BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF LAND ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

TITLE: REGENERATING BAHIR DAR CITY ፡MILLENNIUM PLAZA

THESIS PROJECT SUBMITTED TO BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF B.SC. DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE

PREPARED BY: FASIL AREGA

ADVISOR: INST. YIRSAWU ZEGEYE (MSc.)

DATE 29.5 .2009

BAHIR DAR. ETHIOPIA

Declaration
I declare that this thesis is my own and original work and has not been presented for a degree in
any other university, and all sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and
acknowledged by means of complete references.

Student Name: Fasil Arega

Signature: _________________

Confirmation

The thesis is submitted to the Institute with my approval as an Institute’s Advisor.

Advisor’s Name: Ato Yirsawu Zegeye (MSc)

Signature: _____________

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Abstract
BAHIR DAR city millennium plaza is a high profile place situated in urban center in some ways
it is the ideal location to be a good public space providing a place for conversing as well as
recreational activities. It is a place that has been modified and used for different purposes.
There are almost no studies or in depth methods incorporating quantitative and qualitative
analyses. It is also a place that has gone through several stages of development and is the
target of many opinions based on casual observations.

This thesis focuses on functional use of the plaza in a particular time and season to
methodically analyze how people use the space and how it came together to become the public
space known as meskel plaza today. This is done through the use of random image
observations, direct observations, and in depth interviews with those who were involved in the
creation of the plaza. Analysis of maps, and common routes taken through the plaza. Direct
observations provide more insight into the day to day activities of the plaza and the
phenomenological perspective of the design elements.

By combining these methods based on other public plazas i will try to figure out the down falls
and try to come up with a better design. The plaza will be a well used and successful space and
even suggest possible areas of improvement also I will try to incorporate architectural space for
exhibition and concerts.

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Acknowledgment
I would like to express my utmost gratitude to my advisor, Ato Yirsawu Zegeye, for his faith in
me during my entire research project. In addition to his continuous motivation and support, he
always brought up innovative ideas that led to a very satisfying research and project
experience.

I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my department for giving me the
opportunity and support to pursue to finish the paper. I wish to particularly express my
gratitude to Ato tadele from the municipality for giving as sufficient information as much as we
need to pursue this thesis project. .

I would like to thank my colleagues at school mohamed, nahome & zebiba for helping and
encouraging me to continue the research on the subject matter and for their assistance on the
some technical issues and photos. Special thanks goes to yonas azen for helping me out for
the Lumian rendering 3ds he allows me to use his computer.

Furthermore, my deepest thanks go to the peoples who gave me all the information I need in
the time of data collection and analysis.

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 Contents
Chapter ONE:................................................................................................................................... 8
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 8
1.1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 8
1.2. Problem statement ........................................................................................................................ 9
Spatial quality ............................................................................................................................................... 9
Quantity ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Aesthetics ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.3. Motivation...................................................................................................................................... 9
1. 4. Rational of the study ................................................................................................................... 10
1.5. Objective of the study .................................................................................................................. 10
1. 6. Research question ....................................................................................................................... 11
1. 7. Scope of the study....................................................................................................................... 11
1. 8. Methods of the study .................................................................................................................. 11
1. 9. Significance of the study ............................................................................................................. 11
1.10. Time schedule ............................................................................................................................ 12

Chapter TWO:
2.0 Literature Review .............................................................................................................................. 13
2.1 Defining Public Space .................................................................................................................... 13
2.1.1. Historical background ............................................................................................................... 13
2.1.2. Definition: Dictionaries ............................................................................................................. 13
2.1.3. Why Public Spaces are Important? ........................................................................................... 14
2.1.4. Public space types & characteristics ......................................................................................... 15
2.1.5. The Plaza ................................................................................................................................... 16
2.1.6. Form (Shape) ............................................................................................................................. 16
2.1.7. Function .................................................................................................................................... 17
2.1.8. “Good” Public Space ................................................................................................................. 17
2.1.9. Design & Management Recommendations for Public Open Space.......................................... 19
2.1.10. TEN principles for Successful Plazas........................................................................................ 20

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 2.1.11. Design recommendations and checklist ................................................................................. 20
2.2. CASE STUDY...................................................................................................................................... 23
2.2.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 23
2.2.2. International: CASE STUDY: PARIS FRANCE: Place des Vosges ................................................. 23
2.2.3. Local: CASE STUDY: Meskel square ........................................................................................... 26

Chapter Three .............................................................................................................................. 29

3. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................................. 29
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 29
3.2 Purpose of Data Collection ........................................................................................................... 29
3.3 Sources of Data and Collection Techniques .................................................................................. 29

Chapter four ................................................................................................................................... 31

4. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................... 31
4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 31
Findings ............................................................................................................................................... 39
Questionnaires ........................................................................................................................................ 43
Questionnaires to visitors of millennium plaza .................................................................................. 43
Questionnaires for selected officials of the town municipality .......................................................... 44
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 46
Conclusion

