Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Urban planning is a systematic, creative way to influence the future of neighborhoods, cites, rural and metropolitan areas. Urban planning is a technical and political process concerned with the development and design of land use and the built environment, Page 9 of 85 including air, water, and the infrastructure passing into and out of urban areas, such as transportation, communications, and distribution networks. Urban planners use their professional skills to serve communities facing social, economic, environmental, and cultural challenges.
Program Description
Urbanization has become a way of life even in Developing Countries such as Ethiopia and will continue to play a dominant role in shaping the future of the economy and society. Yet, the number and the quality of professionals in the field of urban planning are not sufficient enough to meet the challenges of rapid urbanization, metropolitization and globalization. It is therefore with this understanding that we propose the revision of the curriculum for the proposed new Urban and Regional Planning program within the EiABC of the Addis Ababa University. It is indeed intended to provide the framework for further debate, discussion and incite contributions from other concerned institutions of higher education.
Rationale, Objectives, Outcome of the Program
Program Rationale
Planning is the guidance of future actions. Urban and regional planning and corresponding laws and by-laws are, therefore, activities carried out to guide socio-economic and spatial development of a planning area. In Ethiopia until recently there were no regulatory provisions to guide the preparation and implementation of urban and regional development plans.
Objectives
The general objective of the program is to train Urban and Regional Planners equipped with conceptual and practical knowledge and skill to carry out regional and urban development activities including preparations of Action, Strategic, Structural, Local Development Plans (LDP) and other statutory Urban and Regional Development Plans.
Program Outcome
The urban planner is a professional that deals with change and planning the future. Together with key actors of the local and regional society, economy and culture and on the basis of federal and regional law, the planner produces a variety of future plans at the different spatial scales ranging from local to regional and interregional. He moderates the processes of implementing these plans.
Programs Detail
Head of Department
Rabira Becho
Urban & Regional Planning Department Head
Email: rabbibech@gmail.com