Enhancing Livability of Squares and Streets: The Case of Romanat District, Mekelle CBD, Mekelle, Tigray. M.Sc. thesis in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design Author: Sara Amare Advisors: Hailu Worku (Ph.D.) : Fasil Giorghis (M.Sc.) Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development, Addis Ababa University May, 2014 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia This thesis is submitted to the Ethiopian institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EiABC), Addis Ababa University; in the Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design. Title of Thesis: Enhancing Livability of Squares and Streets: the case of Romanat District, Mekelle CBD, Tigray. By: Sara Amare May, 2014 Approved by Board of Examiners:- Hailu Worku (Ph.D.) ____________________ _____________ Advisor Signature Date Fasil Giorghis (M.Sc.) _________________ ____________ Advisor Signature Date Heyaw Terefe (Ph.D.) ___________________ ______________ Internal Examiner Signature Date DestaAlem Haileselassie (M.Sc.) ___________________ ______________ External Examiner Signature Date Fisseha Wegayehu (Ph.D.) ____________________ ______________ Chair Person Signature Date DECLARATION I hereby declare that all the information in this document has been obtained and presented in accordance with academic rules and ethical conduct. I also declare that, as required by these rules and conduct, I have fully cited and referenced all material and results that are not original to this work. Student`s Name: Sara Amare Signature: _____________ Date: _____________ CONFIRMATION The thesis can be submitted for examination with my approval as an Institute`s advisor. Advisors’ Name: Dr. Hailu Worku; Mr. Fasil Giorghis Signature: ___________________________ Date: ____________________________ ii ABSTRACT Livability of CBD squares and streets should be enhanced; so that, the users’ dependency on the indoor catering facilities to spend time and the preference of motorized modes even for short trips will be optional or based on specific personal preferences. This study aims to understand the livability problems of Romanat district and to be familiar with the design which is proposed to reduce the livability problems. This study has adapted a case study based exploratory and quasi-experimental research approach, to draw a comprehensive result. The analysis, discussion and interpretation of the study results are made according to the theory which focuses mainly on the livability variables, on the public space user groups and activity groups. The study findings indicate that the existing livability problem of the district is because of the lack of spatial attributes such as safety, amenities, aesthetics, identity, diversity in space uses and users, variety in the accommodating activities, accessibility, linkage, inclusive environment and talk-scape environment. The findings also indicate that comfort, image, use and activities of the district are the most preferred spatial attributes which have to be incorporated in the design of future livable district. In line with those findings, this study has proposed four major conceptual design objectives: to produce a comfortable district with its own unique image; to produce a district with multiple uses and diversity of activities; to produce an accessible district with good linkage; and to produce a district that can reinforce social interactions. Besides, the study has proposed possible implementation and management options, which can be responsive to the produced design. Keywords: Livability, spatial attribute, comfort, image, use, activity, access, linkage, sociability i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Thanks GOD! Then, I would like to express my gratitude as below for the kind help of individuals that made the completion of the study possible. First I would like to thank and appreciate my advisors Dr. Hailu Worku and Mr. Fasil Giorghis for the guidance and support they provided to finalize my thesis. I have benefited much from the discussions and consultations, and from the comments I have received at those effective meetings. Again, I have seen their amazing rationality on the time we had. They were fully committed and responsible throughout the completion of the study. I want to thank also Mr. Wondifraw Fikadu, who was my previous advisor, for the guidance he provided on the conception and development of the study. Second, I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Solomon Hailu (former manager of Mekelle Municipality) for the information and direction he gave me on whom to contact for all my data interests. Thirdly, I would like to thank Mr. Birhane Kebede and Mr. Amanuel W/gerima (from Mekelle municipality), Mr. Tsegay G/kidan (from Tigray Mass Media), Mr. Ykum Haile (from Fm 104.4 Mekelle), Mr.T /Haimanot & Mr. Bogale (from Tigray Culture and Tourism Agency) and Head Inspector Afera (from Mekelle traffic police commission). I would like to thank my colleagues from Mekelle University, for their support on providing necessary materials. Thanks are also for all the respondents who kindly participated in the study. I also would like to thank my friends; Aziti, Ephi, Zeme, Alexo, Sol & Belaya, they made my life interesting. I would like to thank my family for their patience, specially my brother Solomon for his presence and my sister Hareya for the endless support she gave me. Last but not least I would like to thank my fiancé Niguse Sibhatu for his love and care; and I am heart fully thankful for all the suggestions, comments and motivations he provided in all the discussions we had. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................................. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................ ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ........................................................................................................................... v List of Figures.......................................................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................................... vii ACRONYMS............................................................................................................................................................. viii CHAPTER ONE .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. Background of the Study ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Statement of the problem .......................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Objective of the study ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.4. Research questions ................................................................................................................................... 5 1.5. Significance of the study ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.6. Scope and limitations ................................................................................................................................. 6 1.7. Organization of the paper .......................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.1. The research issue ..................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Selection of research method ................................................................................................................... 8 2.3. Research design ......................................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................................................... 16 3. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 16 3.2. Livability, livable city ................................................................................................................................