Finding

Recommendation

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List of figures
Figure 1: public space as classified by spiro kostof............................................................................. 16
Figure 2:Leon Krier’s definition of good public space (Krier, 2009) ..................................................... 18
Figure 3: Place des Vosges panorama view ....................................................................................... 24
Figure 4: Place des Vosges aerial view .............................................................................................. 24
Figure 5: Place des Vosges street pattern .......................................................................................... 24
Figure 6: Place des Vosges street grid characteristics ......................................................................... 25
Figure 7: Place des Vosges functional relation ship ............................................................................ 26
Figure 8: MengistuHailemariam giving speech AbiotAdebabay square 1975(Source: Urban
development of Addis ...................................................................................................................... 26
Figure 9: Ababa: plans and Realities (1995) ....................................................................................... 26
Figure 10:Source (picture from colleges, 2016) .................................................................................. 27
Figure 11:Source (picture taken by the researcher , 2016) ................................................................. 27
Figure 12:Source (picture taken by the researcher, 2016) .................................................................. 28
Figure 13: source from bahir dar city website images ........................................................................ 32
Figure 14: Google earth image .......................................................................................................... 32
Figure 15: Google earth image shows bahir dar millennium plaza ...................................................... 32
Figure 16: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing condition .................................................. 32
Figure 17: Graphical illustration of the urban corridor ....................................................................... 34
Figure 18: Google earth top view image of bahir dar city partially ..................................................... 35
Figure 19: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing condition .................................................. 35
Figure 20: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing condition and youngsters playing on the filed
........................................................................................................................................................ 35
Figure 21: Graphical illustration to show accesses to the plaza .......................................................... 36
Figure 22: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing condition and secondary accesses ............. 36
Figure 23: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing condition and north east accesses ............. 36
Figure 24:Graphical illustration to show approximate to the plaza .................................................... 37

List of table
Table 1: Public space types & characteristics ..................................................................................... 15
Table 2: Design & Management Recommendations for Public Open Space ........................................ 19

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Chapter ONE:
1. Introduction
1.1 Abstract
BAHIR DAR city millennium plaza is a high profile place situated in urban center in some ways it
is the ideal location to be a good public space providing a place for conversing as well as
recreational activities. It is a place that has been modified and used for different purposes.
There are almost no studies or in depth methods incorporating quantitative and qualitative
analyses. It is also a place that has gone through several stages of development and is the
target of many opinions based on casual observations.

This thesis focuses on functional use of the plaza in a particular time and season to
methodically analyze how people use the space and how it came together to become the public
space known as meskel plaza today. This is done through the use of random image
observations, direct observations, and in depth interviews with those who were involved in the
creation of the plaza. Analysis of maps, and common routes taken through the plaza. Direct
observations provide more insight into the day to day activities of the plaza and the
phenomenological perspective of the design elements.

By combining these methods based on other public plazas i will try to figure out the down falls
and try to come up with a better design. The plaza will be a well used and successful space and
even suggest possible areas of improvement also I will try to incorporate architectural space for
exhibition and concerts.
1.2. Problem statement
The existing plaza serves several activities through the year both recreational and political
demonstrations. And also sport competition, music concerts and governmental gathering.
There are also daily sport activates like basketball training, football, and volleyball are the
common activities.

These activities and events face several problems

Problems based on spatial quality, quantity and aesthetics

Spatial quality

 Standard and quality of the play grounds

 Space definition
 Relation with side routes

Quantity

 Capacity for accommodation of the people

 Number and capacity of entrances

Aesthetics

 Lack of green preservation

 Lack of Connection with natural futures
 Proportion of the hardscape and softscape

1.3. Motivation
The urban living citizen who owns land prefers to have an enclosed residence using hard fences
for more privacy and protection but it is influencing the culture of living together by spending
more time together. And also it makes children to be attracted more to the digital world for
recreation rather than with each other. So forcing the people to remove their fence is not
logical but finding ways to recreate and develop our social interactions can be solution for this
urbanization problem.

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Recreating multipurpose public plaza can be one of the solutions for this problem. For EXAMPLE
Times Plaza is a good example.

1. 4. Rational of the study

Social interaction helps as well. It is the key to create a secured and peace full environment.
The elders have high potential to contribute to their society even after their retirement.
They are knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced. However, gradually these kinds of
community value start to decrease. Currently children are not playing like their elders used to.
It is also expected that the findings of the study will be useful in developing social values
and unity.

1.5. Objective of the study

The broad objective of this study is to understand how the people intend to use this
public plaza and what kind of activates are more preferred. And which time of day they prefer
to use it depending on the season.

The specific objectives of this study are:

 To Identify activities allows people to communicate and involves a large number of

people.
 Identify qualities which are appropriate and standard that make a public plaza sufficient.
 Identify people’s concerns related to security, responsibilities to protect the
environment, and participation to involve.
 To come up with believable suggestions and recommendations to redesign if necessary .

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1. 6. Research question
This study seeks to generate answers to following questions.

 Which kind of activities allows people to communicate and involve large number of
people?
 What is appropriate and standard to create a good public plaza?
 Who is responsible related to security, to protect the environment, and participation
concerning the project?
 How to protect it from damage and to keep it clean?
 How To come up with believable suggestions and recommendations for the
concerned Authorities?

1. 7. Scope of the study

The study is limited to the responses and regenerating the public plaza. This plaza was drawn
out of many public spaces in bahir dar city because of its location and potential to serve many.

1. 8. Methods of the study

 Direct in person observations
 Observation using pictures
 In depth interviews
 Capstone course material analysis and comparison
 Intercept surveys

1. 9. Significance of the study

As stated previously, the research goals were to explore:

 The history of the public plaza.

 How people use the public plaza.

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  What if anything has changed in Behavior and attitudes associated with the plaza.
 How these research methods in particular can shed light on human behavior in public
space for future analysis and improvement of urban design for open space.

