BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF LAND ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

Spatial negotiation between the new

development & the traditional market
Preserving cultural and social identity, the case of
“Sefene-Selam”

Thesis project submitted to bahir Dar University in

partial fulfillment of BSc. Degree in architecture.

By Bereket Mitiku
Advisor- maelle vandenbergh

Date: 4 march 2019

Bahirdar, Ethiopia

1
 “The marketing behavior should shape our buildings, not the other
way around”.

By Bereket Mitiku
Advisor- maelle vandenbergh

i
Declaration

I declare that the research contained in this thesis was carried out by me. It has not been previously
submitted to this or any other Institution for the award of a degree of any other qualification.

Signature_____________________________

Bereket mitiku,

ii
Abstract

Open air marketing has been practiced around the globe for centuries. In Africa including merkato, there
are plenty of open air markets and holds most of the marketing transaction of the cities.

In bahirdar, there are four open air markets with a number of merchants that lies from 3000- 1500 on
each one of them. These marketing phenomenon is a prominent but is currently being replaced with the
big malls in the city. These market places are social spaces which ties the community, preferred by most
of the people living in the city and give life to the artheficial collection of the central city.

These research started with a question on how we can relate (negotiate) the private investors and the
low standard & informal markets in sefene-selam bahirdar. I argue that there can be a better organization
of markets which can include both the traditional way of marketing with the new.

This research will proceed with analysis on the marketing condition on these places and their limitations
to achieve an area of intervention.

Finally the research will conclude with strategies for better layout of marketing condition and a design
proposal.

iii
Acknowledgment

For where I am now and what I become I first give my deepest gratitude to my almighty God for guiding
me through my journey. I would like to thank my family who always stand beside me with full support
on every step of the way.

My greatest gratitude goes to my advisor maelle vandenbergh who shared her experience and guided
my work on every step.

For all instructors in the department of architecture in BDU, ILA I would like to give my deepest gratitude
for helping me on the research process.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who supported me and my work on my journey.

iv
Table of Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ iii
Acknowledgment ......................................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................................... vii
List of tables ................................................................................................................................................ vii
Chapter One .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Problem statement ................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Motivation................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Rational of the study (social ties and cultural identity) ............................................................ 1
1.4 Objective of the study ............................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Research questions ................................................................................................................... 2
1.6 Benefits/ significance of the study ............................................................................................ 2
1.7 Scope of the study..................................................................................................................... 2
1.8 Methods of the study................................................................................................................ 3
Chapter Two .................................................................................................................................................. 4
2. Literature review............................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 What is the definition of market place? ................................................................................... 4
2.2 History of marketing ................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 In ancient times......................................................................................................................... 4
2.4 In medieval Europe ................................................................................................................... 5
2.5 In the Middle East and Mesoamerica ....................................................................................... 5
2.6 Types of markets ....................................................................................................................... 6
2.7 Markets in Ethiopia ................................................................................................................... 6
2.8 Market in bahirdar .................................................................................................................... 7
2.9 Case study ................................................................................................................................. 9
Chapter 3..................................................................................................................................................... 17
3. Case Area: sefene-selam Market .................................................................................................... 17
3.1 Location ......................................................................................................................................... 17
3.2.1 Center of a city ........................................................................................................................... 17
3.2.2 People gathering place .............................................................................................................. 18
3.2.3 Residence abundance ................................................................................................................ 18
3.3 Site analysis ................................................................................................................................... 19

v
 3.3.1 Land use ..................................................................................................................................... 19
3.3.2 Surrounding................................................................................................................................ 19
3.3.3 Access and transport.................................................................................................................. 20
3.3.4 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 20
3.3.5 The street sellers ........................................................................................................................ 20
3.3.6 Contours ..................................................................................................................................... 21
3.3.7 The type of shades ..................................................................................................................... 21
Finding and implication............................................................................................................................... 25
Chapter 4..................................................................................................................................................... 26
4.1 design proposal report ..................................................................................................................... 26
4.2 Intervention strategies ..................................................................................................................... 26
4.3 Design strategies ........................................................................................................................ 26
4.4 Intervention methodology ......................................................................................................... 27
4.5 Conceptual approach ................................................................................................................. 27
4.6 Strategies .................................................................................................................................... 28
Design output.......................................................................................................................................... 29
References .................................................................................................................................................. 35

vi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: market location .............................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 2: location of merkato...................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 3menalesh tera pic........................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 4learning from menalesh tera ......................................................................................................... 12
Figure 5፡ area of focus ............................................................................................................................... 14
Figure 6 strategy 1 ...................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 7: strategy 2 ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Figure 8: strategy 3 ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 9: strategy 4 ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 10: strategy 5 ................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 11: project location .......................................................................................................................... 17
Figure 12: center of a city ........................................................................................................................... 18
Figure 13: people gathering place & residence abundance ....................................................................... 18
Figure 14: surrounding ................................................................................................................................ 19
Figure 15: mode of transport ...................................................................................................................... 20
Figure 16: street sellers............................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 17: tera' ............................................................................................................................................ 21
Figure 18: intervention methods ................................................................................................................ 27
Figure 19: building site plan ........................................................................................................................ 29
Figure 20: basement plan ........................................................................................................................... 30
Figure 21: ground floor plan ....................................................................................................................... 30
Figure 22: first floor plan ............................................................................................................................ 31
Figure 23: second floor plan ....................................................................................................................... 31
Figure 24: third floor plan ........................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 25: fourth floor plan ......................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 26: building 3D ................................................................................................................................. 34

