Tulu Tolla Tura

This report explores the importance of faith-based and community stewardship systems serving as socio-ecological infrastructure. It examines their role in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and cultural identity and provides policy recommendations to integrate these sites into biodiversity governance. The report is part of a thematic series on socio-ecological production landscapes (SEPLS) — integrated landscape and seascape systems shaped by long-term interactions between people and nature. Across the globe, SEPLS are maintaining biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods, cultural values and sustainable resource management.

Rapid urbanization in the Global South poses challenges to ecological integrity, cultural heritage, and equitable access to green infrastructure. This study evaluates the effectiveness of recent green infrastructure projects in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, including flagship parks and upgraded road corridors, through the lens of the Urban Nature Futures Framework (UNFF). To operationalize the UNFF’s three perspectives—Nature for Nature (NN), Nature for Society (NS), and Nature as Culture (NC)—a context-specific set of indicators was developed through the existing literature, global assessment frameworks, and stakeholder consultations. A mixed-methods approach, combining structured surveys with both qualitative and quantitative thematic analysis, was applied across four stakeholder groups: residents, park visitors, corridor users, and experts. The results indicate that while social benefits (NS) are widely recognized, ecological (NN) and cultural (NC) dimensions receive comparatively less emphasis. Regression analysis shows that education, employment, and green space use frequency significantly shape perceptions of NS and NC, while NN are more consistently shared across groups. This study demonstrates the practical value of the UNFF as an assessment tool and offers a replicable methodology for evaluating multifunctional green infrastructure. The findings underscore the need for more inclusive, biodiversity-positive, and culturally grounded urban renewal strategies. These insights are relevant for planners and policymakers aiming to foster equitable and resilient urban environments in rapidly growing cities.

This study examines the role of private water wells in meeting the water demand, quality, and sustainability of groundwater resources in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As the city faces rapid urbanization and a rising population, private wells have emerged as a crucial supplementary water source, particularly in areas where public water supply is inadequate. However, challenges such as insufficient regulation, groundwater over-extraction, and contamination pose significant risks to the long-term viability of these wells. Data were gathered from 449 private wells, with a detailed water quality analysis conducted on 21 of them, focusing on parameters like turbidity, p ^H , nitrate, and fluoride levels. The findings indicate considerable variability in water quality; some wells exceeded safe limits for turbidity and nitrates, while others met acceptable standards for key indicators. Furthermore, groundwater extraction from private wells addresses only a small portion of the city's overall water demand. Compounding issues such as well interference, inefficient water usage, and declining water tables further complicate the situation. The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulation, integrated groundwater management, and active community participation to promote sustainable groundwater use. It also recommends strategies for improved well placement, ongoing water quality monitoring, and necessary infrastructural investments to alleviate the adverse effects associated with private well usage. This research offers important insights into urban water management dynamics and highlights the significance of private wells in supporting water supply in rapidly developing cities like Addis Ababa.