Tigray HeritageScapes Restoration Intiative

Scholarships

Thesis support Scholarship reciepents:

Semere Zerabruk

Department/School: Mekelle University, School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Program: Urban Planning and Development

Study Area: Al Nejashi Mosque Precinct, Tigray (Ethiopia)

Thesis Title

Heritage-Sensitive Land Use Planning for Post-Conflict Recovery: The Case of the Al Nejashi Mosque Precinct

Abstract

This research examines how heritage-sensitive land-use planning can support post-conflict recovery and sustainable development around the Al Nejashi Mosque precinct in Tigray, Ethiopia. As one of Africa’s earliest Islamic heritage sites, the mosque holds significant cultural, religious, and spatial values. Following conflict-related damage and partial restoration, the precinct has experienced rapid and largely uncontrolled settlement expansion, land-use conflicts, and weak development control—dynamics that threaten the heritage setting and long-term sustainability of the site. The study aims to develop a heritage-sensitive land-use planning framework that reconciles cultural protection with post-conflict development needs. It uses a mixed-methods approach that combines GIS-based land-use and settlement analysis, field surveys, and satellite imagery with qualitative methods including interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory mapping. Implemented within the THSRI framework, the research draws on spatial documentation resources and community engagement platforms to propose practical planning tools such as zoning recommendations, buffer-zone guidelines, and land-use controls. The study contributes to informed planning practice and heritage protection in Tigray and offers transferable lessons for other Ethiopian contexts emerging from conflict.

Short Bio

Semere Zerabruk holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and is currently pursuing an MSc in Urban Planning and Development at Mekelle University. He is also lecturer at Adigrat University. His interests focus on heritage-sensitive land-use planning, post-conflict urban recovery, and the role of cultural heritage in strengthening communities. He has field experience with Heritage Conservation Associates and the Tigray HeritageScapes Restoration Initiative, supporting architectural heritage documentation and condition assessment. His skills include architectural documentation, condition assessment, and digital heritage recording. He also completed professional training in digital heritage documentation through the Sakura Science Exchange Program administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency in Tokyo, Japan.

Melat Atsbeha Teka

Department/School: Mekelle University, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Program: MSc Structural Engineering

Study Area: Dejat Kahsay Palace, Agulae, Tigray (Ethiopia)

Thesis Title

Structural Assessment of Historic Masonry under Seismic Loading: The Case of Dejat Kahsay Palace

Abstract

This research assesses the current structural condition of Dejat Kahsay Palace in Agulae, Tigray, and evaluates its expected behavior under seismic loading. It investigates how the historic masonry responds to gravity and lateral loads, documents existing damage patterns, and identifies potential failure mechanisms. The study aims to provide a scientific basis for conservation and strengthening interventions so that the palace can better withstand possible future earthquakes. The methodology combines field inspection and damage documentation with material testing of historic stone and mortar, followed by numerical modeling using a simplified micro-modeling approach in ABAQUS. A displacement-controlled pushover analysis is applied to capture nonlinear structural response, including crack initiation and propagation. Due to computational limitations, detailed analysis focuses on a representative wall segment that exhibits significant damage. The outcomes are intended to inform practical strengthening decisions and contribute to the limited evidence base on the seismic performance of historic masonry structures in Ethiopia, supporting engineering-led heritage preservation and risk-sensitive conservation planning.

Short Bio

Melat Atsbeha Teka is an Assistant Lecturer at Mekelle University and an MSc student in Structural Engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Her academic and research interests focus on the structural behavior and seismic assessment of historic masonry buildings. She has experience in field investigation of heritage structures, material testing, and advanced numerical modeling using ABAQUS. Her current thesis examines the seismic performance of Dejat Kahsay Palace, with the aim of supporting scientifically grounded conservation and strengthening strategies for historic structures in Ethiopia.

Tsigab Berihu Beyene

Department/School: Anthropology
Program: Social Anthropology
Study Area: Cheloqot Village, Enderta Wereda, Tigray

Thesis Title

Impact of the Tigray War on Indigenous Creative Industries of Pottery, Basketry, and Embroidery in Cheloqot Village, Enderta Wereda, Tigray

Abstract

This research assesses the impact of the Tigray war on indigenous creative industries—pottery, basketry, and embroidery—in Cheloqot Village, Enderta Wereda, Tigray. It documents the key indigenous knowledge systems, skills, and local materials involved in craft production, and examines how the war has affected artisans’ livelihoods and well-being, including economic conditions, social relations, and psychological experiences. A central focus is the disruption of intergenerational transmission of indigenous knowledge and the ways artisans negotiate continuity under post-war conditions. Using anthropological methods— in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), non-participatory observation, case studies, and secondary sources—the study also identifies locally grounded resilience strategies that can inform post-war recovery planning for community-based creative industries. By recording artisans’ knowledge and lived experiences, the research contributes to broader heritage restoration and recovery efforts in war-affected areas of Ethiopia, supporting both safeguarding of intangible heritage and the revitalization of local creative economies.