1.10. Time schedule

1 Proposal 15th November
2 Literature review, case study 29th November
3 Data collection and analysis 27th December
4 Design project based on the 30th December
findings of the thesis’s project
5 Production of research paper 6th February
including the whole process
and design project

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Chapter TWO:
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Defining Public Space
Public space has been defined in various ways in the modern context. Carr etal.’s definition
emphasizes the accessibility of the space, defining public space as “open, publicly accessible
places”(Carr, Francis, Rivlin, &Stone,1992),despite the fact that some public space is within
buildings or restricted to certain times of the day or members of the public.

2.1.1. Historical background

The history of plazas can be traced back since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans
(Mumford, 1961). The Acropolis, (a fortified raised area holding a sanctuary) served as a nucleus
of the early Greek cities. The development of the ancient Greek civilization brought the
appearance of the Agora – a secular market and a meeting place that slowly gained greater social
importance. Mumford (1961) stresses that one the most important functions of the Agora was to
provide space for daily communications and formal and informal meetings. Cities of the Roman
Empire were organized around the Forum, which united the functions of the Greek Acropolis
and Agora.

2.1.2. Definition: Dictionaries

With this in mind, it is necessary to clearly define what is meant by the term "plaza". Many of
the world’s famous dictionaries provide interpretations of this term, such as:

 The Oxford Dictionary (1995), where the term “plaza” is defined as: open (usually foursided)
area surrounded by buildings;
 The Online FREE DICTIONARY by FARLEX provides a comprehensive explanation of the
term “plaza”, even treating its significance from the aspect of social sciences and human
geography, and giving a list of different names for open spaces used in different languages,as
well as interpretation of the term from historical perspective, with a review from agora to market
place.

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  Wikipedia gives an explanation of all terms associated with the term "plaza", that are used in
many different languages. Just as an example, the English explanation is the following: An urban
plaza is an open area commonly found in the heart of a traditional town used for community
gatherings. Other names for town plaza are civic centre, city plaza, urban plaza, market plaza,
public plaza, plaza (from Spanish), piazza (from Italian), and place (from French). It may be a
Market Plaza.

2.1.3. Why Public Spaces are Important?

In the city discourse one of the key questions that need to be considered is exactly the question of
importance of public spaces / plazas and their contribution in terms of preservation and
development of social, economic and environmental fabric of the city.

This can be summarized as:

 Provision of attractive living, working and playing environment

 Promotion of healthy lifestyle and wellbeing through active and passive recreation
(leisure), in a form of organized activities, walking and social interaction
 Space for outdoor relaxation and pleasure, or just a short escape to enjoy the peace and
tranquility of open space
 Destination for visitors and tourists
 High quality public space attracts business and investment
 Contribution for landscape and visual amenity
 Opportunity for informal education
 Focal point for events and activities
 Opportunity for community preservation and involvement, increased public awareness
and upgrading

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2.1.4. Public space types & characteristics

Table 1: Public space types & characteristics

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2.1.5. The Plaza
One of the three most important elements of the city, beside the city block and street, is certainly
the plaza. The plaza is not only a space surrounded by buildings, but also a place of special
privilege used for public displaying of architecture. The most magnificent urban compositions,
such as Piazza San Marco in Venice, Piazza San Pietro in Rome, Concorde in Paris or the Palace
Plaza in St. Petersburg, are unique because of the correlation between the space, surrounding
buildings and the sky, stimulating emotional and mental response, which can be compared to the
reaction caused by other art forms.

There are two main methods for categorization of plazas - by their form (shape) and by the
function.

2.1.6. Form (Shape)

According to Kost of, one of the main
issues related to public spaces is
adaptability, making the connection
with the form, in the broad sense of the
term physical structure, unavoidable..
Every space is shaped according to the
functions that are performed in it, or
conversely, the shape of the space
attracts certain functions. Thus,
building a city house, church or park,
and according to the basic standards
for accessibility, visibility, etc.., will
shape a certain form, or vice versa, in
growing cities, existing free spaces,
according to the form acceptable
(suitable) for certain function, will
Figure 1: public space as classified by spiro kostof
adapt to the emerging needs.

Kostof, Spiro. (2005) The City Assembled: The Elements of Urban Form through History. Thames & Hudson, London

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2.1.7. Function
Activities in the plazas are important for their vitality and therefore the visual attractiveness
plays substantial role. Vitruvius says that the size "should be proportionate to the number of
inhabitants, so that it may not be too small a space to be useful, nor look like a desert waste for
lack of population". In the Renaissance, the stress is on the desirability of different plazas which
will serve different purposes. Thus Alberti believes that „... there ought to be several plazas laid
out in different parts of the city, some for the exposing of merchandises to sale in time of peace;
and others for the exercises proper for youth; and others for laying up stores in time of war,
...“.According to Mouthing a city needs different types of plazas that will provide: „the setting
for a civic building; the principal meeting places; places for great ceremonial occasions; spaces
for entertainment around buildings such as theatres, cinemas, restaurants and cafes; spaces for
shopping, shopping street, arcades and markets; spaces around which offices are grouped; spaces
of a semi-public nature around which residential accommodation is arranged; and, finally, the
spaces associated with urban traffic junctions.“Some of these areas have a primary function, for
example a centre of the city, while others get more overlapping functions. Mono- functionalism,
separation and emphasis of only one function is typical characteristic of the philosophy of the
modern movement in architecture and urbanism. Hence, large parts of the complexes, cultural
and shopping centers remain empty in the period beyond their primary time of use. Depending
on their functions, Kostof divides the plazas into: civic centers, the pace d'armes, plazas that
accommodate games, traffic plazas, residential plazas.

