FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND U.

PLANNING
BOTANIC GARDEN IN BAHIR DAR CITY
NAME: SAID DESALEGN
ID 1563/11
INS: MERKEB P

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TABLE OF CONTENT
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background and Justification ……………………………………1
1.2 Contextual Background ………………………………………….2
1.3 Problem of The Study ……………………………………………3
1.4 Objective ………………………………………………………….3
1.5 Research Questions ……………………………………………….4
1.6 Significance of The Paper ………………………………………..4
1.7 Limitation of The Study …………………………………………..5
1.8 Limitation of The Study …………………………………………..5
1.9 Definition of Used Terms ………………………………………...6
1.10 Research Design …………………………………………………...6
1.11 Organization of The Study………………………………………....7
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 What is Botanic Garden …………………………………………….8
2.2 Development of Botanical Garden ..…………………………….......9
2.3 The Relevance of Botanic Garden …………………………………10
2.4 Types of Botanic Garden ………………………………………...10

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Abstract
It is an innate human nature to be curious, to want to know or learn something new. When
something catches the eyes of a person, he or she examines the thing, studies it, observes it, and
touches it so as to learn about the phenomenon. From passive observations and active interactions
a person gradually learns about his/her world. From the dawn of human history, people have been
engaged in exploring their surrounding; and in more recent history this exploration has extended
to the cosmos. They are very curious and get obsession with the extra territorials. But, they always
miss the question what are the basic materials for their survivals on the earth and what are the basic
materials for their basic needs. They are aware of their shelter, cloth and food. But, they miss the
question of what are the basic materials for these basic needs? They are even ignoring the air they
take from. Plants are our lives but we are always mistreating them. It seems we are not bothering
in their existence.
This research is intended to provide detailed technical information on the problems of the existing
botanical garden and social awareness in Ethiopia particularly in Bahir Dar city and thereafter, it
will provide all the necessary information relevant for the future botanic garden design in the city.
It suggests an appropriate design approach which is contextual for the city. It also contribute to
respective national flora projects and, share the design ideas and design trends of the world
effective botanic garden design center. It can be also as a reference for students in this knowledge
and the city administration for the future city planning considerations.

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 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background and Justification

It’s well known that plants provide food, fodder, fuel, Fiber, Shelter, medicine as well as
raw material for production. Technological advancement, however, has accelerated the rate
of deforestation leading to loss of plant diversity at a much faster rate than natural processes
Human and livestock pressure, and of late, climate change are leading to loss Of a number
of plant species from their natural habitat. It has therefore, become essential to provide
alternate protection/ shelter to such Species. It has been estimated that about one fifth of
the plant species are facing threat of extinction. If timely remedial measures are not taken.
Reserves play an important role in protecting these plants in their natural habitats.
Conservation of plant diversity assumes greater importance when the world is facing
unprecedented loss of biological diversity. It is estimated that about 60.000 out of
2,687.655 species of plants known in the world are facing the threat of extinction (Yonas
Yemshaw, 2004).
The gardens are recognized as one of the world's most important natural resources
providing vital ecosystem services associated with social, economic and cultural values
and their continued decline or loss due to various biotic pressures, can have a major impact
on human wellbeing. Therefore, there is an urgent need to take conservation action. At a
time, when humankind is struggling with both the current realities and future implications
of global climate change and biodiversity loss, the conservation of threatened plants
through Botanic gardens could be one approach to reversing the threat of extinction facing
up to one fourth of all plants (Willison, 2006).
Botanic Gardens and other plant conservation Centers in the world act as Centers for
rescue, recovery and rehabilitation of threatened and endemic species of plants and other
valuable plant genetic resources. The Botanic Gardens also play on important role in
education, and as Centers of training in areas Such as horticulture, gardening, landscaping,
conservation and environmental awareness. In addition to this they provide a wild life
habitat, recreational opportunities, provide clean air and water, prevent natural disasters
such as soil erosion and flooding, and also important biotic checks for pests’ diseases and
serve as defense line against global climate change (Leadlay, 2007).

