This book analyzes ancient cities that are facing crisis, and their coping mechanism to maintain resiliency and sustainability to remain economically viable and historically relevant. The book takes a fresh look at the underlying causes of the crises and recommends good governance and strategic planning options that the city could use to develop a robust economy using surveys and other materials, including geez (old Ethiopian language) church sources. This book illustrates the usage of the concepts of resilience and sustainability to critically assess the historical and cultural transformation of cities and the role of local government in maintaining a sustainable community.

A historic city that served as the national capital for close to 250 years, where Christians, Moslems, and Jews lived side by side for centuries, and once dubbed Paris de l'Abyssinie by European travelers because of its rich cultural resources, modern artifacts, and setting of new fashions, today Gondar is experiencing stagnation and decline because of changes that moved the center of political power from the city to Addis Ababa in the central part of the country. Since the last century, Gondar has been struggling to maintain its identity as the historical and cultural center of Ethiopia.

This book also gives insights on some of Gondar's extraordinary historic issues/subjects including who were the main construction workers that built the Fasil castle, how did the Ethiopian Orthodox churches of Gondar sustain themselves for centuries, where is kurate Reesu (the 16th century painting of Christ with crown of thorns) treasured by Gondarian emperors, how did the tabot of Abune Teklehaymanot of Debre Libanos (the most influential church in Ethiopia) end up in Azezo (Gondar) and stayed there for over 260 years, and who were the main royal women that opposed the Jesuits plan of converting Ethiopia to Catholicism?

Presents a comprehensive assessment of local governance of the city of Gondar Gives a fresh look on how political change impacts the city Presents an innovative approach on how to minimize the negative impacts of crises

Autorentext
Mulatu Wubneh is a professor (Emeritus) of planning at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, and an Ambassador Distinguished Scholar at Gondar University.

Inhalt
Part 1. Governance, Planning, Urban Resilience, and Sustainability.- Chapter 1. Governance, Planning, Urban Resilience and Sustainability The Nexus.- Chapter 2. Local Governance and the Comprehensive or Master Plan as a Tool to Enhance Resilience and Sustainability of Communities.- Chapter 3. Community Profile and Characteristics.- Chapter 4. Land Use and Greenways, Housing and Infrastructure.- Part 2. Gondar Through the Layers of History.- Chapter 5. Elements of Historic Preservation and Historic Assets as Major Resources.- Chapter 6. The Imperial Period and Governance Structure of the City.- Chapter 7. The Ecclesiastical Institutions (Churches and Church Schools), Their Governance and Role as Custodian of Culture and Traditional Values.- Chapter 8. The Colonial (Italian) Experience and Post-Italian Developments.- Part 3. Economic Policies and Programs.- Chapter 9. The Economic Base of the City Analysis of Existing Economic Condition.- Chapter 10. Conclusion The Governance and Strategic Planning Process in Formulation of Policies and Programs to Enhance the Resilience and Sustainability of Gondar.