2.1.8. “Good” Public Space

There are many theorists who value public space for not only social justice reasons but
also for health reasons regarding social, political, and physical wellbeing (for urban
residents in particular). One of these benefits, though slightly controversial, is the “contact
hypothesis” which argues that socio spatial contact amongst members of different ethnic
and class groups benefits citizens in that they experience ways of life foreign to their

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own and therefore broaden their tolerance and understanding of people in general
(Hajer&Reijndorp, 2001.

New Urbanist movement aims towards creating a form based code for buildings, as well as the
spaces between them(Duany,PlaterZyberk,&Speck,2001).Numerous guides have also been
create in order to explain these principles of good design emphasizing the human element(for
examples, see: Francis,2003;Gehl,2010;Krier2009).

Figure 2:Leon Krier’s definition of good public space (Krier, 2009)

How
to Make Great Public Spaces (Plazas)?Considering the fundamental roles of these areas, but also
in terms of what they are expected to provide for citizens and community as a whole, public
spaces can be assessed according to the following criteria (qualities):

 Sociability
 Activities
 Accessibility
 Comfort
 Appearance
 Degree of satisfaction by users

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2.1.9. Design & Management Recommendations for Public Open
Space

Table 2: Design & Management Recommendations for Public Open Space

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2.1.10. TEN principles for Successful Plazas
Regarding the question of creating new models for public spaces, Project for Public Spaces

(PPS), based on numerous researches and assessments of hundreds of plazas worldwide, offers a
set of 10 principles how to ensure creation of great and attractive plazas these principles are
based on the following criteria:

1. Image and Identity

2. Attractions and Destinations
3. Amenities
4. Flexible Design
5. Seasonal Strategy
6. Access
7. The Inner Plaza & the Outer Plaza
8. Reaching Out Like an Octopus
9. The Central Role of Management

10. Diverse Funding Sources

Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design

2.1.11. Design recommendations and checklist

A. Location

The best locations are those that attract a variety of users and both active and passive uses in
determining whether or not a new plaza would be an asset in the proposed location.

B. Size

It is difficult to make recommendations regarding size, as every location and context is different.
Kevin Lynch suggested that dimensions of 40 ft. (12 m) appear intimate in scale; up to 80 ft. (24
m) is still a pleasant human scale; and that most of the successful enclosed plazas of the past
have not exceeded 450 ft. (137 m) in smaller dimension(Lynch 1971). Gehl proposed a
maximum dimension of 230 to 330 ft.(70 to 100 m), as this is the maximum distance for being

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able to see events. This might be combined with the maximum distance for being able to see
facial expressions, 65 to 80 ft. (20 to 25 m).

C. Visual complexity

“Both density and variety as opposed to sparseness and repetition appeared to be perceptually
important,” suggesting:

D. Uses and activities

A number of questions should be considered to ensure a successful program of uses and

activities in each plaza.

-Has the plaza been designed to accommodate either lingerers or passers-through? Or if both
functions are to be included, have distinct subareas of the plaza been provided to avoid conflict?

- If people are encouraged to take shortcuts through the plaza, have barriers between the
sidewalk and plaza been eliminated, including grade changes?

- To encourage people to stop and linger in the plaza, have dense furnishings, attractive focal
elements, and defined edges been used? If concerts, rallies, and so on are anticipated, have
unimpeded open areas been provided?

- Does the plaza design address the differences between men’s predominant preference for a
“front yard” experience—public, interactive—and many women’s desire for a relaxed and secure
“backyard” experience

- To minimize vandalism and the presence of “undesirables” (or to render them inconspicuous in
the crowd), has the plaza been designed to encourage heavy use, rather than by “hardening” the
design?

Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design

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E. Circulation

The principal use of many plazas is by pedestrians entering and leaving nearby buildings.
Regardless of local weather, the aesthetics of the plaza, or anything else, people will take the
shortest and straightest route between the sidewalk (bus stop, car drop-off, intersection) and the
nearest building entry. A necessary analysis in plaza design is predicting the route by which
people will flow in and out of a building, to ensure an unimpeded path for their movement.

F. Planting

The variety and quality of textural, color, massing, aural, and olfactory effects created by a
careful planting plan can add immeasurable to the plaza’s use.

G. Paving

To even a casual observer of people in public places, it becomes apparent that people seek to
move from any two origins to destination points from A to B in as direct a line as possible—
establishing so called “desire lines” and most apparent for example by path way stracked in the
snow. All major circulation routes must accommodate this principle, or people will take
shortcuts across lawns or even planting to get to where they want to go, as directly as possible.
Surfaces that most people avoid (and so can be used to channel movement) are large-sized gravel
and cobbles. Women are more likely to avoid them than are men. A change in surface that is
readily apparent to the feet and eyes, such as the transition from sidewalk paving to brick, can
define a plaza as a separate place without discouraging entry.

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2.2. CASE STUDY
2.2.1. Introduction
On This paper I try to review Case studies to analysis and consider solution also some design
approaches used by other scholars because to get best design solution to my project it is better
reviewing privies projects in similar technicalities. I have reviewed starting from international
public [civic] plazas like PARIS FRANCE: Place des Vosges to local Addis Ababa Ethiopia
meskel plaza in different aspects.

