Arada-Piassa fighting from a grave

By Yared Haile-Meskel

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A new exhibition in Birmingham, England, aims to shed light on the recent demolition of Arada-Piassa, the historic heart of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The exhibition, titled “Remembering Arada: a new exhibition on the demolition of Addis Ababa city center in Birmingham” will take place from 7 to 18 March 2024 at Birmingham City Hall.

The exhibition is a timely response to the ongoing demolition of more than 100-year-old buildings in Addis Ababa that has resulted in the “destruction of the soul of the city,” as described by Dr. Di Nunzio, Associate Professor of Anthropology Urban. who has studied Addis Ababa extensively.

“The destruction of Arada is something that should concern us all,” said Dr. Di Nunzio. “It is about the tragic impact of large-scale demolitions on communities, livelihoods and people. Unfortunately, this is a common story in Addis Ababa. “These types of interventions in urban form are the result of a lack of imagination about how we can make our cities more just and liveable for residents.”

The article states that “many residents were reported to have received little or no notice before their homes and businesses were demolished.”

“Arada has recently made international headlines as the initiative to regenerate the area has resulted in devastation, with the historic soul of the town being completely demolished in March this year,” Dr Di Nunzio said.

It is hoped that the exhibition will attract visitors and generate more research on the topic. It serves as a warning, highlighting the need for inclusive and thoughtful urban planning that takes into account the needs and perspectives of local communities.

“The destruction of the soul of the city” is not a kind word that academics often use if they don’t mean it. So the million dollar questions are: how is it possible that someone in Addis Ababa municipality did not realize this or became complicit in the destruction of the soul of the city?

Why do academics who claim to have PhDs talk for hours about urbanism have nothing to say?

Why were there no consultations with the experts, the community and the elected representatives of the people of Addis Ababa? Was there a debate on the topic? In the coming years, even more questions will arise, such as the reason behind this. It can also lead to apportionment of blame and criminal investigations, such as abuse of power and decisions made without proper consultation and legal framework. Who really has the constitutional right to demolish Addis Ababa in whole or in part?

Of course, the exhibition serves as a reminder that the preservation of a city’s heritage and the well-being of its residents must be at the forefront of urban development efforts. And will many more articles and books be written using Addis Ababa as a test case?

The story of the Arada-Piassa demolition will no doubt continue to be a topic of debate and research, and will serve as a warning to urban planners and policymakers around the world.

We may be afraid to say what it is for fear of repression, but those responsible for the demolition of Arada-Piassa will be remembered for their lack of foresight and their disregard for the historical and cultural importance of the city.

The lessons we learn are two:

First, when politicians think and act as rulers rather than servants of the people, they often fail to consult the people to benefit from the collective wisdom of the community, leading to decisions that can have detrimental and long-lasting effects.

The second lesson is that rulers do not choose how they are remembered. Every king and president wants to be remembered for the good he accomplished. But History records it all and points out a significant impact that remains in the minds of the population. For example, Yodit Gudit may have done many good things during his 40-year rule, but he is remembered for only one thing. Your guess is as good as mine.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on the writer’s social media page.

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