Historic Preservation as Sustainable Urban Development in African Cities: A Technical and Technological Framework

Abstract

Africa is currently undergoing rapid urbanization, which has placed a significant strain on its already insufficient infrastructure. Many cities struggle to meet the needs of their residents through sustainable urban development. This has put urban Africa to a pressing dilemma: the tension between preserving historic buildings and sites, and the drive to modernize and redevelop cities. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, exemplifies this struggle, as it is currently undergoing a rapid urban transformation underpinned by an urban renewal and infrastructure development project, which has included the demolition of historic buildings in its oldest district, Piazza. This article uses Addis Ababa as a case study to demonstrate how historic preservation can be integrated into urban development strategies. It utilizes Zerrudo’s methodology for historic preservation, encompassing the following four phases: awareness, appreciation, protection, and utilization. It further integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology throughout each phase, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of preservation efforts. It argues that historic preservation not only safeguards cultural identity and heritage, but also brings significant economic benefits, including tourism and job creation. This integrated approach ensures that development and preservation are not mutually exclusive, but rather are complementary aspects of sustainable urban development in Africa.

1. Introduction

Over the past two decades, Africa, and particularly sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), has witnessed rapid urbanization, with the rate increasing from 35% to 45.4% between 2000 and 2024, respectively [1]. This trend has prompted some countries to make significant investments in urban infrastructure development to support their rapidly growing populations and economies [2,3]. Cities like Lagos in Nigeria and Nairobi in Kenya are undergoing large-scale redevelopment projects that aim to modernize urban centers, improve transportation networks, and enhance living conditions for their residents [4,5]. However, these ambitious efforts often place historical buildings, structures, and districts at risk of demolition.

In Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, this phenomenon has been particularly evident. The city’s population has surged from 2.4 million to 5.4 million between 2000 and 2022, with projections indicating it will reach 8.9 million by 2035 [6]. To address this challenge, the government has undertaken extensive infrastructure projects, including the construction of new roads, upgrading of dilapidated ones, and the development of parks, plazas, and open spaces in the city’s central parts [7,8]. Additionally, the city launched a Light Rail System in 2015 to improve public transportation, a hallmark of modern urban development. An urban renewal program has also cleared large swaths of the urban core, paving the way for modern skyscrapers that have transformed the city’s skyline [9]. Addis Ababa resembles a vast construction site, straining its 135 year-old historically woven built environment, at least for now. However, once the dust settles and the construction is completed, the question remains: what will have been preserved of the city’s historic buildings, structures, neighborhoods, and ethnological past? What will Addis Ababa and other African cities have saved of their urban heritage for future generations to learn about their past and appreciate their present?

This article aims to challenge the notion that historic preservation cannot be harmonized along urban redevelopment and modernization efforts in Africa. Using Addis Ababa as a case study, it introduces the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within Zerrudo’s (2008) four-phase heritage conservation framework: awareness, appreciation, protection, and utilization as sustainable development [10]. The article argues that historic preservation is not an obstacle to urban revitalization and modernization, but rather an asset that brings social and economic benefits to rapidly urbanizing African cities. This argument is significant, as there is currently a lack of research or frameworks for historic preservation at the urban scale in the African context [11,12,13].

1.1. Towards Historic Preservation

Throughout cities worldwide, many have pondered the relevance of heritage preservation of historic buildings, structures, and districts during times of urban growth, renewal, and modernization. In the 20th century, heritage conservation in the West was heavily influenced by the ideals of 19th century figures such as Viollet-le-Duc, John Ruskin, and William Morris, who advocated for preservation and protection of ancient buildings and monuments [14,15]. Art historians Alois Riegl and Cesare Brandi further contributed to the field by developing theories on the values associated with buildings and monuments, influencing the philosophy of modern conservation [16]. In 1931, the Athens Charter became the first international document on architectural conservation that emphasized the significance of context and setting. In more modern times, the Venice Charter established the main principles for the preservation and restoration of ancient buildings in 1964.

