Bahir Dar Boating

Bright and early we are waiting in the garden of the Ghion hotel; the launching point of our survey boat trip of the Bahir Dar waterfront. Birds chirp around us as they move through the vibrant flowers of the impeccable maintained garden. Jacaranda trees shed their blossoms into a carpet of purple as Ethiopian patrons sit on the terrace enjoying their morning macchiato. This restaurant may not have much in the way of food, but what keeps everyone returning time and time again is the garden; the perfect image of Bahir Dar.

This trip is designed to give us an overview of the area we are hoping our plan will help us protect. My CUI team has been invited to Bahir Dar by the Region Urban Planning Institute and the City Administration to help develop a sustainable waterfront development plan that will help guide Bahir Dar’s growth over the next 20 years. Heading out on the water we see huge white pelicans covering the islands around the wetland shores; fisherman in papyrus reed boats throw their nets out into the shallows and all along the shore; people are bathing and washing in the lake. The brush that lines the shore is covered by clothing and sheets lain out to dry in the hot sun. Environmental preservation and sustainability is one of our key goals with this project and the wetlands surrounding the lake are at the center of this. Providing not only animal and bird habitat, but also acting as a filter for pollutants in the lake, the wetlands survival is integral to the survival of Bahir Dar itself. Without them, the city will lose the beauty that it is famous for and along with it, its tourist industry.