Urban Development as ‘Militarised Ergonomics’: Addis Ababa since 2018

Abstract

Since assuming power in 2018, the Abiy Ahmed regime has aggressively focused on redeveloping Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. This initiative encompasses a range of urban projects, including the creation of scenic riverside walkways, expansive parks, museums, central squares, and upscale real estate developments. Furthermore, the construction of a grand palace and the demolition of the historic Piassa district, along with the construction of a 41km corridor featuring bike lanes and broader walkways, has been criticized, given that the country is embroiled in multiple internal conflicts and significant macro-economic imbalances. This paper examines the underlying drivers of this socio-political engineering of urban space. I argue that Abiy Ahmed’s administration exhibits a form of ‘militarized ergonomics,’ which involves the violent demolition of existing structures, rapid displacement of residents, and the imposition of new regulations and aesthetics to shape and control behaviour within the urban environment.  Rooted in the ideology of the prosperity gospel, which attributes human behaviour to mindset, these urban endeavours claim to enhance residents' productivity and well-being by fostering a sense of prosperity through the sanitisation and beautification of the city centre. Speculative investments and rising urban land values, however, are depopulating the heart of the city and are pushing thousands to the fringes. The Prime Minister’s Office propels these developments, while selected Ethiopian construction firms execute them under the auspices of Chinese contractors and financiers from the UAE.