At a more global scale, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established the World Heritage List in 1972, setting up a system for naming and protecting Cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value. Today, UNESCO plays a crucial role in identifying and preserving cultural and natural properties of exceptional universal value. However, UNESCO has limited capacity to preserve the locally cultivated assets in the rapidly evolving urban environments of developing countries [17]. The lack of historic preservation in these contexts can be attributed to several factors. One major issue is the widespread belief that modern development and the preservation of historical sites are mutually exclusive, resulting in the prioritization of modern infrastructure over heritage conservation [18,19,20]. This is further exasperated as large number of historical buildings and structures in African cities are in poor, dilapidated conditions because they are often located in areas with high concentrations of poverty [21]. Additionally, many African governments and urban planners lack the necessary resources, expertise, and regulatory frameworks to implement effective historic preservation strategies [22].

Another significant challenge is the misconception that African urban heritage only began with colonization, which undermines efforts to preserve pre-colonial and indigenous historical structures and sites [23]. The legacy of colonization’s impact on cultural heritage appreciation on the continent has been significant. Some have argued that colonialism as practiced in Africa led to the devaluation of indigenous cultural heritage, a mindset that has persisted among how African view their own heritage [24,25]. Others have suggested that the lack of cultural education in formal schooling systems in Africa has further diminished heritage appreciation [26,27]. Another significant factor has been the phenomenon of globalization, which has led to a shift in values and priorities, particularly of younger generations [28].

A major issue here is that colonial narratives often denied or downplayed pre-colonial urban centers existed in SSA. Yet, many urban centers had thrived for millennia, such as Kumbi saleh of the Ghana Empire, Timbuktu in Mali, Kilwa Kisiwani and Lamu in the Swahili Coast, and Axum in Ethiopia, just to name a few. This misconception has contributed to a sense of cultural alienation that has led to a lack of interest, recognition, and support for preservation efforts of pre-colonial urban structures and sites among some populations [25]. Consequently, the rich cultural and historical tapestry of African cities is at risk of being lost amidst the push for modernization and economic growth. Without integrating historic preservation into urban development plans, Africa’s urban heritage may continue to erode.

1.2. Historic Preservation and Sustainable Development

The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development comes from the U.N. Brundtland Commission’s 1987 report, which describes it as “development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [29] (p. 3). Initially, this concept focused on protecting the natural environment, but it has since expanded to include other areas. For example, the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Bottom-Line Goals are concepts in the realm of sustainability and corporate responsibility. Most related to this paper, the preservation of the built environment as part of sustainable development has also become of great concern. Recognizing the urgent attention that rapid urbanization has on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals agenda, UNESCO adopted its Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape in 2011. The recommendation reflects the need to find a holistic approach that integrates urban conservation and development, along considerations of environmental, economic, social, and cultural sustainability [30].

To this end, historic preservation has been linked to environmental sustainability, as it encourages reusing existing buildings and materials, reducing waste and energy consumption associated with new construction [31]. Historic preservation of urban districts and buildings can also contribute to economic sustainability through job creation, heritage tourism, and increased property values [32]. At the community level, historic preservation can foster social and cultural sustainability, promoting cultural continuity and maintaining diverse cultural knowledge systems [33]. Hence, through several venues, historic preservation has been put forward as a holistic approach to sustainable urban development.

1.3. Historic Preservation and Addis Ababa

In the early 2000s, Richard Pankhurst, a leading scholar on Ethiopian history, expressed concern over the lack of urgency for preserving historical buildings in Addis Ababa, calling it one of the most serious heritage management problems in the country [34]. He attributed the situation to several factors, including hyper-development, urban population growth, and the insufficient capacity for restoring and maintaining long-neglected historic buildings and sites in the city. Although several lists of historic assets to be protected have been prepared, Pankhurst emphasized that the absence of legislation protecting historic buildings is the biggest obstacle to heritage preservation in Addis Ababa. He argued that while individuals and groups may advocate for the protection of the city’s historical assets, effective preservation requires legislative action.

Another early advocate for historic preservation was Princess Mariam Senna, who founded Addis Woubet, an NGO dedicated to preserving Addis Ababa’s historic buildings. The organization’s pilot project successfully restored the Mohammedali building in the Arada sub-city historic district. The organization emphasizes that the most urgent step in preserving historic buildings is raising awareness and building capacity through knowledge and education transfer to the broader public about the city’s heritage and cultural assets [35]. This requires continuous information dissemination on the urgency of the problem and educating the public about the historical value of their city. Therefore, the primary and urgent action should be to build heritage awareness throughout the city, leverage government legislative action, and preserve the city’s heritage through effective and sustainable measures.