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 1.2. Contextual Background
People in the developing countries are always miss the question of what are the basic
materials for those basic needs. They are even ignoring the air we take from. Plants are
human’s lives but they are always mistreating them. They are found everywhere in a
scattered manner. There is also a need to show things related to plants which are varied and
interesting. Indigenous plants like buildings, monasteries and animals can be a basic
tourists place or way of income for those developing country like Ethiopia (Dawit Abebe,
1986).
The flora of Amhara region is very heterogeneous and has endemic elements. It has been
identified as place of plant endemism of continental importance. The vegetation types in
this region are highly diverse ranging from the afro- alpine to desert vegetation. It has a
large number of plant species and a recent work indicates the number of higher plants are
more than 1000 species from which 12 % are probably endemic. We need to protect and
conserve them. We should provide area for knowing and to take a research center to create
a better green hybrid place on earth (Dawit Abebe, 1986).
Gojjam zone especially Bahir Dar city is unquestionably a critical region for flora diversity,
with the limited study that has been undertaken. Botanic gardens will continue to be
humanity’s main scientific, aesthetic and social link to plants. They serve to educate, to
explore, to fascinate, and to discover. They will continue to reflect our evolving
relationship with plants and the rest of the natural world. In other case, Every time when
people thinks about the use of Lake Tana, they always think about fish production or
recreational environment around it. But, why not we use lack Tana for developing and
conserving indigenous plants? As the economy has developed, the people expectations of
a better quality living environment with aesthetically pleasing recreational spaces have
increased. In addition to this, the increasing awareness of the need for environmental
protection has resulted in a rethinking of the ‘garden city’ model. But, there is lack of
awareness in the society about the existing floras and the scientific purposes. Ethiopia in
general is a country of many indigenous plants. They should have a place for education
and research center to explore, fascinate, and discover. They will continue to reflect our
evolving relationship with plants and the rest of the natural world.

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 1.3. Problem of The Study
The indigenous Ethiopia plants and their habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate,
many even before they have been named or studied. Discovering, identifying, and
documenting species through scientific inventory is imperative if the country’s biota is to
be rescued from extinction and its habitats preserved.
As human populations increase in the country their encroachment on natural habitat
expands, humans are having detrimental effect on natural diversity. By 2050, Ethiopia
could lose tens of hundreds of plant species with some estimates predicting a loss of up to
one-eleventh of the world’s plant species about 150,000. Technological advancement has
accelerated the rate of deforestation leading to loss of plant diversity at a much faster rate
than natural processes Human and livestock pressure, and of late, climate change are
leading to loss Of a number of plant species from their natural habitat. It has therefore,
become essential to provide alternate protection/ shelter to such Species (R&D Magazine).
Even though having a lot of opportunities, Bahir Dar city is going a very harsh climate
condition. This issue becomes the most prominent problem not to live in Bahir Dar. So, we
need to deal or solve this issue.
There is also lack of awareness in the society about the existing floras and the scientific
purposes. Ethiopia in general is a country of many indigenous plants. They should have a
place for education and research center to explore, fascinate, and discover. They will
continue to reflect our evolving relationship with plants and the rest of the natural world.
Therefore, collecting and documenting ethno botanical knowledge before it is lost forever
is a fundamental urgent task. Hence, documenting and conserving ethno botanical
information of the surrounding area would be crucial and a timely endeavor. For this
reason, this study initiates things to gather, record and document indigenous knowledge
dependence of the surrounding people on plant resources, to compile a checklist of ethno
botanically most important plants for medicinal and wild edible purpose and find how the
local people try to conserve these habitats and the plant species of the area.

1.4. Objective
1.4.1 General Objective
The main objective of this study is to explore the potential of Bahir Dar city
by selecting specific site and choosing appropriate type of botanical garden
through a detail study of different botanical gardens in different parts of the
world which will invoke and serve the city as a stage for an environmental
stewardship and education.

