Uploaded on 2015-10-28 by segenyan

The mean annual temperature in Addis Ababa, is very mild at 15 °C. The variation of average monthly temperature is 3 °C which is extremely low range. There is a variation/range of mean diurnal temperature of 13.7 °C.(http://www.addis-ababa.climatemps.com/temperatures.php) In the winter time, records indicate temperatures by day reach 23.3°C on average falling to 7.3°C overnight and in spring time temperatures climb reaching 24.7°C generally in the afternoon with overnight lows of 10.7°C . During summer average high temperatures are 21°C and average low temperatures are 10°C . (http://www.addis-ababa.climatemps.com). ![http://www.awrambatimes.com/?p=13706][1] However, the city is witnessing high urban heat island. According to studies urban centers of Addis Ababa were 1.4-2.2°C warmer and it is expected that UHI would become stronger affecting the living condition of the urban population. (http://aigaforum.com/articles/green-infrastructure-for-sustainability.pdf) In Addis the temperature is also getting hotter and hotter and there has been frequent flood damages in recent years. This could be due to climate change, in which there has been evidence of an already ongoing climate change in Ethiopia. Based on the recorded data, the mean annual temperature has risen 1.3°C or 0.028°C per year between 1960 and 2006 and the number of hot days and hot nights has increased by 20% and 37.5% between 1960 and 2003 (ibid.). ![http://addisababaonline.com/addis-to-host-investing-in-africa-forum/][2] One of the many reasons is, the 125 years old Addis Ababa has poor green infrastructure and hence is faced with enormous environmental, social, and economic problems associated with the poor development and management of the green infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure can to a certain extent mitigate urban warming. The selection of vegetation and proper urban design is a vital issue to combat the UHI in the city. The unprecedented urbanization rate of Addis Ababa, and its booming construction industry is also a threat to the ever increasing discomfort of the city. On the other hand Sebeta is located 23km away from Addis Ababa, it has warm and temperate climate. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Sebeta. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. This climate is considered to be Cfb according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification. The average annual temperature in Sebeta is 17.4 °C. The rainfall here averages 1073 mm. (http://en.climate-data.org/location/765735/) Most real estate developments are now built in this area giving the area a look of sub urban than a rural place. The attraction of investors, Industries and other business sectors will eventually make the town more crowded and change into a city center.But till that happens , its a nice get away place and have fresh are and great view to the country side landscape. ![http://sodere.com/photo/sebeta-condominium][4] Question # 3 If I could take part in the decision making process of an initiative related to the UHI effect, I would propose to do more in urban green infrastructure design, planning and development. Research in urban centers is very vital and could help understand and follow the UHI. Question #4 Even if I dont have any idea related to urban heat Island policies in Addis Ababa, the over all economic and social strategy of Ethiopia has shifted. Ethiopia is experiencing the effects of climate change. Besides the direct effects such as an increase in average temperature or a change in rainfall patterns, climate change also presents the necessity and opportunity to switch to a new, sustainable development model. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has therefore initiated the Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) initiative to protect the country from the adverse effects of climate change and to build a green economy that will help realize its ambition of reaching middle income status before 2025. (http://www.undp.org/content/dam/ethiopia/docs/Ethiopia%20CRGE.pdf ) [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14460342671681505.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14460343332938884.jpeg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14460344634209617.jpg