Addis Ababa's ongoing, extensive corridor development projects are dramatically reshaping the capital, revitalizing previously neglected heritage sites for public access, and transforming polluted river areas into burgeoning tourist destinations, Mayor Adanech Abiebie announced. The initiatives are significantly boosting the city's appeal and urban landscape.
Illustrative examples cited by the mayor include the renovation and opening of heritage sites in areas such as Piassa, Arat Kilo, Churchill Street, and the municipality surroundings. This renewed focus on heritage has led to an increase in visits from both domestic and international tourists, with previously hidden historical treasures being restored and protected, and their management strengthened.
Beyond heritage preservation, the mayor highlighted the substantial contribution of the corridor development to alleviating major urban challenges. She pointed to improvements in the city's green cover, enhanced traffic flow, reduced parking difficulties, and a decrease in traffic accidents as tangible benefits of the projects.
Mayor Adanech also praised the efficiency and collaboration demonstrated by infrastructural institutions involved in the corridor development, noting their ability to initiate and complete projects rapidly, fostering a culture of continuous, around-the-clock work.
She emphasized that the success of the corridor development underscores the potential for achieving significant progress through dedicated effort, challenging the notion that substantial urban change requires prolonged cultural shifts before development can take hold.
Turning to the city's waterways, Mayor Adanech recalled a time when the rivers had lost their natural beauty and become sources of health hazards due to dried-up and contaminated sources and sewage, negatively impacting residents living nearby.
She affirmed that the corridor development has fundamentally transformed these areas, changing the riversides from problem zones into appealing tourist and recreational spots. The ongoing infrastructure development along the rivers is set to bring about further significant positive changes, solidifying their new role as key attractions within the city, according to ENA.