List of tables
Table 1: market typologies............................................................................................................................ 8
Table 2: number of merchants ..................................................................................................................... 9

vii
 Chapter One

1. Introduction

1.1 Problem statement

Open Air Marketing has been practiced around the globe for centuries. Although big Malls and shopping
centers are being built everywhere now a days, the tradition of open and free marketing has always been
a preference with a majority of people living in a city.

In Africa, including “Merkato” there are plenty of open Air markets which holds most of the marketing
transaction of the cities. But these markets are now being replaced by the modern malls and shopping
centers which only serve a certain social group. These open markets with their own limitations tie the
society, give lives to many small class people and hold the preference of the majority of the society living
in a city.

In Bahirdar, these open markets holds no place in the local development plan and termed informal and
they are constantly being relocated to different places or demolished whenever there is a need to develop
a multi-story building. In the case of “Sefene-Selam” market, there only exist 550 marchents who rented
a shade now the rest are moved to “hidar 11” market located across the river abay 5km away.

If the need to these social ties is noted these research argue an architectural solution could change the
measurement methods.

1.2 Motivation

Walking on the streets of Bahirdar, it is now almost usual to see a lot of people placing random goods on
the walkways, Merchants calling on the people passing by to grab their attention, a loud conversation
between the buyer and sellers and a crowd of people focusing on goods of some merchant. Cities I think
are full of artificial collection if there is no social activities between them. And this ongoing crowd of
interaction in market places motivated this research.

1.3 Rational of the study (social ties and cultural identity)

Ethiopia has been known for the strong social tie which has been the most important factor in lives of the
country. It is the culture of the country. And on the small class society this social tie is most prominent.
Urbanization is taking over most of Ethiopian’s culture and bringing the western in the country. So keeping
places of social gathering must been the frontline of actions.

1
1.4 Objective of the study

The actions mostly taken to informal markets if the land is needed for development is relocation or
complete removal. The value of these places is undeniable as they bring life to the city and give lives to
many small class people. So the main objective of this thesis is to find a better way to preserve these
socially, culturally valuable places so that there can be a solution without destroying these social places.

1.5 Research questions

Market and social interaction has been the two faces of a coin in Ethiopian history. How do we preserve
our economic and social base of the country without stopping the urban need of growth?

“Downtown is for people” Jane Jacobs. Stated when implying the significance of social urban activities in
cities. What will be left in middle of Bahirdar city if we keep pushing out the people who are filling it with
different social activities?

Culture is in the people who live by it. The modern urban structure is losing the value of history and
identity of cities. What will our urban cities represent if we destroy the base of our identity?

How can we start a development on both interest of the investors and the low standard & informal
markets in “Sefene-Selam” market keeping the cultural identity and social tie of the area?

1.6 Benefits/ significance of the study

This study hopes to change the trend of continuous development of multi- story buildings with
demolishment of the existing identity. All that is left when a multi-story building is built on an existing
market place is becoming the artheficial concrete mass and nothing more. This market places hold a great
history inside them. They shows the cities identity and culture. These research argue that this places hold
far more significance than the outer look of unorganized crowd of activities. They are the cities identity.
They show the common people interaction and socialize the space. These places are lives to many small
class people and are used by most of the surrounding people around the area. Keeping this places might
be as valuable as preserving history.

1.7 Scope of the study

The types of markets in Bahirdar are 4 in number and are different in nature with difference in location
and nature of activities. This research focus on finding a better way of development on the market called
“Sefene-Selam” located in the center of the city. This particular market place is facing rapid development
of multi-story buildings with limited focus on the merchants selling in there. The area is currently on the
interest of investors for development of same kind of buildings and the area will soon lose the current
socially active look and be filled with the collection of these new buildings.

2
 The area is a center in its place and a connection point for all of people living in the city. The market in
the area have a long history and gave lives to many people on the area. This research focus on a better
development of this market place.

1.8 Methods of the study

The research will follow the basic steps of data collection steps as a first procedure. Data will be collected
from the city administration about these areas and a proper site inventory will be carried out. The site will
be carefully analyzed and interviews and questionnaires will be carried out for more study of the area. A
proper secondary data will be used for proper analysis of the case and these will be used on the methods
of solution findings.

3
 Chapter Two
2. Literature review

2.1 What is the definition of market place?

A market, or marketplace, is a location where people regularly gather for the purchase and sale of
provisions, livestock, and other goods. In different parts of the world, a market place may be described as
a souk (from the Arabic), bazaar (from the Persian), a fixed mercado (Spanish), or
itinerant tianguis (Mexico), or palengke (Philippines). Some markets operate daily and are said to
be permanent markets while others are held once a week or on less frequent specified days such as
festival days and are said to be periodic markets.