However, advocates of historic preservation today face significant challenges, as the city is undergoing substantial physical transformation driven by the Addis Ababa Urban Corridor Development Comprehensive Master Plan (UCD). The main objective of the UCD is to “facilitate the implementation of the city’s structural plan and create a local development plan (LDP) to promote compact, healthy, and sustainable development” [8] (p. 7). This project aligns with the nation’s modernization ambitions outlined in its three Growth and Transformation Plans (GTP), which aims for Ethiopia to achieve middle-income status by 2025 [36]. The four main corridors identified are in the central part of the city and cut across some of the oldest neighborhoods and districts that were settled in the early years of the founding of the city. The project also involves the construction of several green spaces, parks, water features, underground parking, bus and taxi terminals, and rest areas that include shops and restrooms for the public along all four corridors.

To this end, one of the main actions has been the expansion of the selected main roads to facilitate wider sidewalks and designated bike lanes along the corridors. Additionally, another aspect of the project has been the identification and clearance of slum areas and buildings in the districts and neighborhoods along the corridors to make way for future development of modern commercial and housing structures by private, city, and national government investors. The clear magnitude of destruction and loss of historic buildings and sites in these districts has yet to be fully realized. However, according to national and international reporting, it has been significant [37,38,39,40]. While almost all the areas along these corridors have historic relevance, none stand out most as the Piazza district in Arada sub-city, arguably the most important cultural and heritage area that houses some of the oldest historical buildings in the heart of the city.

The Piazza district was a key location during the founding and settlement of the city by Emperor Menelik II in 1886 and is home to many significant buildings, including Etege Taytu Hotel (the oldest and first hotel established by Empress Taytu in 1907), the first post office (1908), then later the first cinema (1941) and first Bank of Abyssinia in the city [41]. The Piazza area was later redeveloped by the Italians during their short-lived occupation (1936–1941) as a center of commerce and governance. While the occupation only lasted five years, the Italians constructed some of the most significant buildings in the district with modernist architectural styles. Along with quintessential Ethiopian architectural designs, many historical buildings in the district also present the influence of the many Indian, Greek, Armenian, and French craftsmen and merchants that made the district their home and hub for their commercial activities [41]. With its narrow winding roads, Piazza eventually became the heart of the city with its many small street front kiosks, cafes, restaurants, jewelry and tailor shops, and vibrant night life. For many generations, the district has been a cornerstone of cultural heritage, as evidenced by the numerous traditional songs, artworks, and literary pieces that focus on it [42].

The speed at which the UCD has been implemented has made it unfeasible, even for the most stringent supporters of historic preservation, to address the issue efficiently and promptly before a significant building of interest has already been lost, or a historic neighborhood has been transformed. Even in the face of these challenges, history has shown that development and modernization of the urban built environment is capable of functioning within the context of historic preservation. In fact, the sustainable development of successful cities today has been greatly enhanced by the preservation and utilization of historic buildings and heritage. As Addis Ababa and other cities in Africa go through their growing pains, they must act fast to preserve what still stands visibly, sometimes not so visibly, of its historical past. Development and preservation can operate alongside the same sustainable urban dialog. The next section will outline a technical and GIS technological framework that Addis Ababa and other African cities can implement to realize historic preservation as sustainable development.

2. Materials and Methods

This research utilizes Zerrudo’s model as a methodology for historic preservation to the case study, incorporating GIS along the four phases. In his essay, ‘The Cultural Mapping Project of the Heritage City of Vigan: A heritage site in the Philippines’, Professor Eric Babar Zerrudo outlines a framework for heritage conservation and sustainable development. Zerrudo (2008) integrates the general concept, measures, and processes of development, which include economic value, with actions taken in heritage conservation to preserve the value, meaning, and significance of cultural resources from the past for current use and to inspire future generations [10]. His model places heritage at the core of developmental processes, moving through four phases: awareness, appreciation, protection, and utilization (Figure 1). This concept should guide Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, and other African cities as they navigate the conflicting challenges of urban modernization and historic preservation within their developmental and urban planning frameworks.