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 1.4.2 Specific Objective
1. To create an awareness to the community and relationship between
human and plants knowledge in terms of:
• Usage
• Collection/production
• Conservation
2. To create a knowledge transferring center by integrating the botanic
garden with public

1.5. Research Questions

• What are the historical abundance of plants around Bahir Dar city, how many of the
plant species in the city got extinction in those recent decades and what are the main factor
of species declination in the area?
• What are the main deriving forces and potentials for the development of botanic garden
in Bahir Dar city and what is the best and appropriate site for the construction of this
botanical garden in city?
• What kind of botanical garden could be designed in Bahir Dar city to invoke
environmental stewardship and education?

1.6. Significance of The Paper

There is always a need to show things related to plants which are varied and interesting.
Indigenous plants like buildings, monasteries and animals can be a basic tourists place or
way of income for the country. If they get a better place
For their conservation, it will play scientific centers, as places where people of all ages can
study and learn about plants and the environment. Through research and educational
programs, botanic gardens engage us with the natural world and help people to understand
and appreciate the many important functions that plants play in our lives. Today, botanic
gardens have also become more than hubs of scientific knowledge. Gardens give neighbors
and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature without leaving the city, and
they offer communities a place for gathering, recreation, and celebration.
Gardens are shared spaces, and the best public gardens are great contributions to the
community. They are places for leisure and spaces for people of all ages, ethnicities, and
origins to come together. Whether experienced individually or collectively, a great garden
has the ability to bring serenity, happiness, and a “heart” to a community.

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 Considering the above advantages of botanic garden, this paper will provide all the
necessary information relevant for the future botanic garden design in Ethiopia. It also
contribute to respective national flora projects and, share the design ideas and design trends
of the world effective botanic garden design center. It can be also as a reference for students
in this knowledge and the city.

1.7. Scope of The Study

This paper deals with the technical considerations and design provisions or measures to be
taken into account in the planning of botanic garden and research center. This includes
issues related to the design of several complementary domains: the cultivation areas, open
Spaces, recreational spaces, public displays, garden structures, pathways, the immediate
vicinity of buildings, and the interiors of buildings.
A botanic garden that provides workable and stay able spaces, affordable buildings, strong
neighborhoods and connectivity in adjust areas. But, this study addresses the workable and
livable requirements of botanic garden in consideration to the type of users and their
activity interests in the district. The design proposals are especially for the situations of the
city that require architectural and somewhat landscape planning. It will comply with state,
national, and international laws and regulations regarding the collection, acquisition,
importation, distribution, sale, and use of plant material, and promote and encourage
compliance among affiliated groups, including nurseries, members, plant societies, and the
general public.

1.8. Limitation of The Study

The study faces different limitations that have influenced its extensiveness. Some of them
are:
• Lack of related local researches.
• Lack of related texts and references within the library.
• Lack of public awareness for related issues.
• Lack of detailed research on this subject.
• Lack of information about the knowledge and the plant types.
• Lack of opening to the public. .
• Lack of public awareness for related issues.
• Time limits

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 1.9. Definition of Used Terms
Amhara Region: officially the Amhara National Regional State, is a regional state in
northern Ethiopia and the homeland of the Amhara people. Its capital is Bahir Dar which
is the seat of the Regional Government of Amhara.( (Dawit Abebe, 1986).)
Bahirdar City: Bahir Dar is the capital city of the Amhara region in northern Ethiopia. It’s
a port on the south shore of the huge inland Lake Tana. Dek Island is one of many islands
in the lake that are home to medieval monasteries. On the Zege Peninsula, the Ura
Kidane Mihret monastery is known for its elaborate, colorful murals. The Blue Nile River
snakes southeast of the city toward the towering cliffs at the Blue Nile Falls (Dawit
Abebe, 1986).
West Gojjam: is bordered on the south by the Abay River which separates it from the
Oromia Region and Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the west by Agew Awi, on the north
and northwest by North Gondar and also on the north by South Gondar, and on the east
by East Gojjam. Its highest point is Mount Amedamit. Towns in West Gojjam include
Bahir Dar (Dawit Abebe, 1986).,
Lake Tana: is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. Located in
Amhara Region in the north-western Ethiopian Highlands, the lake is approximately 84
kilometers long and 66 kilometers wide, with a maximum depth of 15 meters, and an
elevation of 1,788 meters (Dawit Abebe, 1986)..