The form that a market adopts is depends on its locality's population, culture, ambient and geographic
conditions. The term market covers many types of trading, as market squares, market halls and food halls,
and their different varieties. Due to this, marketplaces can be situated both outdoors and indoors.

2.2 History of marketing

Markets have existed since ancient times. Some historians have argued that a type of market has existed
since humans first began to engage in trade. Open air, public markets were known in ancient Babylonia,
Assyria, Phoenicia, Greece, Egypt and on the Arabian Peninsula. However, not all societies developed a
system of markets. The Greek historian, Herodotus noted that markets did not evolve in ancient Persia.

Across the Mediterranean and Aegean, a network of markets emerged from the early Bronze Age. A vast
array of goods were traded including: salt, lapiz-lazuli, dyes, cloth, metals, pots, ceramics, statues, spears
and other implements. Archaeological evidence suggests that Bronze Age traders segmented trade routes
according to geographical circuits. Both produce and ideas travelled along these trade routes

In the Middle-East, documentary sources suggest that a form of bazaar first developed around 3,000 BCE.
Bazaars occupied a series of alleys along the length of the city, typically stretching from one city gate to a
different gate on the other side of the city. The bazaar at Tabriz, for example, stretches along 1.5
kilometers of street and is the longest vaulted bazaar in the world. Moosavi argues that the Middle-
Eastern bazaar evolved in a linear pattern, whereas the market places of the West were more
centralised.The Greek historian, Herodotus, noted that in Egypt, roles were reversed compared with other
cultures and Egyptian women frequented the market and carried on trade, while the men remain at home
weaving cloth. He also described as The Babylonian Marriage Market.

2.3 In ancient times

In antiquity, markets were typically situated in the town's center. The market was surrounded by
alleyways inhabited by skilled artisans, such as metal-workers, leather workers and carpenters. These
artisans may have sold wares directly from their premises, but also prepared goods for sale on market
days. Across ancient Greece market places (agorai) were to be found in most city states, where they
operated within the agora (open space). Between 550 and 350 BCE, Greek stallholders clustered together
according to the type of goods carried - fish-sellers were in one place, clothing in another and sellers of

4
 more expensive goods such as perfumes, bottles and jars were located in a separate building. The Greeks
organized trade into separate zones, all located near the city center and known as stoa. A freestanding
colonnade with a covered walkway, the stoa was both a place of commerce and a public promenade,
situated within or adjacent to the agora. At the market-place (agorai) in Athens, officials were employed
by the government to oversee weights, measures, and coinage to ensure that the people were not
cheated in market place transactions.

In ancient Rome, trade took place in the forum. Rome had two forums; the Forum Romanum and Trajan's
Forum. Trajan's Market at Trajan's forum, built around 100-110CE, was a vast expanse, comprising
multiple buildings with shops on four levels. The Roman forum was arguably the earliest example of a
permanent retail shop front. In antiquity, exchange involved direct selling via merchants or peddlers and
bartering systems were commonplace. At Pompeii multiple markets served the population of
approximately 12,000. Produce markets were located in the vicinity of the Forum, while livestock markets
were situated on the city's perimeter, near the amphitheater.

2.4 In medieval Europe

In early Western Europe, markets developed close to monasteries, castles or royal residences. Priories
and aristocratic manorial households created considerable demand for goods and services - both luxuries
and necessities and also afforded some protection to merchants and traders. These centers of trade
attracted sellers which would stimulate the growth of the town. The Domesday Book of 1086 lists 50
markets in England, however, many historians believe this figure underestimates the actual number of
markets in operation at the time. In England, some 2,000 new markets were established between 1200
and 1349.[23] By 1516, England had some 2,464 markets and 2,767 fairs while Wales had 138 markets
and 166 fairs.

A pattern of market trading using mobile stalls under covered arcades was probably established in Italy
with the open loggias of Mercato Nuovo (1547) designed and constructed by Giovanni Battista del Tasso
(and funded by the Medici family); Mercato Vecchio, Florence designed by Giorgio Vasari (1567) and
Loggia del Grano (1619) by architect, Giulio Parigi

2.5 In the Middle East and Mesoamerica

In the Middle East, prior to the 10th century, market places were situated on the perimeter of the city.
Along established trade routes, markets were most often associated with the caravanserai typically
situated just outside the city walls. However, when the marketplace began to become integrated into
city structures, it was transformed into a covered area where traders could buy and sell with some
protection from the elements. Markets at Mecca and Medina were known to be significant trade
centers in the 3rd century (CE) and the nomadic communities were highly dependent on them for both
trade and social interactions. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is often cited as the world's oldest
continuously-operating, purpose-built market; its construction began in 1455. In Mesoamerica, a tiered
system of traders developed independently. Extensive trade networks predated the Aztec empire by at
least hundreds of years.

