URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AND HERITAGE IN ADISS ABEBA CBD THEORETICAL APPROACH AND FRAME WORK FOR NATIONAL THEATRE AREA

Abstract

Addis Ababa faces significant challenges in safeguarding its cultural heritage as rapid urban development threatens historic sites and neighborhoods. This research seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for integrating urban heritage into redevelopment strategies, aiming to preserve cultural identity while fostering sustainable urban growth. The study critically reviews existing heritage protection policies, evaluating their practical strengths and limitations. Although the value of urban heritage is increasingly recognized, there is a notable gap in actionable frameworks that embed conservation within ongoing redevelopment, especially in fast-changing African cities like Addis Ababa. Employing a mixed-methods approach���including in-depth interviews, case studies, and quantitative community surveys���the research assesses perspectives on heritage preservation and the effectiveness of current practices. Key findings highlight that weak regulatory enforcement, limited community engagement, and poor institutional coordination contribute to ongoing heritage depletion. Financial constraints and insufficient public-private collaboration further impede conservation efforts. In response, the study proposes an integrated framework emphasizing institutional capacity-building, stronger public-private partnerships, and the inclusion of heritage conservation in urban planning policies. The framework also advocates for increased community participation by incorporating traditional knowledge into collaborative decision-making. The research delivers strategic interventions and practical policy recommendations to harmonize sustainable urban redevelopment with the protection of cultural heritage. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and conservation professionals seeking to ensure that Addis Ababa�۪s development does not come at the expense of its historical and cultural legacy