Revitalizing Riverbank Informal Settlements

With attention to climatic issues specific to Addis Ababa region, “Revitalizing Riverbank Informal Settlements” targets the overlooked aspects of housing conditions by the riverbanks. Highlighting the alarming disconnect between the city and the Bulbula river, this investigation explores approaches to urban development strategies that are more considerate to the region’s continuously neglected waterway ecosystems. With the objective of breaking down these barriers between river and city, van Eijs proposes a neighborhood that builds upon a dwelling landscape capable of integrating and reconnecting the river to its people. Dedicating special attention to relevant aspects such as annual flooding, sewage waste, landslides and waterside inaccessibility, the project not only proposes an activated river landscape ideal to hosting collective activities, but also exposes key tools to purify and restore the river.