5
2.6 Types of markets

There are many different ways to classify markets. One way is to consider the nature of the buyer and the
market's place within the distribution system. This leads to two broad classes of market,
namely retail market or wholesale markets.

Other ways to classify markets include its trading area (local, national or international); its physical format
or its produce.

Major physical formats of markets are:

 Bazaar: typically a covered market in the Middle East

 Car boot sale - a type of market where people come together to trade household and garden goods;
very popular in the United Kingdom
 Marketplace: an open space where a market is or was formerly held in a town
 Market square : open area usually in town center with stalls selling goods in a public square
 Public market : an indoor, fixed market in a building and selling a variety of goods
 Street market: a public street with stalls along one or more sides of the street
 Open air market: a public marketplace where food and merchandise is sold
 Floating markets: where goods are sold from boats, chiefly found in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam
 Night markets: opening at night and featuring much street food and a more leisurely shopping
experience. In Indonesia and Malaysia they are known as pasar malam
 Wet markets: in Greater China and Asia, where traditionally live animals were sold; in Indonesia and
Malaysia, pasar pagi is a type of wet market.
Markets may feature a range of merchandise for sale, or they may be one of many specialist markets,
such as:

 Animal markets (i.e. livestock markets)

 Farmers' markets, focusing on fresh produce and gourmet food lines (preserves, chutneys, relishes,
cheeses etc.) prepared from farm produce.
 Flea markets or swap meets, a type of bazaar that rents space to people who want to sell
or barter merchandise.
 Flower markets, such as the Mercado Jamaica in Mexico City and the Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam
 Food halls, featuring gourmet food to consume on- and off-premises,
 Grey market: where second hand or recycled goods are sold (sometimes termed a green market)
 Handicraft markets
 Supermarkets

2.7 Markets in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a major producer and exporter of grains and a number of wholesale markets assist with the
distribution and export of such products. Important wholesale markets include: Nekempte and Jaji in the
Wollega region, Assela and agure in the Arsi region, Bahir Dar and Bure in the Gojjam region, Dessie and

6
 Kombolcha in the Wollo region, Mekele in the Tigray region, Dire Dawa and Harar in the Hararghe region,
and Addis Ababa. Some of the major retail markets in Ethiopia include: Addis Mercato in Addis Ababa, the
largest open air market in the country; Chiromedia and Sholla, both in Addis Ababa; Awasa Lake Fish
Market in Awasa, Bahir Dar in Bahar Dar and the Saturday market in Axum.

2.8 Market in bahirdar

Bahir Dar is located in the north western part of Ethiopia with a total area of about 625 km2.
Geographically it is located at 11⁰ 36' N and 37⁰ 23' E. It incorporates the core city of Bahir Dar with three
small urban centers as (satellite towns); namely Zegie, Tis Abay and meshenti with their rural vicinities as
the council of Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) has named under the revised proclamation No.
91/2003.

There are four types of market places currently known and registered by the city administration. These
markets are named:

 “hidar 11” market and Maraki

 “Ginbot 20” market
 “tana” market &
 “sefene selam” market

Figure 1: market location

7
 On these each markets, there are several marketing typologies or modes. These are market seats
(“gullet”), shades, “ehel berenda”, “mill house (wefcho), share market shades and “neged bet”. These
different typologies are provided to these people with different types of areas depending on the typology
by the city administration. These areas are rented for the merchants on monthly basis and the rent is
different depending on the typology.

 For market seats or “gullet” the area given is no more than 4 square meters. And is rented 16-22
Ethiopian birr per month on the current market condition.
 For “Ehel Berenda” the area provided is 20 square meters and is rented 120 Ethiopian birr per
month on the current market condition.
 The shades which are provided by the city administration are 4 square meters with a monthly
rent of 50 Ethiopian birr.
 For the share market shades the areas vary depending on the members of the shareholders and
is rented 6 Ethiopian birr per square meter.
 Mill House (wefcho”) are commonly 80-81 square meters and are rented 300 Ethiopian birr per
monthly.

These merchants rent these spaces if they fulfil the criteria formulated by the city administration. And if
they have all the proper document they rent a space and sell their goods according to their consent.

These spaces are rented for the merchants to upgrade their life standard and return their places within 5
years.

Current there are 7,886 legal merchants who rent a space and sell their goods. These number doesn’t
include the informal sellers on the streets. These number is a sum of the different market places in the
city of bahirdar.

Market typologies Market places

“Hidar 11” market “Maraki” “Tana” market “Sefene Selam” Ginbot 20 market
market market

“Gulet” 1779 179 3124 2255 1147

Shades 230 113
“Ehel Bernda” 10 30
Share market shades 12 10
“Wefcho” 16 12 17

“Neged Bet” 216 236

Table 1: market typologies

8
4000
NUMBER COMPARISION
3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
Tana Market Sefene-Selam Hidar 11 Gibot 20

Table 2: number of merchants

Total No. of Merchents

These markets are arranged in categorical stock (tera’s). And these keep track of the marketing process.
These “tera”s are mostly arranged with their relation but these is different on the different markets.

