PROBING PUBLIC SPACES AND PROVIDING A PLACE FOR LEISURE

Abstract

leisure " is an essential element of human biology and psychology. “Selam Ber” , which makes part of the Central Business District (CBD) of Wolkite, is formed by 5 or 7 blocks deep in both sides of the Addis Ababa – Jimma Highway The town lacks open spaces, green areas and leisure areas (plays ground). City green space and leisure is also vital for the inhabitants since it provides such benefits as leisure and educational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, and provides psychological satisfaction and social interaction as well as maintains environmental balance. The general objective of the research is investigating for impact of the possible presence, activities, place of expression of the people, identify the relationship between neighborhood and leisure space, then providing place for Leisure. In order for a complete feeling of well-being we must be able to escape, to connect with nature, to get in touch with the nerve of Mother Earth. people suffering some stress do seem to become more relaxed and to feel more positive about themselves and their lives when they have seen or visited natural areas. The knowledge that we can escape appears to have some benefit, and there are obvious benefits in being able to visit a more natural area, close to home, whenever we want. The leisure space is an all-embracing term that covers all those places where people feel they can achieve that special feeling of being ‘away from it all’. Before now, there is no leisure space intentionally studied and designed in Wolkite town nevertheless there is a proposed space for leisure space on the NDP. The reason for lack of the leisure space in Wolkite town which people need many have different reason and problems, more over since I’m architect I can only perform to tackle the problem in the architectural area. In this paper I included researches which made internationally and nationally about how the leisure space and design is a huge requirement of a certain society. After that I have collected and analyzed data. Then I gave a recommendation about it and then the design process proceeded which I have done based on the research site context on the design