Addis Ababa, the ‘new flower’, remains one of the most unique capitals of Africa. At an altitude of 2,400 metres above the Great Rift Valley and located at the heart of Ethiopia, its neighbourhoods, which originated from feudal military camps, cover the mountainside where the streams flow down from the forested slopes of Entoto Hill. Under the shadow of the eucalyptus and jacaranda trees, Addis Ababa has realized the utopia of the city in the country. It’s a place where people of different social, cultural, and religious backgrounds live together in harmony.
This book traces the history of Addis Ababa’s development and the lifestyles of its inhabitants. Starting with its foundation during the reign of Emperor Menelik, 120 years ago, the book continues through the transformation that marked the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie to the occupation by the Italians, who wanted to make it the prestigious capital of their East African colonies. By elaborating the city’s urban history, this book presents the little-known architectural and human heritage of Addis Ababa. The last part of this book draws our attention to the need to modernize Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia and diplomatic seat of Africa, while integrating its unique cultural heritage by comparing the neighbourhoods of yesterday and today.
Fasil Giorghis, Ethiopian architect and author of this text, has illustrated the drawings and plans in this book. Denis Gérard has collected more than 400 old and new photographs and documents for this work, the majority of which have never been published. |