Most of the common categorical stock (tera’s) are

 Vegetables and fruits (“Atikilt Tera”)

 House equipment (“sheketa-sheket Tera”)
 Spices or “Baltena”
 “Ehel Tera”
 Cloth (“Libs Tera”)

2.9 Case study

Producti-City: Architecture and Urban Strategies for manufacturing and recycling markets in transition,
Minalesh Tera, Merkato, Addis Ababa,

By KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, Campus Sint Lucas 9000 Ghent, International Master of Science in
Architecture, Class - 2016-18

Merkato: one of the largest market in Africa

History (background)

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the horn
of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea in the North and North-East, Djibouti and Somalia to the East,
Sudan and South Sudan to the West, and Kenya to the South. With over a 102 million inhabitants, Ethiopia
is the second most populous country in Africa. Addis Ababa is fairly new and was founded a little over 100

9
years ago by Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II and his wife empress Taytu Betul at the foot of the Entoto
Mountains. The name Addis Ababa literally translates into “New Flower”.
The country of Ethiopia underwent a continuos relocation of its capital owing to the exhaustion of wood
supply for fuel and construction. Addis Abeba was only established as the capital in the 19th century as a
consequence of its geographical location at the base of the Entototo Mountains. The previous capitals on
the hills experienced unpleasantly cold temperatures and Lack of Firewood.

Merkato:

It is the largest Marketplace in the country and one of the largest in the African Subcontinent. One can
practically fid businesses of every type, scale and complexity in this area. Merkato, meaning “Market
Place” got its name during the Italian occupation of the city at the time of the Second World War. Italy as
part of its segregationalist policy shifted the city’s largest open air market from Arada, near the main
church of the city, St. George’s, to its current location further west. The original location was more
prominent. However, the current Merkato has flurished and even directed new city growth despite its
location further away from the city centre.

Figure 2: location of merkato

It is interesting to note that every zone within merkato specializes in a certain business type. These are
called ‘Teras’. For instance, Dubai Tera is dominated by Clothes and Shoe traders, Shoe products can be
found at Shera Tera, for spirces one needs to go to Berbery Tera. Merkato is also home to the biggest
recycling market in the city ‘Minalesh Tera’. ‘Minalesh’ literally means ‘What do you have’. Whatever one
can discard might most likely be recycled in this Tera.

Newcomers in Addis frequently end up in Merkato as a means to start a small business to sustain and
build their new life in the city. Therefore the market space does not only provide commercial spaces but
also residential ones. By the recent trend in the developers market these mixed-use spaces will disappear
and be replaced by single function apartments or malls.

Minalesh Tera

10
Within the context of self organisation and high degrees of social and productive engagements, the most
complex, dynamic and relevant part of Merkato in this sphere is Minalesh Tera. Located along the south
of Merkato, Minalesh Tera which literally translates to “What do you have to offer?” is the recycling and
manufacturing/ remanufacturing district/tera of Merkato.

Figure 3: menalesh tera pic. Photo from producti-City: Architecture and Urban Strategies for manufacturing and recycling markets in transition

The most important activity that is supoorted in Minlaesh Tera is recycling, which is diversified across
various goods and materials. This market is supported by a network of collectors called as “Kura-Lews”,
who move across the streets of the city collecting discarded items and trash which can be recycled. This
indicates the expans and the imprint of Minalesh Tera across the entire city. This informal way of recycling
not just brings new affordable commodities into the market but also is a valuable trash management
system in the city.

Minalesh Tera is a support system for at least 300,000 people in the city, most of them who are migrants
from rural areas. Minalesh Tera helps absorb them into the city, and provides them with new
opportunities by helping them acquire new skills and crafts, and earning a livelihood.

11
Challenges in minalesh tera

Minalesh Tera is an isolated and secluded entity within Merkato. There are many factors that contribute
to this seclusion stemming from how it originated as a predominantly informal market in the organised
grid pattern of Merkato. The natural topography of the site and the existence of natural features such as
a river also make the the possibilty of development through expansion here a challenge. Street networks
are poorly laid out and have limited connectivity and access to the rest of Merkato. Minalesh Tera being
extremely specifi and exclusive through the nature of activities taking place within it, namely,
manufacturing and recycling, distinguish it from Merkato functionally. The Local Development Authorities
have so far failed to propose a development plan for Minalesh Tera, and this provides us with a challenge,
and an opportunity for intervention.

Learning from minalesh tera.

Figure 4:learning from menalesh tera Photo from producti-City: Architecture and Urban Strategies for manufacturing and recycling markets in transition

Appropriation

In an environment like Minalesh Tera, where each space has been designed, built and used by its
inhabitants, appropriation is an extremely vital characteristic. An outcome of the diversity and variety of
activities and a milieu of peopla, each space in Minalesh Tera is appropriated by the people in a unique
manner. A single building typology is appropriated by its user in multiple ways, each tuning and modifying
the space to their needs.

