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In early 2024, widespread demolitions transformed Addis Ababa’s historic Piassa neighborhood. However, it also displaced thousands of residents with minimal notice. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s urban renewal agenda, aimed at attracting foreign investment, prioritizes grand projects like urban parks, real estate developments, and a new palace. However, this development has come at the expense of residents, who are often left displaced without compensation. Many homes and businesses have been demolished, and evicted farmers and locals faced violent removal by security forces. While the projects promise modernization, they exacerbate economic inequality, leaving many residents impoverished. Critics argue that to create a just city, the government must protect residents’ rights to the city, strengthen landholding laws, and engage affected communities in decision-making. Without these reforms, Addis Ababa’s transformation risks widening the wealth gap.
SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION