Jewel Changi Airport

INNOVATIVE URBAN FARMING FIELD AT ADDIS HALL GARDEN IMAGE: HIMICK because projects will have been thought through and future problems accounted for.

Financial aspect of public projects is also another concern and one of the major is- sues that can be solved through creative thinking. Revenues from public projects can benefit both the public and govern- ment with well-maintained spaces, em- ployment opportunities. Even if the spac- es can’t provide noteworthy revenues, they can opt for alternative outcomes such as inspiring citizenship, promoting creativity, skill developing or any equiva- lent personal and social gains.

The former square garden café & restau- rant has been rehabilitated into a pristine hall where ideas are presented, discus- sions are made and premium coffee is sipped. The space of Addis Hall itself is a testament to what can be achieved if we think of ideas like rehabilitation, recycling and adapting existing structures.

Currently, several projects that are under construction are on display and can be visited during working hours. The place is equipped with plenty of parking space, a coffee shop, public garden, and dis- cussion tables with fast open Wi-Fi. An example of compact urban farming tech- niques can also be found at the backyard to inspire and encourage the practice of harvesting healthy vegetables in a heavi- ly populated city for household consump- tions. The space has started hosting a new series of discussion dubbed ‘Addis Hall Table’ aimed at inviting specific profes- sionals and stakeholders to a customized discussion table that will be named week-

ly based on the group of par- ticipating professionals. So far, three consecutive ta- bles have been hosted; the first of these discussions, Ar- chitects’ Table, was held on the 28 th of July 2020 in collab- oration with the Association of Ethiopian Architects (AEA) on the topic ‘What and Where the city center of Addis Ababa is, how it is conceived, and trans- formed’ followed by the Engi- neers’ & Planners’ Table with topics of ‘What Integrated In- frastructure is’ and ‘Transportations & the City’ respectively.

Addis Hall aims at being the center for public engagement to improve the city by pro- viding a gathering space for officials, architects, planners, engineers, contractors, law- yers, and professionals from multiple disciplines involved in the development of our city. In a time where there are so much public projects, discus- sion and public engagement are much needed subjects to be embodied in such a space.

Ultimately these kind of spac- es will catalyze the setting of new standards for the built environment, architecture and urban planning. Breathing new energy to reach new heights in the construction of projects all over the country. In the end, it will be worth the effort for a better quality of city life.

VISITORS AT ADDIS HALL EXHIBITION IMAGE: HIMICK