FERTILE FANCIES


FERTILE FANCIES

A corrugated tin fence is painted over with greenery and trees around Arat Kilo as the corridor development project snaking through the neighbourhood nears its end. The high fences have become ubiquitous across Addis Ababa, hielding locations incompatible with the city's reimagined aesthetic. Mayor Adanech Abiebe revealed two weeks ago that the ambitious project tallied up to around 33 billion Br with meticulous spending.The project, closely overseen by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), is reviewed every 100 days for performance and progress. While the majority of the architectural concepts stem from a city-wide structural plan devised nearly seven years back, novel elements were introduced by the current administration toward realizing 'smart city' goals. A concerted effort has been launched by authorities to replace combustion engine vehicles with electric alternatives, endorse cycling and promote waking

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In-Picture

WHEELING HUSTLE

Multitasking at its finest unfolds on the streets of Adey Abeba, where a man navigates his way in a sleek, electric-wired wheelchair. But his ride is more than a mode of transport, it doubles as a mobile vending station. As he glides past pedestrians, his chair displays an array of goods, offering snacks, plastic bags, and small essentials to those on the move. Morning commuters stop briefly, intrigued by this unusual blend of mobility and enterprise, while others pass by with wide-eyed curiosit...


In-Picture

SECOND SPIN

Worn-out tyres roll back and forth through Mercato, steered by grease-stained hands of mechanics in faded overalls. Some will soon stand as makeshift signposts announcing a repair shop open for business; others will find new lives as flower pots, stools, or playthings in alleyways. In this market, the largest open market in Africa, nothing truly retires, everything gets a second spin...


In-Picture

SOLE REST

A well-earned day off for shoes that have walked more miles than most of us dare to dream. On the sidewalks of the Bethel neighborhood, sneakers line up to dry while the shoeshine trades polish for gossip, stitch up tired soles, and sneak in a chat with friends, because even shoes need a social life. The air hums with laughter and wax mingling, and the occasional clink of a shoeshine brush hitting a tin of polish. For a few hours, the streets are a quiet hub of camaraderie, creativity, and the u...