The Habesha community: strengthening the unity of the community in Johannesburg

Abstract

This project focuses on the Habesha com-munity in the fashion district in Johannesburg CBD, commonly known as the “Ethiopian quarter”. Habesha is a term Ethiopians and Eritreans use to refer to themselves. The research aims to pro-pose a building design that can serve the community as a uniting factor by catering to their needs, which is to function better together to have a strong unity that can help their weaknesses and celebrate their strength and also give the next generation a glimpse of their culture. The study looks closely at the Habesha community living in Johannesburg. The aim was to explore the socio-economic and cultural activities that take place in shared community facilities. The main focus was on how shared community facilities can help integrate the Habesha community in Johannesburg while being commercially viable at the same time. The findings were arrived at after interviewing several members of the community. The end product of which was a building proposal for a centre in Troy Street, Johannesburg. This proposal offers a kindergarten, soccer field, offices and meeting hall to facilitate and support the beginning of an inclusive and well networked community