 Theoretical review

When the city was formed, Ras Biru, a royal person linked to emperor Menelik II, was given Meskel
square. Ras Biru lived at a higher level close by, like every other royal person. Gregorys and Gerard
(2007) He was the property owner. Thus, even at that time, the landscape had a potential to be
changed into the current shape of the square, a square with the shape of an amphitheater. The base
for the foundation of the square was the construction of the Estifanos Church in 1958. This church was
built by Emperor Haile Selassie. The area was a potential new center for the city following the
construction of the Estifanos church, together with the UN building and the Gion international hotel.
As a result, it was possible to choose a location close to Estifanos Church where the "Meskel" festival
could be held. (Addis Zemen, 1961) and "Meskel" was celebrated in this area beginning in 1961.

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 Source: Mikiyas, 2011

Fig.7: Meskel Festivity at Estifanos square 1962

Source: Mikiyas, 2011

Fig. 8: The celebration of Meskel at Mesekel square 1963

As more people began to use the space, the square gradually began to get wider. People gathered on
the mountainous area to stand while viewing the festivities on the lower level. In 1963, the Estifanos
square named after the church was changed into Meskel Square after the festival of Meskel. (Addis
Zemen, 1963) The square continued hosting religious and political festivals.

In 1974, the transition of government from a monarchy to military governance brought a major change
on the square as well. The new government wanted to destroy everything about the monarchy; it
started changing names of streets and squares. Because of this, Meskel Square was changed to
“Abiyot” Revolutionary Square. (Addis Zemen, 1974) The government subsequently created a master
plan for the city. C.K. Polonyi, a professor of planning from Hungary, received this commission. The
square's current amphitheater configuration was intended by Polonyi for use as a venue for political,
military, and religious demonstrations.

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 Source: Mikiyas, 2011

Figure 9: A map used as user's guide on the day of the inauguration in 1974

Source: Mikiyas, 2011

Fig. 10: 1975, people celebrating revolution day at Mesekel square.

The EPRDF came to power in 1992 when the Derg Military regime had collapsed. With this
development, Mesekel Square was once again given to the square, giving it its original name back. The
city had expanded in size at this point, and several areas of the city had smaller hubs. This area was
used as a public space and the city's major hub, according to the new administration. Political, cultural,

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and religious rituals were held on the square beginning during this transitional time.

Source: Google pictures

Fig. 11: Meskel celebration in 1992

Source: Google pictures Source: Google pictures

Fig: 12 Meskel celebration in 1992 Fig: 13 Meskel celebration in 2022

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 In 2010, the red terror Martyrs Memorial Museum built in an extension to the historic meskel
square.

Source: Google Source: Google pictures

pictures

Fig. 14: A photo of red terror martyr’s memorial museum in 2010

In 2021, the redevelopment project of Mesekel square the design plan is Starting from the original
plan that will see the stairs merge with the red terror museum roof to create an activity space such as
a café, the project moves forward even more with an underground parking, street allocation, public
space designation and much more.

The intricate design was prepared by three Ethiopian architects, and at the end of 2021, Chinese
workers started the building. According to the plan, automobiles would pass beneath the square's
surface, freeing up the ground for people to walk on. It will take 8 months of day and night labor to
finish the project in time for the 2022 Mesekel celebration. The project was finished and publicly
accessible in February.

Source: Google Source: Google

pictures pictures

Fig. 15: The design of meskel square redevelopment project

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3. Urban appraisal
3.1 Condition which shows Gentrification in Meskel Square

In 2020, the new government of Ethiopia embark different redevelopment projects in Addis Ababa,
which a name called ‘beautifying shger’ of Addis Ababa. Meskel square is one of redevelopment
projects implemented and completed in February 2022. The redevelopment project of 2.58 billion US
dollar cost covers around 2.5-hectare land, 3.5 km Road refurbish, 13.5 km long stage, 6 LED screen,
parking for 1400 cars, parking for 150 Bike, 32 shops for different uses, 120 public toilet, and 100
movable trees.

3.1.1 Monumental stairs

On the redevelopment of the project the iconic cure replaced by concrete curbs of the same heritage
dimension on the exact geographical location of the path.

Source: Google
pictures

Fig. 16: Image Mesekel square in 2019

Source: Google Source: Google

pictures pictures
Fig. 17: The project under construction 2021 Fig.18: The project under construction 2021

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 3.1.2 Path Makeover

The access paths cutting across the stairs on three locations – Exhibition center entrance, Juventus
Club entrance road and St. Joseph School entrance – are properly defined and expanded. As an
alternative route, the Juventus Club Road are widened and constructed as another entrance/exit point
to the site, sharing the traffic burden specially during mass gathering.

Source: Google
pictures

Figure: 19 Image of a parking area in 2020

Source: Google
pictures

Figure 20: The image of ground look after redevelopment of Meskel square in 2022

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 3.1.3 Public Spaces

Movable tree (planters) is shading the plaza and create a conductive microclimate for walking and
social activities. 6 digital 4K resolution screens are provided to replace haphazardly mounted
billboards here and there. The space that has been used for parking and an interstate bus terminal are
reclaimed in favor of the public space expansion and with increased public safety and security, Meskel
square will be open 24/7, creating a new dynamic to the capital city of Africa.

Source: Google Source: Google

pictures pictures

Fig. 21: Mesekel square, 2021 Fig. 22: People watching football on big screen.

Source: Google
pictures

Fig. 23: Mesekel square in 2022

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 3.1.4 Underground Parking

One of the biggest additions would be the basement parking that’ll go two stories underground
parking which around 1400 cars. This is directly under the flat surface excluding the 350+m long
stepped amphitheater curve of the square.