1.10. Research Design

Methodology design incorporates identification of “major steps and creating a logical
sequence by which the research question, the empirical data and finally the proposal are
included” (Yin 1994). In this study, designing of the methods go through steps of case
selection, sampling, data collection and data analysis techniques.

Data Types: The final output is expected to be a qualitative type. In this case, the
quantitative data from the quasi-experimental is used to enhance and advance the
qualitative data from the exploratory. Data sources:
The investigation on the existing problems (based on the users’ perception, the
professionals’ view and the researcher’s investigation), and the investigation on the future
preferences of the users’ and professionals’ (in Bahir Dar University, agricultural
department and Amhara agricultural institute).
Documented data which are related to the regional overview and to the botanic garden
issues of the city. Thesis studies from individuals, and magazines are provided.

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 Prevalent published materials, planning reports, design proposals, newspapers,
documentary videos and maps are also provided from the government institutions/
municipality.

Data Collection Techniques

The questionnaire for the investigation of the existing botanic garden and research center
problems and the future preferences is prepared in 3 types: the in depth interview, map
making, and site observation.

In-Depth Interview: They are extensive interviews that encourage a respondent to talk
freely and in depth about a topic. This investigation is made to explore the perceptions of
the users’ and the views of the professionals’ on the existing problems and on the future
botanic research center situations of the district.

Map Making: In this section, each interviewee was supposed to put or map his/her idea
of enhancing the botanic garden in reference to the idea said in the in-depth interview. In
this part, some of the interviewee who were able to sketch, made their map by themselves.

Site Observation: This approach was conducted by the researcher’s direct visual contact
with the study site. It is an investigation on the district conditions which can affect the
workability and usability of a space.
This was the data source for the site inventory and Analysis. This technique included
recording of data in the already prepared table of site investigation, taking existing pictures
and videos, and sketching to grasp the overall situations.

1.11. Organization of The Study

In this chapter, the researcher has tried to illustrate the basic fact of plant life on city that
we cannot damage it without damaging ourselves. It is convincing that there is no better
way to do this, no way more concrete, personal, and compelling, than to demonstrate that
our health and lives depend on biodiversity, on the health and the biological richness of the
living world.
The study shows that Bahir Dar is one of the best place in the country which is very suit
for plant conservation. Plants are living things that can grow or otherwise die. They need
proper sun light, fertile soil, and sufficient water to survive. Based on the analysis all this
requirements abundantly found in Gojjam zone and it could be an appropriate site for future
botanical garden.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2. Literature Review
Introduction
The purpose of this review is to uncover the existing wealth of knowledge which
currently exists related to the field of botanic garden design. By examining the
related scholarly contexts of the study issue, the researcher has determined what
information and research into this field is already available. In addition, the literary
study will also identify issues and concepts which have not yet been adequately
explored in the literature to date and which are in need of future research. The
theoretical insights gained as a result of this process will be applied later in this
research project to analyze the study findings.
It will provide basic information related to the study beginning with defining the
term by itself in different literatures and hand books then by extending the ideas it
will cover the history and evolution of botanic garden design, the trend and relevance
of those existing botanic gardens. Its typologies, design development, design style
and the scope (size) of the project will also be included. After that the research will
have a small paragraph for conclusion to sum-up all the ideas.
2.1 What is Botanic Garden?
Botanic garden 2 is an ample area set aside for the growing and effective display of all the
different kinds of worthy ornamental trees, shrubs, vines and other plants which can be
grown in a given area, their maintenance, proper labeling, and study. It usually includes in
addition, a collection of dried plants or herbariums and such facilities as lecture rooms,
laboratories, libraries, museums and experimental or research plantings (Encarta, 2007).
Botanic gardens are institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the
purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education' (Wyse-Jackson,
1999). Manie (2007) also defined a botanic garden as a collection of living plants that is
scientifically managed for the purpose of education, research, conservation and community
service.
Design trends in botanic design Site selection trend: Before the plan can be made, a site
must be decided upon, and the size of the area to be developed should be determined in
relation to the sources and amount of available resources. The site could well be a local
spot of beauty, of historical significance, or an existing part of a park if suitable (Fak 1990).
Project: Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.

