Reinvigorating Kasanchis

The study area, located in Kirkos sub-city, woreda 8, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, holds a number of heritage buildings, which are in critical condition and often maintained by nonprofessionals and without oversight by the concerned public authority. Most of the built heritage is owned by government and serving as office, residence or commercial space. From the survey questionnaires, interview and onsite observation, the study discovered that the community has a strong relationship to its heritage and the concerned government authority is compiling a heritage database listing its current condition. Even if the heritage is situated in the center of the city, there has been little to no site presentation work. The current rapid urban renewal, construction and, most importantly, the price of land are putting the heritage at risk. As a recommendation, the study proposes pausing new construction and assessing the situation, implementing policies and procedures that facilitates heritage conservation since heritage are a source of identity and unity that contribute to the livability of the area and act as a reference to have a better tomorrow. It also recommends further research and a