The PIE stimulus paper on Addis Ababa [1], written by Professor Ezana Amdework, Chair of the Department of Sociology, Addis Ababa University, is the fifth stimulus paper on African cities and joins stimulus papers for Dar es Salaam [2], Kampala [3], Dakar [4], and Gaborone [5]. In their cumulative impact they provide broad insights into the critical challenge of building sustainable learning cities in Africa.
Professor Amdework provides a useful historical overview of the development of Addis Ababa from its origins in 1887, and then takes up a selection of the key challenges confronting sustainable urbanisation in the city. Like the other African cities in PIE, Addis Ababa has been challenged by large scale migration from rural areas and rapid population growth, from half a million in 1961 to 3 million by 2011.
This has led to unemployment problems, pressure on urban services and amenities, and considerable urban decay and slums. Professor Amdework outlines a number of responses adopted including establishment of micro and small businesses and inner city renewal.
The issues listed for discussion include responses to continued rural-urban migration and consequent urban sprawl. As these issues are common to all the African cities participating in PIE, it is hoped that responses to this paper will draw on the full range of PIE experience.
This is a valuable contribution to the growing PIE knowledge base on African cities. The learning city approach is still at an early stage of development in Africa, and much is to be gained by sharing ideas and experience in working towards approaches well conditioned to African conditions.
A paper by Professor Abel Ishumi and myself on Prospects for Learning Cities in Africa, based on PIE experience, is now available in a book published by NIACE on Community Engagement in African Universities [6]. A further paper on the role of learning cities in the rejuvenation of Africa by Dr Idawo Biao, Dr Josephine Esaete, and Dr Joseph Oonyu is in final stages of development directed at taking this emerging dialogue on learning cities in Africa further.
In this context, the paper by Professor Amdework is particularly welcome. I hope it stimulates further exchanges on good directions for learning cities in Africa.