12
Adaptation

Minalesh Tera, being an extremely dynamic space is subjected to constant transformations that is visible
in its built fabric. The built fabric can respond to the changes in the sorrounding environemnt by adapting
itself to it. The social and productive environment also witness a series of constant and are adapting
themselves to it.

Incrementally

The flexible nature of Minalesh Tera make it an outcome of a process of incremental growth that is
environmentally responsive. Spaces are developed as per need and financial means and are not dictated
or driven by an existing development plan. The resultant of an incremental process being a dynamic and
unique environment, with always an opportunity to grow.

Innovation

The built environment in Minalesh Tera is an outcome of a high degree of innovation in its structure and
materials. The activities here are centered on a high degree of innovation and in the products they
manufacture and recycle. This innovation is also reflective in the manner in which space is appropriated,
designed and built.

Formal as a precursor

The formal built environment which co exists with the informal, can be the precursor or the backdrop
along which a number of productive activities can take place. The “formal buildings” or “infrastructure”
provide the stable plartform that defie and make space.

Territorial Ambiguity

There exists no clear boundaries or distinctions between internal and external environments and the
public and the private in Minalesh Tera. This amiguous nature of space and of its notions of access and
ownership result in a high degree of interaction between the inhabitants and the public space.

Interstitial Spaces

The highest degree of social and productive interactions take place along the in-between spaces in the
built environment. These spaces also become the meeting point of the formal environment with the
informal.

Formal Variation

The vast assembly of the different activities and appropriations bu the inhabitant leads to a formal
variation of the environment. This setting of heterogenity give Minalesh Tera its distince and diverse
characteristics, and allow for each space to respond to the qualities of diversity, memory and character
derived from its inhabitants.

13
Connectivity

What allows for a high degree of interaction and ensures effiiency in the movement of goods and people
is the network of connectivity between the spaces. This allows for greater permeability in the dense fabric
of Minalesh Tera.

Open Spaces + Shared Spaces

In a region like Minalesh Tera where the notion of public spaces is nonexistent, the open spaces, in the
form of streets, crossings or undeveloped land, become the platforms for shared activities and social
interaction. These spaces are of extremely high value in a territory which relies on proximity and
engagement for productive activities to occur.

Area of focus:

The area of intervention lies within Minalesh Tera, along its northern edge. the site presents itself as a
point of confluence and a melting point of different forms of appropriation that characterise Minalesh
Tera. The site is an interesting dichotomy of the transient nature and transforming face of Merkato, with
a portion of it being subject to the development trend or the ‘Mall Mania’ and the remaining portion being
uninitiated into the process of redevelopment mantaining the original characteristics of the Merkato open
market

Figure 5፡ area of focus: Photo from producti-City: Architecture and Urban Strategies for manufacturing and recycling markets in transition

14
The Character

The site is extremely diverse with respect to its morphology and its distribution. While most of the site is
overtaken by commercial activities, it also extends onto accommodating manufacturing activities along
its fringes. The site also opens itself into the residential district of Merkato, and a volume of the productive
activities that take place here bear a strong relationship to this area. It is interesting to note how the
boundaries here are seemingly invisible and flow of one characteristic of the site into another is extremely
seamless, allowing it to be read as a single continuous territory. Spaces are always shared and activities
often overlap each other along the same footprint indicating a high level of cohesiveness and community.

Urgencies and strategies

Urgency - I: Existing Development within the site

The primary urgency lies within an existing development within the site and the urgencies have been
formulated with the overview of understanding how and why the building is responsive/ nonresponsive
to its environment and how these urgencies can be addressed

Urgency - II: New Proposal for a development within the site

The secondary urgency seeks the proposal of a new development within the site which presently operates
within the traditional productive model and built character of Merkato and how can the proposal address
the issues of vertical development accommodating the manufacturing characteristics of Minalesh Tera,
within this site, which is extremely susceptible to redevelopment.

Strategies

Strategy- I: Transitions spaces as grounds for intensive productive exchange

Figure 6 strategy 1

Strategy II: Introducing permeability and thoroughfare within built space + amplifying
connectivity between levels

Figure 7: strategy 2

15
Strategy- III: Open spaces for diversifying appropriation

Figure 8: strategy 3

Strategy IV: Reconfiguring and reorganizing programs for efficiency

Figure 9: strategy 4

Strategy V -Establishing a symbiotic relationship with the market

Figure 10: strategy 5

16
Chapter 3
3. Case Area: sefene-selam Market

3.1 Location

This market place is located in kebele 04, at the center of the city behind new one hotel. This market
currently covers 15,700 square meters surrounded by new multi-story buildings. It is accessed by a major
frontal perimeter road taking to the center of the city.

Figure 11: project location

3.2 Site significance

3.2.1 Center of a city

This market place being where it is now could raise a question of Appropriateness but if we analyze the
location of the site we can learn more. The site is on the center of the city where many roads meet and
have direct link to all the city major routes. The road from airport, the road from outside of the city come
together to this place. The major route away the city follow this road and the site junction. People crowd
this place because it is by nature a central and connection place. Having a market district in a place of
connection is appropriate because it can have many of the city people attention.

