Meskel Square

Demera pit

Meskel Square Update

#Wondyerad Mamo

Our last visit to Meskel site marked the commencement of the foundation works with a few remaining tasks on excavation and soil protection works. Since then, significant amount of structural work have taken place. The second and final slab level is being casted. The 22,500sqm slab has been zoned into 10 working sections by taking advantage of non structural joints and all forces are focused on making this grand public space ready for the 2013 Demera ceremony as the time unforgivably advances forward.

The project had introduced new time and cost efficient soil protection system called Soil Nailing which helped reduce a considerable amount of time during the excavation period. This technology, Soil Nailing is probably used here for the first time in the country. The technique is a rapid, economical and least destructive means of providing excavation support systems. Unlike the customary pile shoring system, soil nailing construction sequence begins with excavation of a shallow cut, then shot-crete is applied to the face of the cut and soil nails are drilled and grouted with concrete accordingly.

One section of the slab roughly about 3000sqm is being casted within a max-

MESKEL SQUARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IMAGE: HIMICK

IMAGE: LEULSEGED TIBEBU

imum of 7 to 10days including the formwork plank development. The props and form work are being put in place as fast as an average of 1000sqm/day. All the formwork and props are prefabricated and made ready as per the shop drawing in China. Parallel works are facilitated by introducing a number of independent subcontractors with construction joints provided to avoid delayed transition between zones.

The plan is therefore to finish the prime Demera ritual area and an additional 250m buffer space surrounding it. In light of the recent global pandemic, the num

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ber of participants for this year’s ceremony is expected to be limited. The Church’s Betekihnet committee has also payed a visit to the site and is making its own preparation to work in conjunction with the consultant and contractor’s team towards a reasonable plan of action for the event.

The newly assigned deputy mayor has reportedly been rigorously following up the status of the construction on a daily basis. The preparation for the 2013 Meskel festival is underway to serve limited attendees with the necessary safety measures and appropriated scenery furnishings.

ADDIS HALL OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM IMAGE: SOLAN KIFLE

Addis Hall Hall of Architeture & Urbanism Article > Amanuel Samuel

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Addis Hall of Architecture and Urbanism is a new space designed to bridge the information gap and serve as a public discussion space inaugurated by His Excellency Engineer Takele Uma on the 23 rd of June, 2020. Initiated by the mayor’s office in collaboration with architecture and urban planning professionals, this comes as a move to break the mold of previous patterns and really include the public by providing a space where they can review, question, challenge and/or contribute to some of the on going mega projects of the city.

Addis Hall

Mesqel Square ADDIS HALL EXHIBITION SPACE IMAGE: HIMICK

Vi llage Cafe N

Africa Avenue Urael

The capital has been the beacon of transformation and a model city to other major cities throughout the country. Now, however, the side effects of some projects from over five years ago have began to show. For so long the driving factor for public projects has been the numbers as they become problems that couldn’t be ignored anymore. Huge housing developments are the prime examples responsible for such heavy traffic jams and transportation issues unlike which the city has ever seen. The light railway track is another example that has divided

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neighborhoods and affected businesses. Cutting multistory buildings for side walk expansions is a prevalent practice which affects households, businesses and collectively tax revenues leaving them unfinished, bare and dusty due to lack of funds afterwards.

All these problems could have been foreseen partially or fully and measures would’ve been taken if these ambitious undertakings were challenged in time. Moreover, the government would also have benefited by saving future expenses

ADDIS HALL OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM IMAGE: SOLAN KIFLE

‘‘ the former square garden café has been rehabilitated into a pristine hall where ideas are presented, discussions are made and coffee is sipped. ’’