20^th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

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WELCOME TO MEKELLE: TRACE OF URBAN SCAPE OF MEKELLE IN RELATION TO THE MASONRY TECHNIQUE AND URBAN PLANNING [Abstract ID: 0214-03]

Nobuhiro SHIMIZU, Ph.D Candidate, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Japan.
Keita AOSHIMA, Lecturer, School of Architecture, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan.
ALULA Tesfay Asfha, Research Student, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science: World Heritage Studies, University of Tsukuba, Japan)
Rumi OKAZAKI, Lecturer, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Japan

The urban development of Mekelle was initially prompted by Yohannïs IV in the latter half of 19th century, and has been still progressing as the regional capital of Tigray. While the rapid urban growth has gradually changed its urban scape and replaced old buildings with new modern ones on the one hand, the unique urban scape with traditional flavor has still remained, even if it is presently going to vanish, on the other hand. The urban scape of Mekelle, which is located in the region where masonry culture has been nurtured, is characterized by the use of stone: masonry building, masonry enclosure, cobblestone road, and so on. Nonetheless, the traditional urban scape of Mekelle is varied depending on the time of the development. The status of urban planning and building techniques at each period mainly affected such emergence of variety. In this presentation, urban scape of each period is approached on the basis of several pictures of relevant scenes which can be still seen. By explanation of each element’s origin which consists of each picture, urban scape and urban structure of Mekelle is discussed.