HiT Team Presents Sustainable Housing Innovations at 10th Ethiopian Urban Forum
A delegation from the Haramaya Institute of Technology (HiT), a key division of Haramaya University (HU), participated in the 10th Ethiopian Urban Forum held in Samara Logia, Afar Regional State, from November 15–19, 2025.
The HiT team presented research focused on leveraging indigenous knowledge to drive national development and sustainable urban-rural transformation.
Eng. Hamza Ahmednur, Managing Director of the Haramaya Institute of Technology, presented his research paper on “Rural–Urban Transformation and HU’s City–University Initiative Programs.”
His presentation focused on one component of this initiative: the development of sustainable and cost-effective alternative construction materials and technologies for modern, climate-smart, and mass housing.
He highlighted that these innovations serve as key drivers of housing transformation for Ethiopia’s predominantly rural communities (nearly 80% of the population), and are essential to supporting the country’s journey toward prosperity.
Eng. Hamza emphasized that Ethiopia’s rich indigenous knowledge, technologies, engineering practices, and abundant untapped natural resources are key factors in shaping rural–urban transformation and guiding national development policies aligned with the country’s prosperity agenda.
Furthermore, Eng. Hamza underlined that rural transformation lies at the heart of Ethiopia’s overall development and its path toward sustainable and innovative rural–urban development for Ethiopia’s Urban excellence. He stressed that national development policies must prioritize the transformation of rural housing, infrastructure, and essential services for the country’s majority rural population to ensure inclusive and sustainable national prosperity.
He noted that locally sourced materials, indigenous technologies, and engineering practices should serve as foundational pillars, strengthened further through modern scientific research and innovation, which he described as vital.
Eng. Hamza stated that both rural and urban areas in Ethiopia should serve as centers of socio-economic activity, governance, and technological advancement to support the nation’s digital-technology-led urbanization and industrialization strategies. These areas, he added, must remain top priorities for research and policy attention to ensure Ethiopia’s sustainable development trajectory.
Eng. Badaso Ahmed, also a member of the project team, shared similar insights and emphasized that Ethiopia should focus on developing its internal potential and resources across all aspects to accelerate national development.
Finally, on behalf of Haramaya University, Haramaya Institute of Technology, and the entire project team, Eng. Hamza Ahmednur acknowledged the Ethiopia Construction Management Institute for partnership and collaborative project financial support.
Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate
Tags: affordable housing, eco-friendly design, Ethiopia, Ethiopian Urban Forum, green building, HiT Team, innovation, smart cities, sustainable housing, urban development