Addis Ababa, May 2, 2026 (FMC) – Addis Ababa City Administration Mayor Ms. Adanech Abiebie has described the newly developed Arada Park as a landmark achievement that reflects a transformation from urban decay to a renewed era of beauty, modernity, and national identity.
It is noteworthy that the new Arada Park was inaugurated on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, with the Mayor also in attendance.
The project, covering a 40-hectare area in Addis Ababa, has transformed a previously neglected and hazardous residential zone into a multi-purpose urban destination through integrated infrastructure development and efficient land use. It also includes the renovation of more than 700 existing homes aimed at ensuring community uplift alongside urban renewal.
Speaking after the inauguration, the Mayor stated that Arada Park stands as a “nexus of history, beauty, and modernity,” noting that it has transformed a legacy of urban decay, pollution, and extreme poverty.
Ms. Adanech added that by moving beyond the negative remnants of the past, the development represents a collective effort to forge a renewed Ethiopian identity.
She explained that residents from the Piazza area were relocated from substandard living conditions into dignified and modern housing, which she described as healthy, spacious, and fully equipped with essential infrastructure. She further noted that care was taken to preserve social cohesion, allowing traditional community systems such as Iddir and Equb to continue functioning.
The Mayor stated that the reconstruction of Piazza reflects what she described as true urban civilization and the authentic spirit of “Arada,” referring to urban sophistication.
Mayor Adanech also highlighted that previously polluted river areas have been rehabilitated and transformed into cleaner environments that now serve as tourist destinations, symbols of natural beauty, and sources of job creation.
She further described Arada Park as a space designed to provide accessible and sufficient recreational facilities for city residents, enhance the beauty of the capital, and support tourism flow. The park brings together multiple facilities in one location, including a history viewing gallery, commercial spaces such as supermarkets, banks, retail shops, cafeterias, halls, hotels, hair salons, sports gyms, cycling and running tracks, fountains, and children’s playgrounds, along with ample parking facilities.
Ms. Adanech also emphasized that the park includes a sports arena, event halls, and large plazas designed for public gatherings, alongside dedicated running, cycling, and walking tracks, as well as multiple children’s playgrounds, some of which are open free of charge. A 100-meter national flagpole symbolizing national pride has also been installed within the park.
She concluded by inviting residents to visit and make use of the facility, which has been opened for free public access for the coming months, encouraging citizens to enjoy both its commercial and recreational offerings.