Designing for Sustainable and Resilient Neighborhoods: The Case of Peacock Park in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, has dramatically increased in population and land cover over the last decade. This expansion in both population and urbanization has strained the functional capacity of city infrastructure and many parts of the urban population lack access to basic public services. Moreover, this reality is compounded with the increasing negative effects of climate change. Together, these effects will continue to compromise the future of Addis Ababa.This article uncovers the initial outcomes of the “Addis Ababa River City” research project, which aims to create a holistic urban resilience strategy for Ethiopia’s capital through urban and architectural design. This document will address the design methodology and the resulting sustainable infrastructure design proposed for the upper region of the Kebana river. The sustainable infrastructure proposal primarily uses existing ecologies to address and pose solutions to the city’s most urgent urban issues. This text will culminate in highlighting the strategic intervention for Peacock Park, a key site within the sustainable infrastructure wherein a comprehensive redesign of the area proposes a more sustainable and resilient neighborhood.