2.2.2. International: CASE STUDY: PARIS FRANCE: Place des Vosges

-Location: PARIS FRANCE

-Year of envisioned: 17th century

-Size & scale: 74.004 ㎡

2.2.1. Historical background

Place des Vosges was envisioned in the beginning of the 17th century as a public plaza to
cultivate trade and production of high end goods. This plaza, which is the oldest planned plaza in
Paris, is located in the Marais district in the 3rd and 4th [administrative districts which through
numbers typically indicate the proximity of a district to central Paris]. After the inauguration of
the site in 1612, the concept for the development evolved into a community housing artisans and
craftsmen skilled in the production of precious clothes. Henry IV conceived of “a large public
plaza built on four sides [to attract artisans]… and residents of our city, who are very crowded to
stroll and for days of celebration, where there are large assemblies.” (Balloon, 68).

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 Figure 3: Place des Vosges panorama view

2.2.2. MORPHOLOGICAL DIMENSION & FIGURE GROUND

The built environment surrounding Place des Vosges consists of dense 4-6 story buildings with
ground floor retail and restaurants and residential above. The small lot size of the neighborhood
has remained consistent indicating long term stability in the morphological change of the
neighborhood.

The Place des Vosges was designed as a central

plaza framed by a set of buildings which also
framed the social and economic transactions that
the King envisioned would revitalize the
economy of France. In contrast to the
surrounding urban fabric, Place des Vosages
stands as an object in the web of space created by

the medieval period city layout. Figure 4: Place des Vosges aerial view

The interior and exterior of the space are now available for public consumption challenging the
traditional perimeter block housing of Paris. The social life of the neighborhood streets gave way
to the development of a socially active central gathering space.

2.2. 3. STREET PATTERN

The cadastral pattern surrounding Place des Vosges consists
of three streets which intersect the central plaza. The organic

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Figure 5: Place des Vosges street pattern

pattern has a fine grain providing permeability through the neighborhood.

The idealistic layout of the street grid around the plaza represents a shift away from the organic
method thsurrounding neighborhood developed.

Bottom left: Organically developed neighborhood streets

Bottom Right: The arterials provide essential connections to public transportation providing easy
access to the rest of the city

2.2.2.4. STREET GRID

CHARACTERISTICS
The organic fine grained street grid
provides a dramatic Juxtaposition with the
structure and symmetry of the Place des
Vosges. The formal grid indicates a shift in
formality and represents the importance
this plaza has provided to arts and textiles.

2.2.2.5. URBAN BLOCK SIZE Figure 6: Place des Vosges street grid characteristics
The neighborhood is a historically dense
and has maintained a Stable lot size. The small block sizes contribute to the permeability and
accessibility of the neighborhood. Place des Vosges provides a Significant change in the block
structure indicating its importance as a gathering place for the community.

2.2.2.6. FUNCTIONAL DIMENSION

This plaza functions significantly for the neighborhood. The site is meaningful, full of history
and context. The space is democratic in its
equalization of space. Each person in the
neighborhood has an equal chance to participate in
the activity of the plaza and view the creativity
cultures works. Equal access is provided on all sides
of the site. The site is responsive to the needs of the

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 user groups as well. The park provides comfort and protection from weather under the Bosque of
trees or in the arcade. There are places for relaxation on the lawn or on the benches below the
Lindens and passive engagement with other users through people watching from the benches.

The park provides formal movement across the site via the access points at the corners of the
central park. The park is triangulated by the fountains and the statue in the center providing
integration of the individual program pieces of the park and active edges.

2.2.3. Local: CASE STUDY: Meskel square

2.2.3.1. Historical background
The site of the current location of the square was given to RasBiru, a royal person related to
emperor Minilik II when the city was founded. As every other royal person, RasBiru also lived at
a higher level near this location. (Giorghis and
Figure 7: Place des Vosges functional relation ship
Gerard, 2007) The place was owned by him. Thus,
even at that time, the landscape had a potential to be changed in to the current shape of the plaza,
a plaza with the shape of an Amphitheatre. The base for the foundation of the plaza was the

Figure 9: Ababa: plans and Realities (1995) Figure 8: MengistuHailemariam giving speech AbiotAdebabay
square 1975(Source: Urban development of Addis

construction of the Estifanos Church in 1958.

To finding a place near Estifanos church for the celebration of the “Meskel” festival. (Addis
Zemen, 1961) and starting from 1961, “Meskel” was celebrated in this space.

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The square slowly started to get wider when the population using the space started to grow. The
square continued hosting religious and political festivals. In 1974 the transition of government
from monarchy to military governance brought a major change on the square as well. Because of
this, Meskel square was changed to “Abiyot” Revolutionary Plaza. (Addis Zemen , 1974)
Subsequently the government also prepared a master plan for the city. The plaza was maintained
and the stairs were improved in the coming years.

In 1992 the Derg Military regime came to an end and EPRDF took power. With this
development, the square got its name back and it was again named Meskel square. At this time,
the city had grown wider and there were smaller centers at different parts of the city. The new
government recognized the use of this space as a public place and main center of the city.

2.2.3.2. Functional dimension

The square hosted political, cultural and religious ceremonies. On other days of the year, when
there are no public holidays, the square gave use for the public as a gathering place, youth center,
exercise and recreational space.