Development has also introduced technologies that can significantly impact historic preservation. GIS has become an invaluable tool in the context of urban planning in the last several decades. In the context of historic perseveration, GIS has been used in the research, mapping, cataloging, detecting changes, conservation, planning, and management of historical buildings and sites [43,44,45]. With the integration of GIS-based applications to other technologies such as interactive maps, it has enhanced tourism, as well as public engagement, awareness, and education in promoting historic preservation [46]. Although GIS has primarily been used in archeology in relation to heritage protection and preservation, its applications offer substantial benefits for historic preservation at the urban scale. By integrating GIS applications within the first four phases of Zerrudo’s framework, we can outline a feasible approach that may align the current hyper-urban development trends with heritage preservation in Addis Ababa and other SSA cities.

3. Protocol

3.1. Phase I: Heritage Awareness

Heritage awareness begins with identifying and cataloging the culturally significant assets of a community, similar to how development planning starts with resource identification. This process involves cataloging and studying heritage resources to assess and utilize them to their full potential. Addis Ababa boasts a rich history, both tangible and intangible. Mapping the city’s heritage requires recorded data, literature, and oral history. The city has undergone several phases of development and modernity, with each era contributing structures and monuments that reflect the history and architectural esthetics of their time.

Historic neighborhoods, like historic structures, are vital assets. They consist of collections of historic buildings that provide continuity, time, and a sense of place in our urban heritage. The Piazza district is an excellent example of a historic area that needs protection. It comprises multiple significant buildings that collectively form a historical site, rather than just individual buildings. Understanding the architectural esthetics and history of the city is crucial to the mapping process. Despite a seeming historical amnesia, recent years have seen an increase in publications and presentations on the city’s architectural history. Initiatives to raise awareness and knowledge about the city’s diminishing historical assets have largely come from citizens and concerned non-governmental organizations [34,35]. However, educational institutions will play a crucial role in facilitating the cultural mapping process, leveraging their knowledge and technical expertise. For instance, Addis Ababa University’s Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction, and City Development (EiABC) and the Goethe Institute have been leading voices on the topic, and their contributions should not be overlooked [47]. Finally, heritage awareness is also crucially related to tourism, as it plays a significant role in fostering the appreciation, conservation, and sustainable development of historical and cultural sites.

Identifying and Inventorying Cultural Assets

Heritage Resource Identification (HRI) is a systematic process involving the survey and documentation of historic buildings, structures, objects, districts, and sites. It is crucial that all stakeholders participate in this initial phase. This includes individual citizens, preservationists, historical and heritage groups, and associations. Additionally, professionals, educators, and students of history and architecture from universities should be involved.

Resource identification is an ongoing process but should prioritize urgent areas as needed. In Addis Ababa, the focus should be on areas experiencing rapid development and redevelopment, as well as historically significant settlements and assets. The Piazza district, for example, falls into this category. This does not imply that some areas are more important than others, but rather highlights areas most vulnerable to current development trends and where threats to historic resources are most imminent. The most traditional method of resource identification involves using Historic Preservation Identification Forms (HPIF). Surveyors should utilize a standardized HPIF that is accessible and ensures data are complete and accurate. Any additional supporting documentation should be included for further evaluation and analysis of the resource.

What significantly enhances traditional documentation methods today is the use of GIS and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). GPS, a satellite-based navigation system, uses a network of satellites that transmit signal information to Earth, enabling precise location calculation through triangulation. GPS receivers are highly accurate and widely used globally for navigation. GIS software, on the other hand, captures, manages, analyzes, and displays geographical information. It allows users to view, understand, interpret, and visualize data in various ways, revealing relationships, patterns, and trends by layering maps to tell a story. The combination of GPS and GIS provides better accuracy, analysis, and understanding of resources, facilitating broader participation in preservation and planning, especially when integrated with traditional resource documentation methods.

In Ethiopia, GIS has been in use since the early 1980s through the Ethiopian Mapping Agency, primarily for natural resource management, with increasing application in urban planning. For GIS to be effectively utilized for heritage preservation and management, it is crucial to create and make accessible a base map of Addis Ababa. This base map should include background reference information such as landforms, roads, building footprints, landmarks, and political boundaries, onto which other thematic information can be layered. Thematic feature class layers are generally represented in the following four formats: points, lines, polygons, and annotations (Figure 2).

