Book by Prof. Diamantini Corrado and Prof. Patassini Domenico with a Preface by Dr Blal Adem Esmail (Ruhr University Bochum), Dr Chiara Cortinovis (University of Trento), and Dr Linda Zardo (Università Iuav di Venezia)

The authors are glad to announce the release of a new book titled "Addis Ababa. At the Roots of a Disputed Flower", published by ListLab as part of the Babel International category. The book includes a valuable contribution from Dr. Blal Adem Esmail, a member of our Institute of Geography, Ruhr University Bochum. This book represents the English edition of the work by Prof. Diamantini and Prof. Patassini, marking three decades since its original Italian version was published by Franco Angeli. The significant task of bringing the book up to the present day is accomplished through the addition of the first chapter, marking a substantial departure from the original Italian edition. This new chapter provides readers with fresh insights into the modes and significance of the transformation that has unfolded in Addis Ababa in a mere 15 years.

The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving urban landscape in Addis Ababa, one of Africa's most significant urban regions. Authored by Prof. Diamantini and Prof. Patassini, with contributions from Dr. Blal Adem Esmail, Dr. Chiara Cortinovis, and Dr. Linda Zardo, this English edition revisits and expands upon the original Italian version published thirty years earlier. Addis Ababa's transition from a capital city to a continental hub has led to rapid and profound urban changes, marked by the emergence of skyscrapers, shopping centers, and upscale residential developments. The book delves into the various perspectives surrounding this transformation, examining its impact on the city's social fabric. Through this update, the book offers a comprehensive historical account of the city, chronicling the various policies and plans that have shaped its trajectory, with a particular emphasis on the developments of the mid-1980s. This book, with its educational value, serves as a valuable resource for undergraduate and doctoral courses while offering insights into the contemporary history of Addis Ababa and urban planning and management in Africa.

The production of this new edition involved a collaborative effort by a team of dedicated individuals. Dr. Blal Adem Esmail from Ruhr University Bochum, Dr. Chiara Cortinovis from the University of Trento, and Dr. Linda Zardo from Università Iuav di Venezia played key roles in coordinating the translation process and have written the book's Preface. Unlike the original Italian edition, which primarily featured maps and urban plans, this English edition boasts an enriched iconography that includes valuable archival material and newly-created visuals. Arch. Flavia Vaccher, affiliated with Università Iuav di Venezia, conducted extensive research in planners' archives, uncovering previously unpublished documentation. Arch. Federico Alcaro of TAMassociati Venice organized thematic content and enhanced images, while Gianfranco Pozzer, from Università Iuav di Venezia, crafted spatial maps of the Addis Ababa.