Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The objective for this Masters thesis is to conduct a
Design program, as a planning and design tool, for
the outdoor environment at the campus site of Wollo
University in Kombolcha, located in northern Ethiopia.
The geographical location as well as the social and
political context of the site has constituted the framework
for this Design program and Masters thesis. Kombolcha
Campus site was established during 2006/2007, as
part of the Ethiopian government’s strategy for higher
development which was initiated in the Ethiopian policy
of ‘Education and training’ 2001. Investment in higher
education was a step towards the development of
socio-economic conditions and an essential prerequisite
for poverty reduction and important for the future of
Ethiopia (Federal ministry of Education, 2010). The
strategy has resulted in several universities being built
during the last decade distributed in different parts of
Ethiopia.

At Kombolcha Campus, most buildings are more or less
constructed. However, there are still some facilities and
constructions lacking and parts of the infrastructure as
well as the outdoor environment are yet to be planned,
built and established. Because of its location, Kombolcha
Campus confronts a high risk of flooding during heavy
rainfall in the summer. There is a gully running down
the hillside through the middle of the campus site which
creates a threat towards many buildings and has already
caused severe damage to some. In addition the campus
faces problems with erosion. The outdoor environment
and the vegetation at site is young and represents a
surface with a few green spots and many empty, large
scale, areas. It lacks seating areas and shade in order to
support the use of the outdoor environment.

The choice of subject for this Masters thesis was initiated
from a raised interest and a request from Wollo University
in order to conduct a Design program for the outdoor
environment. The main focus in this Masters thesis is to
highlight the landscape architectural perspectives and
to contribute with a planning tool, as well as applicable
design approaches. The aim is to provide additional
support and ideas for the development of the outdoor
environment at site. Focus has been laid upon how to
strengthen the study environment and make Kombolcha
Campus functioning and attractive. The emphasis
has been placed on students and their desire and
requirements in particular. The methods used hazve been
based on a pragmatic and an empirical perspective (Patel
and Davidson, 2003). Analysis tools employed have
mainly been mapping, observations, participation, talks
and interviews with a focus on the students in particular.
Within the program special focus has been laid on how
to deal with three main fields at site: Water, Vegetation
and Placemaking. Examples/Suggestions of solutions
are given through several approaches of how to deal
with: Water issues such as flooding and erosion; possible
ways to work with and establish Vegetation; as well as
identification of areas suitable for additional support for
Placemaking. Thereafter seven key areas are shown
as examples, including a range of different approaches
applied within each key area.