Given that Addis Ababa is filled with informal and unregulated areas, it may be challenging to create a map that goes beyond depicting only blocks and commonly known structures (e.g., churches, schools, government buildings, monuments, parks). Such a map is insufficient for inventorying historical assets. Easily identifiable monumental structures do not encompass all significant assets in the city, many of which are hidden within the broader urban environment. Using GPS to create GIS thematic maps offers greater flexibility, enabling the mapping of a wider array of non-linear and linear points of interest.

3.2. Phase II: Appreciation

Engaging the community in heritage preservation is essential for building a shared vision and understanding that can enhance capacity to achieve preservation goals. Organizations like Addis Woubet, EAIBC, and the Goethe Institute in Ethiopia have played crucial roles in promoting and appreciating heritage through publications, websites, and art installations [35,47]. However, a collaborative effort among the community, organizations, and professionals is necessary to fully realize the potential for protecting the city’s cultural assets. Community organizing, education, and promoting historic preservation are key to building this capacity. While community workshops and focus groups contribute to this goal, recent developments in internet-based interactive maps have proven to be effective in increasing heritage appreciation, especially among younger generations.

Interactive GIS maps have been used for locating buildings, land parcels, points of interest, navigation, and, more recently, for promoting local heritage resources. Many internet users are familiar with navigating map applications like Google and Bing maps. Similarly, interactive maps featuring historic sites are becoming more available on local websites globally. Geospatial technology allows users to locate points of interest and access archives of historic photographs, maps, and data, creating an interactive map that serves as a comprehensive historical information hub, further nurturing heritage appreciation. Information collected during the heritage mapping phase can be supplemented with additional data through links to other websites.

In Addis Ababa, where internet access may be limited for much of the population, these maps could be made available at information kiosks in key locations across the city for public use. As a growing tourist, business, and conference destination, interactive maps showcasing historical points of interest in Addis Ababa will enhance the promotion, utilization, and accessibility of sites to visitors. More importantly, these maps could allow users to add or edit sites of historical significance, providing a richer historical documentation of shared heritage. Organizations can use editable maps to share data among collaborating entities, connecting professionals across various specializations and creating a unique platform for information sharing. This approach not only builds capacity, but also compiles an unparalleled collection of historical data for heritage preservation. Finally, heritage awareness is crucial for the tourism sector, as it plays a significant role in fostering a sense of knowledge and understanding of differing cultures promoting global cohesion [48].

3.3. Phase III: Protection

Effective sustainable development policies require a comprehensive set of guidelines that enable communities to protect and utilize valued assets through laws and regulations. Heritage protection, as the cornerstone of sustainable urban development, involves identifying assets of historical value and establishing procedures for their protection and viable utilization. The protection of heritage, especially recent historical assets, depends on technical and legislative management shaped by local and national policies and regulations. History protection takes many forms, with museums and cultural institutions often serving as the primary guardians of national and global history and cultural assets, including archeological artifacts and visual and literary arts.

In terms of preserving and managing historical urban culture and buildings, the federal government is responsible for promulgating national heritage policies, implementing strategies, and establishing legal and institutional frameworks and heritage conservation regulations. Local governments, on the other hand, develop heritage preservation and development plans tailored to local needs. During this phase, it is encouraged that government agencies engaged utilize spatial analysis of structures and sites through tools available within GIS applications to track and identify vulnerable structures and sites that possibly need attention for rehabilitation and protection.

A significant aspect of this phase is also related to tourism. In October 2012, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia, with assistance from the World Bank, published ‘Ethiopia’s Tourism Sector: Strategic Paths to Competitiveness and Job Creation’. This comprehensive analytical study focused on developing the tourism sector at the national level, and provided strategic intervention options to guide the implementation of Ethiopia’s national Tourism Development Policy within its Growth and Transformation Plan. The primary goal was to increase tourism arrivals from 500,000 in 2010 to 1,000,000 by 2015 [49]. This initiative was followed by the Sustainable Tourism Master Plan (2012–2025), which aims to double tourist arrivals between 2015 and 2025 [50]. One of the ten key objectives of the Plan is the conservation, preservation, and enhancement of natural and cultural resources.

While these policies demonstrate the country’s commitment to the preservation, protection, and utilization of heritage at the national level, they lack direct guidelines for historic preservation of buildings at the urban scale. Consequently, the preservation of urban historic buildings must be guided by robust policies legislated at the local level, such as those implemented by the Addis Ababa City Administration. Protecting more recent historical buildings, particularly those constructed within the past 135 years, poses both political and financial challenges. In developing countries’ urban spaces, which often contain long-neglected neighborhoods and buildings, it is common to find quick fixes or opt for demolition over restoration and protection. This vulnerability of historic buildings to decay beyond repair or demolition is largely due to the absence of protective legislative policies.

