Neighbourhood Open Spaces : Co-production and Spatial Transformation in Addis Ababa

Abstract

The open spaces of a city are its lungs. They are places for people to exercise and carry out social activities, they influence the water cycle, and have considerable impact on air quality. In the developed world, companies are attracted to locations that offer well-designed, well-managed public spaces and these in turn attract customers, employees, and services (Byrne and Sipe 2010) . The presence of green parks, squares, gardens, and other public spaces in urban areas have therefore become vital marketing tools. Well-planned areas with green open spaces offer benefits to the local economy in terms of raising real-estate prices (ibid. ) . Open spaces facilitate social communication, relaxation and recreation, and promote trade and tourism (Thompson 2002) . Open spaces are among a city’s most valuable assets that are threatened by rapid urban transformation. Protecting these open spaces and maintaining sustainable...