Figure 10:Source (picture from colleges, 2016) Figure 11:Source (picture taken by the researcher , 2016)

Another significant element of the square is the line of commercial signs on the wall. These are
huge commercials that are posted by government as well as private bodies. They are very
significant to the physical character of the plaza.

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 Figure 12: Source (picture taken by the researcher, 2016)

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Chapter Three
3. METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter overview the research methodology used approached and applied. The site visit and
observation undertaken, the interview process that was followed, the selection of data collection
techniques, analysis and the limitations are all discussed.

3.2 Purpose of Data Collection

The purpose of data collection is mainly to understand the feelings and experience of the
residents on the open spaces and to base the solution based on the outcome of the analysis
besides my personal exercise. And to find out the legal and institutional frame work, if any is
available, which guide and administer the open spaces.

The data collected were focused on the following key issues:

 The different activities carried on the plaza

 Safety and accessibility of the plaza
 Landscaping elements and their need
 The interviewee experience on plaza
 What they fill about the plaza
 How the plaza administered and developed.

3.3 Sources of Data and Collection Techniques

The research uses both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data are collected
through direct observation and picture taken from the site; interviews and discussion with the
people who spend time on the plaza, and government bodies. The secondary data are collected
from manuals, master (development) plan, satellite image (Google map), and relevant books.

3.3.1 Primary data collection

Primary data is a type of information that is obtained directly from first-hand sources by means
of surveys, observation or experimentation, and It is data that has not been previously
published and is derived from a new or original research study and collected at the
source(Jankowicz, 1995).

For this research, the following primary data collection techniques are used:-

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Observation
Collecting relevant data for analyzing the current practice of the plaza in the bahir dar city
requires using or applying different methodologies. One of the best ways of obtaining a data on
how urban spaces operate or used is by making site visits to the areas and observe what really is
going on there i.e. through observing the relationships between activities and spaces.

Interview
For this research, interviews were used to gather information that adds for the physical
observation. The interview helps to measure the attitudes, perceptions and motivation of people
about the plaza.

The type of questions that was asked in the interview generally falls into two categories:

1. Use - (For what purpose they use the plaza).

2. Attitudes, opinions, and problems regarding the spaces.

In this regard a total of 17 interviews were conducted using semi- structured interview questions.
Interviewees were selected randomly and doing different activities on the plaza. And they were
from different kebles .

Taking pictures:
Pictures were taken to support the research with graphics that show the current condition of the
plaza, physical setting, and practices. While taking photos of for this paper permission was
asked respondents to have his/her properties picture.

Direct observation
During the preparation of this paper observations has done to check on the spatial and activity on
the site to the practice. This will help to investigate current practice, challenges that are facing
the plaza , and spatial implication and additional functions on the millennium plaza in
addition to the common uses.

3.3.2 Secondary data collection

Most of the secondary data is collected from books and internet. There are also some files shared
from colleges and advisors.

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Chapter four
4. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 General background of Bahir Dar city.

Location
Metropolitan Area of Bahir Dar is found in the Bahir Dar Zuria Wereda. It is specifically located in the
central part of Amhara National Regional State encircling the periphery of Lake Tana's southern tip. The
metropolitan area of Bahir Dar stretches about 25 km radius from the center of Bahir Dar city proper.

Bahir Dar, the city proper, is located at the center of the metropolitan area, its absolute geographical
location is at about 11o37' north latitude and 37o25' east longitude. As of the relative location, it has a
road distance of 550 kms via Bure and 460 kms via Motta from Addis Ababa while the air distance from
Addis is a 55 minutes air flight.

Topography
Bahir Dar Metropolitan Area is mostly characterized by flat plain topographic landscape however; there
are some pockets of land with hills, rugged and undulating features. The elevation of the metropolitan
area is between the range of 1650 meters above sea level and 2100 meters above sea level. When it is
viewed specifically, the average elevation of Bahir Dar city is estimated in between as low as 1786
meters above sea level (near the lake shore) and as high as1886 meters above sea level (near Bezawit
hill).

Plan History
The urbanization process of Bahir Dar was started during the Italian occupation, and it was in 1948 that
the government launched the planning process of Bahir Dar, by which roads of the city were improved
by constructing new ones and also by upgrading the old ones. The first fully- fledged master plan was
prepared by a German expert in 1965. Then after, the then Ministry of Urban Development and Housing
prepared detail plan in the late 1970s. In 1996 a master plan was also prepared by National Urban
Planning Institute. The latest one is prepared by Federal Urban Planning Institute in 2006.

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4.1.2. Background history of study area (millennium plaza)
In the 1950 and 60 this plaza was one big open space used as airport. Because it was very long in
one side and wide in the other side, emperor HAILLESELASE used to land his airplane, then
small airport of bahir dar city was built, this urban corridor turned into public space.

Figure 14: Google earth image Figure 13: source from bahir dar city website images

4.1.3. Existing condition of millennium plaza

With a wide open space, the millennium plaza is enclosed by a big eucalyptus (bahir zaf) which
shade and ventilate some part of the area, but as a whole, the area has a hot dry climate. The play
ground for basketball, footstall and volleyball is paved by asphalt beside this court the rest is
grass and some dry soil.

It has a flat topography which makes it a comfortable space for different activities. Like cultural
ceremonies, people gathering and holidays are some of the activities that take place in the area. It
gets a very good clean breath directly from Lake Tana through the urban corridor.