Furthermore, capacity building for the long-term rehabilitation and management of these sites remains a significant challenge. Additionally, some tenants of historic buildings may mistakenly believe they are secure in their long-standing storefronts or offices due to the historical significance of their building. However, this is not always the case [51].

3.4. Phase IV: Utilization

The historic preservation of buildings and sites offers both cultural and economic benefits. Maintaining tangible and intangible heritage strengthens cultural history and identity. Economically, historic preservation generates measurable value through job creation, household income, property value appreciation, heritage tourism, and environmental benefits. The rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings and districts generate employment and increase household income. Being located within a local historic district positively impacts economic value. In Addis Ababa, most historic buildings are situated in the city’s historic core, which has evolved into the commercial and cultural downtown area. Preserving these buildings will enhance their property value.

Tourism is a growing industry and the largest service sector, providing one in ten jobs globally before the COVID-19 pandemic [52]. Heritage tourism, especially in emerging destinations like Ethiopia, is the fastest-growing segment of this industry. Economic activity generated by tourism also has a multiplier effect. According to a World Bank study on Ethiopia’s tourism development policy, Addis Ababa, supported by Ethiopian Airlines and its major regional transport hub, is expected to see further growth in short transit, business, and conference arrivals [53]. For short-term visitors, visiting distant heritage sites like Axum, Lalibela, and Harar may not be feasible. Therefore, Addis Ababa needs to offer accessible heritage sites, with historic buildings and neighborhoods playing a crucial role in these efforts.

There is a misconception that preserving old buildings is not environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, or sustainable compared to constructing new buildings with modern technology and materials [54]. This leads some to believe that historic structures should be demolished and replaced. However, this notion is often inaccurate, and an alternative perspective suggests that the greenest building is one that already exists [55].

Moreover, sustainable development through historic preservation offers environmental and economic benefits, and common ground has been established between the “green building” and “historic preservation” movements. In the United States, both initiatives emerged in the 1960s. Over the following decades, there was tension between advocates for preserving historic buildings and those arguing for new, more environmentally conscious structures with design elements that utilize new technologies, reduce waste, and focus on material, energy, and water efficiency. However, in recent decades, the two movements have found commonalities [56]. Recent studies have demonstrated that building reuse has positive environmental impacts by reducing embodied energy, which is the total energy required to produce a product, compared to constructing new buildings [57]. In the context of new construction, embodied energy includes all direct and indirect quantifiable energy and activities involved in extracting, fabricating, and transporting materials to the site, utility and site preparation, and the assembly and installation of the building. Additionally, there is the energy and activity associated with demolishing and disposing of any existing structures.

4. Discussion

In recent decades, the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings and districts in the urban environments of African cities have received minimal attention. Ethiopia and its capital, Addis Ababa, is no exception. International organizations such as UNESCO have long been involved in preserving world heritage sites and monuments, but they have been less successful in addressing the preservation of urban-scale historic buildings and sites in developing countries. The experiences of most developed countries have shown that urban historic preservation efforts typically begin with local citizens and organizations raising awareness and advocating for legislation to establish systematic national and local preservation strategies.

In Addis Ababa, one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, the challenge is exacerbated by hyper-development driven by the country’s aims to achieve middle-income status by 2025. Consequently, the nation’s development policies prioritize infrastructure upgrades (e.g., UCD) and investment growth over urban heritage preservation. However, sustainable development and historic preservation are not mutually exclusive; in fact, heritage preservation is a component of sustainable development. Using Zerrudo’s four phases toward heritage conservation and sustainable development as a blueprint, this article proposes a model for historic preservation in African cities, enhanced by technological applications such as GIS. It is important to note that the Ethiopian Mapping Agency and the Addis Ababa City Plan & Development Bureau (AACPD) are the two main governmental agencies that are responsible for the development and updating of GIS-based maps of Addis Ababa. However, due to institutional, legal, and general technological limitations, accessing the most current geospatial data of the city from these agencies has been a challenge [58].