17
Figure 12: center of a city

3.2.2 People gathering place

The site have more advantage apart from its central location. It is people gathering place because of many
reasons. There is a bus station near by which attract many people to its location. There is constant
movement from this station. People go in and out of the station and flood into the city. Because of this
the marketing process is even more pronounced. The location of the large stadium in front of the site
draw people into the area which even further facilitate the marketing process and the location of the
landscape square on its side make the same effect. This makes the place a place of people and this makes
the location of the market even more appropriate.

3.2.3 Residence abundance

Apart from people drawing into the place there is an abundance of residences on the site which are the
permanent customers of this market place. The site being a commercial district is surrounded by many
commercial land use but the abundance of residences is still visible and sound. The people on this
residences could not go any further away to the other markets when they have this market near them. it
even implies the necessity of this place. Without this market the people on this places need to walk to far
distances to buy goods and could change the value of the place and distort the current active interaction
on the area.

Figure 13: people gathering place & residence abundance

18
3.3 Site analysis

3.3.1 Land use

The site is mostly surrounded by commercial land uses. the perimeter following the main road is mostly
commercial and is filled with activities that draws people in. behind the frontal commercial land use there
are low class residential clusters. Most of which have their own ways of living on the area. Just a few
blocks away there is a bus station that have a large crowd of people with its own commercial and market
related activities. On the front the site is the large stadium of bahirdar which occasionally get flooded with
a large amount of people.

3.3.2 Surrounding

The market is surrounded by commercial building which are 2 or more floors of shops and cafeterias and
pensions on above floors. Most of this commercial buildings are 4 stories. Some of them go as high as 6
floors. There are also new under-construction commercial building with basically same kind of commercial
programs.

These buildings surrounding the market have limited programs which doesn’t include spice goods. Such
goods have no place on the commercial buildings. Shops on these commercial blocks are rented with a
high price and the lower the floor the expensive the price. On an exemplary shop on “lemlemitu shopping
center” a tailor shop on the first floor is rented 3500 birr per month.

Figure 14: surrounding

19
3.3.3 Access and transport

The site have direct and wide perimeter access in the front of it which facilitates ease of engagement into
the site. There are also plenty of through accesses into the site which permits easy movement in between.
The walkway through are unpaved and constantly have dusty look.

The modes of transport on this area is either vehicular, pedestrian or animal. On the outer perimeter of
the site the mode of transport is multi and is composed of vehicles, heavy trucks and pedestrian. On the
secondary route the transport mode is vehicle and pedestrian but on the through routes there are animals
to facilitate goods transport.

Figure 15: mode of transport

3.3.4 Infrastructure

There are drainage lines on the perimeter of the site but in between the shades there is no drainage
system and on rainy days there is a high problem of water drainage. There is electric line on the area but
proper water line in the site is not visible.

3.3.5 The street sellers

The street sellers flood the frontal line of the roads following the abundance of daily people passing by
creating the crowd we observe every day. The goods they sell is mixed and they have no organizational
structure. It is obvious to see vehicles and people mixed and crowded with a lot of voice and movement.
The places are also dirty and produce smell on some places.

20
3.3.6 Contours

The site is nearly flat. A section along the main shades through the new buildings shows there is only a
2m overall slope difference. So most of movement along the site is easy.

Figure 16: street sellers

3.3.7 The type of shades

Sefene-selam market is arrange on “tera’s. The organization of this tera’s is based on the type of goods
and are widely known with the majority of the people living in the city. These tera’s are cloth, spices,
house goods, vegetables and fruit and cereals and foods. The type of structure of this tera’s or categorical
stocks are different and are arranged in a clustered arrangement with seven or more shades in a row.

Figure 17: tera'

21
22
23
24
Finding and implication

Marketing is the origin of cities in many historical places. Cities born out of places like this. During this
research it has been found that the significance of these market places is undeniable and there existence
shouldn’t be questioned. They are the society’s basic living culture and identity.

The research prove that this situation is more improvised in Ethiopia as it is bonded with the society’s
culture and value. It brings people together and create an active space of interaction which our city
centers lack in now a days. In bahirdar the case is just more the same. With the close relation of people in
the city, marketing is the basic activity in every day. There are big malls and shopping centers which are
flooding the central area with cloth and shoe shops but doesn’t get the attention of the majority of the
people in the city.

The marketing activity in sefene-selam, bahirdar has existed for long but is currently being replaced by
the big shopping malls by share member companies and private investors which took away the lives of
these low standard merchants and replace it with expensive enclosed shops which doesn’t include basic
marketing typologies which exist in the area.

