Embedded Support : Chinese Aid Projects in the Horn of Africa—Case Studies of Djibouti City and Addis Ababa

Lacking resources and still under the shadow of their colonial past, the countries in the Horn of Africa have struggled over past decades with low urbanization rates and high poverty rates. Since the 1970s, China has provided aid projects to these countries in the form of public buildings, educational projects, and infrastructure. Such projects, which aim to support local economic development, have been embedded in the countries’ urban life and have furthered the indigenous urbanization process. This chapter is based on research combining documentary collection with on-site investigation and observation of urban space and development, and interviews that were conducted with scholars, managers, and building end-users to examine Chinese aid projects and their roles. Taking Djibouti City and Addis Ababa as examples, this chapter analyzes how Chinese aid projects in the Horn of Africa have been embedded in urban space and have supported urban development. It aims to provide a realistic view of Chinese aid projects overseas, rethinking the process of design, construction, implementation, and subsequent operation and maintenance.