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 2.2 Development of Botanical Garden
Gardens and the cultivation of plants have been around thousands of years with the first
examples dating as far back as 2697 BC in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Garden design
has increased in significance in relation to buildings over recent years. While its importance
has traditionally been associated with the historic country house. The formation of Botanic
Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) in 1987 at Kew, an institution that has long
been active in the field, provided a framework for expanding these efforts worldwide. This
dream became increasingly concrete during the period 1995-2006. At the XVI International
Botanical Congress proposed that a worldwide system be established for plant
conservation, and had in mind the importance of establishing a frame work that would
encourage individual nations to establish their own plans and goals for plant conservation
as part of an overall effort (Leadlay, 2007).
Botanic gardens were complex institutions in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries,
serving economic and scientific, as well as aesthetic functions. For our purpose, only the
relationship between the plans of botanic gardens and the scientific and aesthetic principles
underlying them will be discussed. It is possible to trace this relationship in a number of
botanic gardens and botanical writings, both European and American that were produced
from the mid-eighteenth to early nineteenth centuries(Leadlay, 2007)..
The transformation of botanic gardens during this period reflects how changing perceptions
of the natural world. Landscape aesthetics, and the history of ecological sciences
influenced their organization and consequently their design. Greater knowledge about the
natural habitats of plants, the ability to recreate environmental conditions, as well as the
desire to see nature unrestrained by artistic devices converged to influence garden design
in general, and botanic gardens specifically (Leadlay, 2007).
Historically, garden design has swung to and fro between a rigid structure of bedding and
parterres to the other extreme of picturesque landscapes. But, today many gardens consider
the educational possibilities of new plantings almost before any other practicalities.
Seeking to enlarge their audience, botanic gardens have developed special fun and
discovery areas for children, the physically or mentally challenged and other special
audiences (Leadlay, 2007).
Education is a fundamental purpose of botanic gardens, from informal and formal
education for people of all ages to life-long learning. Currently, there is much discussion
on ways of communicating information and guided tours, leaflets or audio tours, for
example. There is room to consider only a few points here, related to plant displays (Ann
Leng, 1994).

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 2.3 The Relevance of Botanic Garden
The relevance of any botanic garden or an arboretum, be it large or small, is to grow (and
to keep labeled) the best of the ornamental woody plants which will thrive in a given
locality. Many other objectives may be considered, such as the actual introduction of new
plants into cultivation, actual exploration of remote regions, the growing of all types of
woody plants hardy in the area, scientific investigations of various kinds including plant
breeding and hybridization, help document local, regional, and national floras, the
maintenance of a large herbarium and library, and laboratories of various types-these may
be legitimate functions of an arboretum, depending on the funds available, and the
qualifications of the members of its staff. Gardens have many different purposes: attracting
visitors, displaying plant diversity, conservation, education, teaching, research, tranquility,
heritage, and both human and plant history (Ann Leng, 1994).
Botanic garden will enrich people’s lives through outstanding displays and programs, serve
as a model for sustainability, and inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards
as they learn more about plants and the entire natural world. In the fourth largest
metropolitan area in the country, our gardens will be places of great beauty providing an
oasis for quiet contemplation, learning, inspiration, and research.
The goal of botanic garden is to present information about plant diversity resulting from
the collections and research programs to a wide audience for the purpose of furthering
research and increasing biodiversity literacy among students and the general public (Ann
Leng, 1994).