Figure 15: Google earth image shows bahir Figure 16: photo taken by researcher, shows
dar millennium plaza the existing condition

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4.1.4. Buildings & Functions surrounding millennium plaza
The plaza is surrounded by different marketing activities that follows and considers the plaza,
which is the best site to get many customers.

Most of the buildings found around the meskel plaza are not more than five story, they have
different purposes most of are for commercial and recreational like, hotel restaurant and café also
governmental offices, banks. They don’t have so much material difference most of them are built
by hallow concrete block and also there are one story residences built by mud. Bahir dar stadium
is the biggest building in the surrounding it is the reason to open this urban corridor to ventilate
the stadium while it is filled with people to attend soccer game or other cultural celebrations.

4.1.5. Activities which allows people to communicate and involves a large

number of people.

Functional significance of the millennium plaza

The quality of having importance or being regarded as having a great meaningful space like this
plaza is impeccable. The potential for social integration in the city depends on possibilities for
social encounter and exchange among people. In this sense, the use of public space, and
particularly the plaza, is an effective instrument for social solidity.

This plaza plays a fundamental role in successful urban areas. These plaza acts as a focal point
for the civic and social life of a city, a place where unarranged gathering, people watching and
even, political communication takes place both peacefully and violently. So this plaza can also
consider as historical space.

4.1.6. Qualities which make this public plaza sufficient.

Spatial and formal qualities of millennium plaza

The urban design of bahir dar city is designed by German urban designers. The method they used
to follow is to divided the city by grid system so this plaza gain it current shape is a result of this
grid planning system of the city.
 Figure 17: Graphical illustration of the urban corridor

Astatically the millennium plaza has straight corners which follow the plantation within the same
height along the streets which makes an amazing green perspective. Without losing the spatial
and visual continuities, these trees define the area. Most of the trees have the same height in
approximation and when we compare them to an average human height, they are at least eight
times bigger than average human height.

The other qualities of this plaza is it wideness which helps people comes at this point to relax and
refresh and also the green ground invite to rest, play, sleep on it having shade of this giant
eucalyptus tree.

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 Figure 18: Google earth top view image of bahir dar city partially

Dominate impressions of the millennium plaza

45There are several natural and architectural elements which dominate and define this
millennium plaza. The most dominant and best element on the site is this eucalyptus (bahir zaf)
trees, arranged linearly in west and south side of the plaza. The other dominate element is the
sitting stairs around the playing court. The asphalt paved playing court is the ground which most
of the people gather for playing football or basketball.

Figure 19: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing Figure 20: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing
condition condition and youngsters playing on the filed
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 4.1.7. Accesses to millennium plaza
Bahir dar millennium plaza located adjacent to the main road of the city in the southern side
which has direct route coming from Addis Ababa. Several streets feed this road. This plaza is
also adjacent to main road in north east side. Tertiary (coble stone) surrounded the plaza from
north and west side. In general this plaza has best location to be accessed in any direction.

Figure 21: Graphical illustration to show accesses to the plaza

Figure 23: photo taken by researcher, shows the existing Figure 22: photo taken by researcher, shows the
36 | Pand
condition a gnorth
e east accesses
existing condition and secondary accesses
4.1.8. Approximation of the millennium plaza
Location of this millennium plaza can be said the best in respect to approximation, it means it
has fare distance from any end side of bahir dar city. And many residential houses have a
walking distance from the millennium plaza, so that in everyday and any time of day this plaza
hosts people. Within 3km radius the plaza can be reached for most of bahir dar city peoples.

Figure 24: Graphical illustration to show approximate to the plaza

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Result from Questionnaires

18% once a week

33%
9%
How often dose people come to this plaza? daily
40%
once in a month

rarely

To recreate
Why do people come to this plaza?
25% 31% to have a good
17% breath
27% to meet friends

to play soccer or
basket ball

What does people like most about BAHIR DAR

the basket court
millennium plaza?
30% 24%
the sitting or
landscape elements
32% green vegetation
14%
the view towards
the surrounding

What dose BAHIR DAR millennium plaza luck? security

25% 37%
sanitation
15%
23%
green vegetation

light inside the

plaza

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Conclusions
In general conclusion, this study indicates that the millennium plaza have a positive attitude and
give emphasis to the quality of nature and necessity of urban spaces for cities.

The current situation of the plaza is more as a functional space for bahir dar city youngsters and
for those people around this plaza. And people come to this space to perceive and sit around
because of its thermal comfort. The location and plantation attractiveness of the places strongly
influence the people‘s perceptions.

Considering the value of open space in three parameters which are environmental, Social and
economic benefits, the environmental value of the millennium plaza is implacable because of it
direct connection with bahir dar green belt which is extended from LAKE TANA.

Trees this plaza has decorative horticultural values in addition to that could help for cooling the
air and giving shade for the space. The plaza is more or less good in supporting the social value;
the communities’ use the space for any social affairs.