There are three entry/exit points which align to the corresponding roads towards Bole, Riche, and one
directly onto the central road. This, coupled with an extensive use of high-tech equipment for
management and security will make for a better parking than most places in the city.

Source: Google
pictures

Source: Google
pictures

Fig. 24: Underground parking area, 2023

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 3.2 How the urban fabric and citizens have been affected by the reconstruction of
Meskel Square.

The various uses of Meskel Square can be divided into religious, political, cultural, and daily
commercial activity. Numerous events are also present in Meskel Square's vicinity.

3.2.1 sport activity

Numerous people come here to exercise by running, performing gymnastics on the stairs, and playing
football on the lower level prior to the creation of the stairs. Different sports activities are currently
prohibited in order to safeguard the area's beauty and prevent light harm.

Source: Google
Source: Mikyais,2011 pictures

Fig. 25: sport activity image on meskel square Fig. 26: image of after redevelopment in 2022

3.2.2 Relaxing activity

People who used the location for relaxation both before and after the project's refurbishment.
However, once the project was finished, it was impossible to see any homeless individuals residing
nearby.

Source: Google Source: Mikyias,2011

pictures

Fig. 27: People sitting on stairs Fig. 28: homeless people on the square

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 3.2.3 Trade activities

The typical forms of trade—cobbling, small-goods sales, bicycle rentals, and mobile snacks—were
there before the Mesekle Square project was underway but are no longer present now that it has
been completed.

Source: Mikyias,2011 Source: Mikyias,2011 Source: Mikyias,2011

Fig. 29: small informal shops before renovating the area.

After the redevelopment there very small shop, almost as delivery points, that’ll house fast food
stalls, small shops and the like. This will encourage customers to use the site to the purpose it was
made for, a public space.

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 3.2.4 public transport

Prior to the project's redevelopment, the area was frequently busy in the morning and after work.
Other temporary service providers for the general public exist, including free HIV testing facilities and
informational establishments. Small taxis, interstate buses like the Selam and Sky buses, and other
private transportation services are examples of private service providers. The square serves as the
starting point for these cross-country buses that transport passengers to different regions of the
nation. Additionally, it serves as a destination for tourists who take these buses to enter the city. The
buses typically arrive in the late afternoon when the area is busy.

Source: Google Source: Google

pictures pictures

Fig. 29: public transport before renovating the area

Source: Google
pictures

Fig. 30: image of mesekel square 2022

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3 CONCLUSION
Urban planning and design have shown to be a crucial component in defining lifestyle, finding solutions
to issues, and introducing new ways of living in the city. To effectively plan and construct these areas,
it is wise to first research historical and present urban development trends. Designing a setting that is
appropriate for the locals uses the current local culture as a guiding principle.

Numerous concerns regarding religion, politics, economics, and the environment are brought up in
this case study of Mesekel Square. In addition to being a public park, the location is a symbol of Addis
Ababa and serves numerous purposes.

Before the redevelopment of the Mesekel square project poor waste treatment and disposal
mechanisms, luck’s architectural identity and harmony, the landscape is not very well treated, the
parking area was not properly managed, informal trading activity, crowded public transport and
homeless people live around and the stairs.

After the project's redevelopment, the square was constructed with great aesthetic appeal,
cleanliness, and proper resolution of infrastructure issues. In addition to being a hub for religious event
(Mesekel festival), the location has considerable socioeconomic value. 1400 subterranean parking
spaces were installed inside the square. By getting rid of the advertisements that were displayed on
every wall and replacing it with six contemporary digital screens, the issue has been resolved. A
security issue in the area has also been resolved, but because homeless people used to camp there, it
is not permitted to spend the night there. A fresh feature is added to the region at night by the lights,
and the greener area also adds to the sensation of vitality.

As a result, gentrification has taken place at Mesekle Square, which has seen a shift in the
socioeconomic status of its residents from poor to wealthy. However, the heritage value associated
with the Orthodox church's Mesekel Festival has also been preserved.

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4 Reference

Addis Ababa city Administration, Oct 8, 2023. “Public in dark as meskel square rehabilitation
commences”, Fortune: Journal.

Agonafer. N. S, Alemu. Z.T, Askabe. G.A, 2011/2012. “Identity-fiction and Re-Integration of Social
Spaces around Meskel Square Area” Sustainable Solution for a Low-cost housing and Design of Open
Spaces Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

CSA (2023): The population growth of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Chiara. D.C and Rozita. D, January 2017. “Heritage and gentrification: Introduction: Remaking urban
landscapes in the name of culture and historic preservation”: International Journal heritage studies.

Giorghis.F. and Gerard.D. (2007). The city and its Architectural Heritage: Addis Ababa 1886-1941.
Addis Ababa: Shama Books

Lulseged, T and Amanuel, S. may-June 2023. “The New Fate of Meskel Square”, The Africa building
platform: Ketema Journal.

Mikyas. T. A, 2011. Urban open space use in Addis Ababa: The case of Meskel Square.

Smith, I. 2066. Uses of Heritage. London: Routledge.

Smith, N. 2002. “NEW Globalization New urbanism: Gentrification as Global urban strategy.” Antipode
34 (3): 427-450

Tomba, L. 2017. “Gentrifying China’s Urbanization? Why Culture and Capital Aren’t Enough.”
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 41 (3): 508–517. doi:10.1111/1468-2427.12494.

Yuji. Z and Placido. G.M, 2022. “Heritage, values and Gentrification: the redevelopment of historic
areas in China. Htttps://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2021.2010791

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