Sidewalks in Addis Ababa: Abandoned?

 By worku Belachew

Going on foot is the most common way of transportation in Addis. This is not, of course, out of pedestrians choice, but quite a number of them could not either afford public transport or due to the current roaring scarcity of transportation.

A recently conducted study has revealed, inter alia, that the presently available modes of public transportation have addressed a demand for only 2.2 million people in Addis Ababa. And it is estimated that there is a 1.4 million transport service coverage demand gap in the city. Accordingly, 60 per cent of residents are pedestrians while 11 per cent and 20.6 per cent use bus and taxi respectively. The rest 3.3 per cent uses private, government and non -government vehicles.

 Walking in such situation would rather raise one's blood pressure than giving pleasure

Compared to other cities of developed countries such as London and New York, the East African City, Addis Ababa, could be lucky for the majority of its residents are pedestrians, which significantly lowers emissions from vehicles. A good number of Addis Ababa residents face transport challenges while they are moving from place to place. Plainly speaking, walking in Addis is becoming a situation that raises one's blood pressure, than giving pleasure. Handfuls of reasons can be mentioned to back this assertion. In some cases, it seems that pertinent bodies that have engaged in road construction seem to fail ensure that adequate and standard pavements are available. In some places, even the relatively modern arterial roads' pavements are poorly designed and constructed. In short, it is to say that the pavements are too narrow. There are people who use wheelchairs, crutch or parents and guardians who need to assist their kids, or the disabled on a baby carriages, without proper pavements. By the way, the latter should not be understood as a luxury, it is people's preference. To make the issue in discussion worse, billboards, cafes, liquor houses and street vendors compete these narrowly built pavements. The issue is becoming a serious one which the pertinent bodies are giving it a blind eye on the contrary.

In addition to the barriers mentioned above, another gravely disastrous problem is arising recently. Some investors are totally ignoring their social responsibility. Firstly, they build high skyscrapers almost on the pavements. Some skyscrapers appear to be waiting for a taxi with passengers as built close to the through ways. Secondly, the remaining pedestrians way is arbitrarily used for a parking lot for their customers. This is too worrisome. And it ignites at least two questions: Have the city lost its master plan enforcing bodies and what does the design and construction body do in this regard?

Another funny abuse of pavements is attributable for both private and government institutions. Nowadays, prohibiting pedestrians to walk on some pavements adjacent to some institutions for security reason is a fashion compounding traffic jam. In fact, some government institutions and embassies apply that to tighten the security of the institutions. This is also for the security of the country and citizens. But, other government and private institutions also practice that without any convincing reasons. And this calls for the legislation of blocking partial pavements in this regard.

Actually, the barriers mentioned above are few among the many cases. Meanwhile, another worth mentioning issue is that even the available sidewalks do not get proper and timely maintenance. Imagine how it affects mobility late alone for persons with disabilities and for senior citizens.

Poor designing and construction as well as unbefitting usage of pavements not only set mobility difficulties, it is also one of the major causes of vehicular accidents in the capital, which has already become an elevated cause of public health threat. Most accidents involve pedestrians as the pavements are victimized by the various menaces treated so far.

In conclusion, the diplomatic hub of Africa which has been playing various historic roles for the entire African continent should not entertain poor designing and construction of pavements. It is a hard fact that road construction in the city is booming than ever before. That is a plus! Hence, road construction that has given little or no attention to sidewalks would have no meaning. The construction of the roads need to meet international standards, thereby, meeting the demands of pedestrians. In so doing, the capital would get a better look and the emission of traffic fumes would be at minimum. Above all, pedestrians would not be exposed to vehicular accidents. Being that the case, the city administration need to see into itself and try to fit every construction with the city's master plan.

(The writer originally produced this piece as editorial, published this April 6 on The Ethiopian Herald)