2.4 Types of Botanic Garden

Even though there are no formal criteria or general agreement as to what constitute a
botanic garden, some worldwide literatures have been classified under the following types:
(Leadlay, 2007).
1. Classic Multi-Purpose gardens: These are often institutions with a broad range of
activities in horticulture and horticultural training; research is particularly in taxonomy
with associated laboratories and public education and amenity.
2. Ornamental Gardens: These are often very beautiful establishments with diverse plant
collections that are documented; they may or may not currently have research, education
or conservation roles. Some ornamental gardens are privately owned and many municipal
gardens fall into this category.
3. Historical Gardens: developed for the teaching of medicine; some were established for
religious purposes. A number of these gardens are still active in medicinal plant
conservation and research.

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 4. Conservation Gardens: Most have recently been developed in response to local
needs for plant conservation. Some contain, or have associated areas of, natural vegetation
in addition to their cultivated collections. Included in this category are native plant gardens,
which only cultivate plants from their surrounding region or national flora.
5. University Gardens: Many universities maintain botanic gardens for teaching and
research. Many are open to the public.
6. Combined Botanical and Zoological Gardens: These gardens are currently
reassessing the roles of their botanic collections.
7. Agro-Botanical and Germ Plasm Gardens: These function as an ex situ collection of
plants of economic value or potential for conservation, research, plant breeding and
agriculture. Some are experimental stations associated with agricultural or forestry
institutes and contain associated laboratory, plant breeding and seed testing facilities but
many are not open to the public.
8. Alpine or Mountain Gardens: This garden type is most frequently found in mountain
regions of Europe and some tropical countries. They are specifically designed for the
cultivation of mountain and alpine flora, or in the case of tropical countries, for the
cultivation of subtropical or temperate flora. Some alpine and mountain gardens are
satellite gardens of larger lowland botanic gardens.
9. Natural or Wild Gardens: these gardens contain an area of natural or semi- natural
vegetation which is protected and managed.
10. Horticultural Gardens: Horticultural gardens are often owned and maintained by
horticultural societies and open to the public. They exist primarily to foster the
development of horticulture through the training of professional gardeners, plant breeding,
registration and conservation of garden plant varieties.
11. Thematic Gardens: These specialize in growing a limited range of related or
morphologically similar plants or plants grown to illustrate a particular theme generally in
support of education, science, conservation and public display. Plants grown include
orchid, rose, rhododendron, bamboo and succulent.
12. Community Gardens: These are generally small gardens with limited resources,
developed for, and by, a local community to fulfill its particular needs, such as recreation,
education, conservation, horticultural training, and the growth of medicinal and other
economic plants.

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 References
Ann, Leng. Heritage conservation. Wellington City, 1994.
Austin, Pelli Clarke Pelli at UT in. Architecture Week People and Places. March 12, 2013.
Booth, Hansen. Plant Conservation Science Center . Chicago: R&D Magazine, February
1, 2010.
Bowers. Fort Worth Botanic Garden Master Plan. Texas, May 19, 2010.
Carol Williams. Bringing a Garden to Life. chicago, may 7, 1998.
Chmielewski, Rotzer. ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT STATE OF BOTANIC
GARDENS. Ghana, 2001.
Cleland. BOTANIC GARDEN USER OUTCOMES: A MEANS-END
INVESTIGATION. California, 2006.
Dawit-Abebe. PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY MANEGMENT. Addis Ababa,
1986.
Ed-wulfe. Botanical Gardens & Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. Florida, 2001.
Fak. CATALOGUING AND RECORD KEEPING FOR PLANT COLLECTIONS.
Berlin, 1990.
Fernandez. GUIDELINES FOR ASSISTANCE TO BOTANICAL GARDEN. Bonbe,
1998;

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