Addis Ababa is also experiencing rapid urbanization, land scarcity, congestion and strain on the surface
facilities and environmental resources. The city may have a potential solution of the problem through
underground urban space (UUS) as it helps to increase the city functional capacity and still leave the surface
land to mobility, green spaces, housing, and amenities. This study explores the role of underground
development as a part of sustainable urban planning of Addis Ababa by analyzing policy, planning
strategies, governance assessment and other city lessons. The report is founded on a mixed-methods
research method, including an analysis of policy, stakeholder consultation, and case study, defining the
main barriers and facilitating factors to underground development in Addis Ababa. Results indicate that the
underground potential of the city is motivated by land shortage, increasing transport needs, environmental
imperatives, and national development agenda. Challenges though, include regulatory loopholes, disjointed
institutions, and limited funding, as well as poor public awareness. Lack of land-use rights in underground
spaces and zoning and building codes are some of the issues that make it challenging to invest and
cooperate among agencies. The social acceptance is also a critical factor in implementation of underground
systems. Security, comfort, and cultural fit are concerns of the populace that can constrain the use of
underground facilities though all these factors can be addressed by ensuring that the design factors like
lighting, ventilation, and accessibility are given priority. Another finding of the study is that there is low
awareness among the populace and appeals to systematic communication, consultation, and
demonstration projects are needed to create trust. Based on the international experience, the research
highlights that the development of underground spaces should be based on the complex master planning,
backed by geology research, 3D cadastral systems, harmonized governance, bankable financing
frameworks (e.g., PPPs, land-value capture), and technology-based planning (e.g., BIM/GIS, sensor
monitoring). The examples of underground master planning in Helsinki and integrated underground
transport and commercial system in Montreal can give some clarification. The dissertation reaches a
conclusion that the city of Addis Ababa needs to initiate policy change (land-use rights, zoning), institutional
change (coordinating authority), planning (subsurface mapping), capacity-building, and mobilization of the
private-sector by transparent PPPs and incentives. The study is a contribution to the research on
underground urbanism in African cities by providing the principles that are globally applicable and relevant
to the local issues of governance and planning.