The first phase, “awareness”, is crucial. Building awareness for historic preservation should be spearheaded by concerned citizens, institutions, and organizations. This can be achieved primarily through asset mapping of historic buildings and sites. Using both traditional methods (such as paper forms, oral interviews, and historic documents) and modern technological applications (like GPS and GIS), asset mapping facilitates comprehensive inventorying and data collection. Educational institutions (e.g., EiABC, Addis Ababa University) and mapping agencies (e.g., Ethiopia Mapping Agency, Information Systems Services Plc.) will play key roles in developing the necessary capacity for this process.

The second phase, “appreciation”, involves conducting SWOT analyses of historic assets and engaging the community to foster appreciation for their urban built heritage. Heritage is a shared experience; therefore, involving local communities to increase appreciation for historical buildings and districts is essential for promoting rehabilitation and preservation efforts. Town hall meetings and workshops, common community engagement exercises, should be employed, and SWOT analyses should include citizen participation. Art installations and publications showcasing Addis Ababa’s heritage can effectively build community appreciation. Technological applications to enhance appreciation can include interactive maps accessible online, displaying historic buildings and districts along with background information and links to further resources. Information kiosks, which are common in many developed cities, can reach individuals without internet access and visiting guests. These kiosks should be installed at key historical areas and could be sponsored by businesses, industries, or NGOs.

The third phase, “protection”, may seem daunting due to the legal and financial challenges it presents. However, heritage preservation in Addis Ababa is incomplete without safeguarding the city’s historical assets. Effective historic preservation requires policies that protect heritage assets at both national and local legislative levels. Particularly at the urban scale, local governments must implement policies to ensure the protection of historical buildings and sites. Urban planners should incorporate preservation policies into the city’s master plan. The Addis Ababa City, Culture, and Tourism Bureau, responsible for designating buildings for their historical and cultural significance, is crucial during this phase. However, this research has found that the Bureau lacks the legislative capacity to effectively implement its preservation policies. Moreover, similar to the urban renewal era of the West [59], inclusive and participatory urban planning in the Global South has been found to be lacking [60]; Ethiopia is no exception [61]. Therefore, the Bureau must collaborate with residents, Addis Ababa City Administration, and the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction to draft a comprehensive policy and plan for historic preservation in the city.

The fourth phase, “utilization”, is vital, as it ensures that the preservation of historical assets has economic value, thereby reinforcing their merit and relevance in the context of sustainable development. Preservation for its own sake is not sustainable; however, once a building is identified as historically significant, several economic benefits emerge. First, the rehabilitation process creates employment, increasing household income. Second, adaptive reuse, the most common method for rehabilitating and preserving historic buildings, helps maintain the economic value of the building. Third, preserving a historic building instead of demolishing it and constructing a new one offers environmental benefits. Perhaps the most important aspect of utilization is the preservation of heritage itself, which holds immeasurable value for the sustainability and continuity of culture, identity, and history.

Finally, historic preservation also plays a crucial role in boosting local economies through the tourism sector. In the context of the Piazza district, studies have shown that heritage is a primary motivator for many tourists for experiencing unique historical and cultural destinations [62]. However, some have found that historic destination tourism can also pose significant dangers to such sites leading to physical deterioration from excessive foot traffic, environmental degradation, and over-commercialization [48,63,64,65]. While these challenges exist, strategies such as limiting time and numbers of visitors, improving infrastructure, strict regulations, diversifying tourist attractions, seasonal promotions, and visitor education/awareness are tools that can mitigate damage to heritage sites from over-tourism.

5. Conclusions

As cities in Africa undergo significant transformation in the coming years, they face a critical challenge: preserving their urban heritage. For Addis Ababa, this means safeguarding a glimpse of its 135 years of history for future generations. Urban heritage is a vital part of a nation’s shared legacy, with historic buildings and districts being key elements that have shaped, and should continue to shape, the continuity of the built environment. To address this challenge effectively, Addis Ababa, and other cities on the continent, must swiftly establish comprehensive policies for the preservation of historical buildings before it is too late. It is with this objective in mind that Zerrudo’s four phases for heritage preservation and sustainable development have been proposed for implementation in Addis Ababa, other cities in Africa, and regions of the Global South. Ultimately, as it has often been said, a generation will be judged not by the buildings it erected, but by those it chose to preserve and those that it destroyed.