The research states that if a proper management has put into these informal markets in sefene-selam,
bahidar these two can co-exist. During the research it has been found that the traditional marketing
situation is untidy and produce a lot of waste which pollute the city and create unwanted crowd at places
and we cannot took it as a healthy marketing situation. But still show abundant users on every day basis.
On the contrary the big malls and shopping centers have clean look and more proper organization
relatively but with no people to activate the area. This problem is more improvised with high cost of rent
and low client abundance on upper floors. This made the informal sellers on the street of bahirdar be a
basic thing to look every day.

Based on this the research implies that the significance of the traditional market cannot be ignored but
cannot be as it was either. There should be a better situation which can negotiate the two.

The analysis on the research lead to a finding that marketing situation can be organized in better system
of marketing.

The research findings state that open marketing should be kept and are the basic feature which are
desirable in the markets of sefene-selam bahirdar. But the main obvious problems should be solved with
a system of marketing which should be easy to the merchants and clear to the users. With this finding a
design proposal has been done with basic analysis on its functional usage.

25
Chapter 4
4.1 design proposal report

General limitations of the shaded traditional markets

 Proper rain water drainage system

 Proper organization of movement
 Proper dry waste management
 Health related issues
 Sun radiation
 Adequate storage area
General limitation of shopping buildings in sefene- selam

 Expensive to rent
 Permeability: shops on the ground are more visible & expensive than the above floors Limited
type of goods
 Loss of the traditional social tie

4.2 Intervention strategies

Freedom of development not fully given to the private investors: formulating a guideline of intervention
on the area

Keeping the lower floors to the market area with categories of their own character to be built with better
organization and movement: making this a standard for every development on the area

Developing this floors with low cost materials for a minimum rent requirement for the merchants.

Freedom of development of the above floors given to the investors without interfering the lower
programs and design.

4.3 Design strategies

Except for places needed leaving the area open on the lower three floors.

Formulating a guideline of movement

Placing Easy, movable and low cost partition between merchants on places needed.

Including a storage area on every individual merchant place & a general storage near by

Increasing permeability with multi access and open organization.

Defining loading and unloading points with zone of access

Creating a proper drainage system that run through defined points of the building which will be part of
the main sewage line.

26
4.4 Intervention methodology
After analyzing the limitations of the market area and preparing the strategies of interventions it is
necessary to look at the site. Design strategies can be general methodologies that can guide on the
solution finding but the design proposal must be based on the specific site. The site is a pocket space
surrounded by multi-story buildings and it have two general penetration lines that are visible. Sun
radiation inside this pocket space is limited on lower ground. Although big buildings surround the space
good ventilation is visible.

Figure 18: intervention methods

4.5 Conceptual approach

A structure influenced by marketing behavior

The marketing behavior should shape our buildings, not the other way round. Buildings built for marketing
does not consider the basic behavior of marketing and end up losing their purpose. We cannot ignore the
essence of these traditional markets and if they need to be part of our built environment it must be done
appropriately.

27
 4.6 Strategies

Strategy 1: penetration
The site is divided into 3 parts of penetration points for permeability. The central penetration is adopted
from the site itself.

Strategy 2: organization
The merchants will be arranged linear but with constant break though for easy of movement and visibility.
Also making all the possible merchants closer to main access for visibility.

Strategy 3: waste management

Rain waiter will be collected by drainage pipes but dry waste will be collected on edge of the site with a
shot-out from the above floors to be directly put into a waste collector placed beneath the ground floor.

Strategy 4: movement
A lot of access points will be arranged following the penetration points. There will also be a linear access
between series of merchants selling their goods. Stairs placed on these access points further facilitate the
movement

Strategy 5: load & unload points

Following the major penetration access loading and unloading area are placed on the edge of the site so
that items which need transport can be unloaded here.

Strategy: 6 universal design

Public toilets will also be placed on corners of the site and ramps on every access points to facilitate
universal access.

Strategy 7: storage
A storage area should be given nearby for rent of the merchants working there. Which can be used
alternatively for other purposes.

Strategy 8: ease of construction

Since the structure should be a standard of the area the architectural design, structural design and
drainage system should be easy which can be manipulated with ease.

28
Design output

Figure 19: building site plan

29
Figure 20: basement plan

Figure 21: ground floor plan

30
Figure 22: first floor plan

Figure 23: second floor plan

31
Figure 24: third floor plan

Figure 25: fourth floor plan

32
South elevation East elevation

North elevation Section C- C

Section D- D Section A- A

33
Figure 26: building 3D

34
References
 Producti-City: Architecture and Urban Strategies for manufacturing and recycling markets in

transition, Minalesh Tera, Merkato, Addis Ababa, By KU Leuven Faculty of Architecture, Campus

Sint Lucas 9000 Ghent, International Master of Science in Architecture, Class - 2016-18

 Bahirdar city administration database, market typlologies, location and number

 Addis Ababa university school of Architecture. Design and research guideline of. 2008Ec

 Streetscape Territories: On Site Research & Real-Life Strategies for Merkato, Addis Ababa, by KU

Leuven faculty of architecture

 www.fortune.com/downtownisforpeople

 www.wikipidia.com/bahirdar

 www.wikipidia.com/marketplace

 www.wikipidia.com/historyofmarketing

35