Launching of the Innovative Rural Housing Competition

Innovative Rural Housing competition, a unique architectural competition which aims to address the living conditions of Ethiopia’s rural communities, will be officially launched by Ato Wondwossen Kiflu, State Minister for Education on Thursday, October 19th 2006.

Entrants will design rural houses and settlements which preserve the positive features of traditional rural housing while introducing innovative features protecting the environment and improving access to utilities. Presently, only 2% of rural households have access to electricity, less than 20% have access to taps from wells, and 70% do not have modern toilet facilities. For the standard of life for rural dwellers to improve, this situation must change.

The competition will last from 23rd October, 2006 to 23rd January, 2007, when the winners in the professional and student categories will be announced. In total 240,000 (two hundred and forty thousand) Birr has been earmarked for prizes. First prize for professionals is 100,000 (one hundred thousand) Birr, the largest ever prize for such a competition, and 30,000 (thirty thousand) Birr for students.

Thursday’s event will start the month-long registration process, which aims to highlight a planned approach to rural housing and address the specific economic and cultural needs of communities. The themes of the competition are vital if Ethiopia is to address the growing problems rural dwellers face.

The Association of Ethiopian Architects (AEA) invites members of the AEA, other registered architects, engineers, town planners, design offices and architecture students to participate in the Innovative Rural Housing competition. Winners will be chosen by a jury of experts and will have their work exhibited at a special ceremony.

Engineering Capacity Building Program (ecbp) sponsors the competition. Ecbp is committed to the rapid development of the Ethiopian economy through reform of universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), improved quality infrastructure, and promotion of the private sector.

The launching of this competition will be held in the “Blue Building”, beside Alem Cinema, at 3pm on Thursday, October 19th, 2006. A reception will follow the official registration opening.

For more information about registration:

AEA Office

Tel: 0911 665078

Tel: 0911 206652