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Findings
 This millennium plaza preferred by most of bahir dar city peoples is because of its
thermal comfort which is the result from the direct ventilation comes through the
urban corridor created to ventilate bahir dar stadium.
 The play ground mostly functions between 10-12 o’clock in local day time because
the play ground is exposed for harsh sun.
 Most of the peoples spend time this plaza from out of bahir dar city place of birth
because this plaza help them to communicate and socialize with other people and it
also helps them stand day time heat under the shade of this (bahr zaf) trees.
 Only the youngster of the bahir dar city uses this public plaza because of the limited
activities which takes place in this space.
 The plaza has a very good robustness nature to serve different types of activities for
example, for concert, exhibition, recreational activities, sport tournaments and
trainings and also political demarcation etc….
 The fences (ginb) bound the plaza limits the quality of this urban space to invite,
interact and perceive its quality.
 One of the best quality found on this plaza is it plantation trees (bahir zaf),
approximately this trees has height up to 8 meter and their leaf are mostly on top
part so it allows to see trough the plaza and there orientation is from south was
direction which makes is the correct potation were they need the most

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Recommendation
Introduction
Beyond assessing and evaluating bahir dra millanium plaza open spaces , the aim of this study
is also to make suggestions on the plaza in order to improve its weaknesses and to protect or
enhance its positive attributes.

What should be done to make the plaza standardize and used by all group
of people?
Within the framework of the study carried out at millennium plaza, issues regarding the different
activities and objects; accessibility, security, and distribution have been assessed and evaluated.
According to the results these plaza have problems related to its spatial quality. Therefore; in
order to improve its quality, the plaza must be formulated and implemented with contemporary
planning approaches.

The first approach is to identify and provide other suitable functional. This plaza serve for
different purposes like exhibition, concert and sport activities are the major functions so pavilion
is most suitable to have in this plaza. the fence which bound the plaza is minimizing its quality
and connection with neighbor activities so by eliminating this fence can be create more intimated
plaza.

To increase the use of millennium plaza on day time, it is needed to provide shading structure on
the playing field simultaneously it can be iconic structure and monument for the city.

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የባህርዳር ሚሊኒየም ፕላዛ ለሚጎበኙ የተዘጋጀ መጠይቅ

1. ወደዚህ ፕላዛ መቼ መቼ ይመጣሉ?

ሀ. ቤየሳምንቱ ለ. በየቀኑ ሐ. በየወሩ መ. አንድ አንዴ
2. ምን ለማድረግ ወደዚህ ፕላዛ ይመጣሉ?
ሀ. ለመዝናናት ለ. ጥሩ አየር ለመዉሰድ
ሐ. ጓደኞችን ለማግኘት መ. ለመጫወት
ሌላ ካለ ዘርዝር
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……
3. ከዚህ ሚሊኒየም ፕላዛ ምኑን በተለየ ይመስጥቶታል?
ሀ. ቅርጫት መጫወቻዉ ለ. የመሬት አቀማመጡ ወይም መቀመጫዉ
ሐ. አረንጓዴ ተክሎች መ. የቦታዉ እይታ
ሌላ ካለ ዘርዝር
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……
4. በእርሶ አመለካከት የባህርዳር ሚሊኒየም ፕላዛ ምን ይጎድለዋል?
ሀ. የደህንነት ጉዳይ ለ. የመሰረተ ልማት እጥረት
ሐ. በቂ የሆነ አረንጓዴ ተክሎች አለመኖር
መ. የሠዉሰራሽ መብራት አለመኖር
ሌላ ካለ ዘርዝር
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……
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5. ምን አይነት የህዝብ መዝናኛ ይመርጣሉ ወይም ይመኛሉ?
ሀ. ጥሩ አየር የሚገኝበት ለ. የባህል ዝግጅት የሚደረግበት
ሐ. የስራ እድል የሚፈጠርበት መ. የፖለቲካ ዝግጅት የሚደረግበት
ሌላ ካለ ዘርዝር
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……

Questionnaires
Questionnaires to visitors of millennium plaza
1. How often did you come to this plaza?
A .once a week B. daily C. once in a month D. rarely
Explain if there are other than this
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. Why do you come to this plaza?
Explain if there are other than this
A .To recreate B. to have a good breath
C. to meet friends D. to play soccer or basket ball
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. What do you like most about bahir dar millennium plaza?
Explain if there are other than this
A .the basket court B. the sitting or landscape elements
C. green vegetation D. the view towards the surrounding
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. In your opinion what kind is bahir dar millennium plaza luck?
Explain if there are other than this
A .security B. sanitation
C. green vegetation D. light inside the plaza

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 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What kind of public space do you prefer or wish for?
Explain if there are other than this
A .good breathing area B. cultural festival area
C. better recreational area D. to create area with good job opportunity
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Questionnaires for selected officials of the town municipality

I. Personal information

a. Department of the officials

Urban beautification & green spaces study & monitoring
b. Position in the town municipality
Officer
c. Total work experience in the municipality
Four years

1. Total population and public open spaces in the city?

I. Total population of the town ………………………………………
Male………………………………………
Female……………………………………
II. Total number of public spaces in the city of bahir dar
Government 5 public spaces and 2 plazas
Shumabo ,picoc , convention center, meros park
Private 1 public spaces called agare menafesha
2. What are the major conditions which can be considered as strengthens of bahir dar
millennium plaza?
Location, access, sitting (street furniture’s) less building mass, green belt
3. What are the major conditions which can be considered as weaknesses of bahir dar
millennium plaza?
Sanitation, treatment, security

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 4. How many people can use or accommodate this plaza at a time?
More than 6000 people
5. Does the municipality propose different or new function for this space? If any?
no just modification and additional street furniture’s
6. Is the municipality open for new proposal design for this plaza?
If there is any it’s open

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Design proposal

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Pavilion
section

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Pavilion section

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3d views

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