Short Bio

Tsigab Berihu Beyene is an Art Educator at Mekelle University’s Arts Academy (Visual Arts Program) and an MA candidate in Social Anthropology. He holds a BEd in Biology and a BFA in Art Education, and his work bridges life, art, and culture. His interests focus on connecting art and communities through public lectures, workshops, art therapy, and exhibition curation. As an artist, his work explores identity; as a researcher, he investigates intangible heritage in community visual arts and its links to identity. He has skills in conceptual art, sketching, anthropological research methods, and creative community engagement.

Alula Gebregziabher Abrha

Department/School: Mekelle University, School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Program: MSc Urban Development

Study Area: Agulae Town, Eastern Tigray — Emperor Yohannes IV Palace precinct

Thesis Title

Heritage-Led Urban Regeneration: Emperor Yohannes IV Palace, Agulae Town

Abstract

This research explores heritage-led urban regeneration through the case of Emperor Yohannes IV Palace in Agulae Town, Eastern Tigray. As a significant nineteenth-century architectural and historical landmark, the palace embodies the legacy of Emperor Yohannes IV and remains a key symbol of Tigray’s cultural identity. Despite its importance, the site is currently affected by structural decay, weak management systems, and limited integration into local development planning. The study aims to develop a practical framework for revitalizing the palace precinct through heritage-based urban regeneration that links conservation with local development priorities. It combines field observation, GIS mapping, stakeholder interviews, and document analysis to assess the site’s physical condition, governance challenges, and regeneration opportunities. The research further identifies strategies for aligning heritage preservation with urban development, community engagement, and sustainable tourism. By demonstrating how cultural heritage can function as a catalyst for economic activity and urban renewal, the study contributes to THSRI’s restoration objectives and supports broader efforts in Ethiopia to safeguard and activate historic assets for inclusive regional development.

Short Bio

Alula Gebregziabher Abrha holds a BSc in Urban Planning and Design from Mekelle University’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning and is currently pursuing an MSc in Urban Development at the same institution. He also works as a freelance urban planner with the Tigray Engineering and Architecture Corporation, contributing to a Local Development Plan (LDP) project in Feleg Daero that integrates urban agriculture, heritage preservation, and spatial planning. His academic and professional interests include cultural heritage conservation, GIS-based planning, and sustainable urban development, with current research focused on heritage-led regeneration in Agulae Town.

Kibrom Meles Kahsay

Department/School: Ethiopian Institute of Technology–Mekelle (EIT-M), School of Architecture & Urban Planning

Program: Postgraduate Program in Urban Planning and Development

Study Area: Heritage sites in Agulae Town, Tigray Regional State (Ethiopia)

Thesis Title

Assessment of Heritage Conservation Practices and Their Challenges (Agulae Town, Tigray)

Abstract

This study investigates existing heritage conservation practices and the major challenges affecting their effectiveness in Agulae Town, Tigray Regional State. Preliminary evidence suggests that conservation efforts are constrained by limited attention and public awareness, weak coordination among key stakeholders, and inadequate maintenance practices that undermine the authenticity and continuity of heritage sites. The research applies a cross-sectional, descriptive, and explanatory design using a mixed-methods approach. Data are collected through focus group discussions, interviews, and field observation. Systematic random sampling is used to select participants from the target population, while purposive sampling is applied to identify key informants from relevant organizations. The study aims to generate practical insights to strengthen conservation practice and improve the sustainable use of heritage resources, with relevance to developing-country contexts such as Ethiopia. It further highlights the importance of informed governance and political commitment in shaping effective conservation strategies. Findings are intended to support responsible authorities in reviewing conservation frameworks and strengthening heritage policy and implementation with a forward-looking, socially grounded perspective.

Short Bio

Kibrom Meles Kahsay is a postgraduate researcher in Urban Planning and Development at the Ethiopian Institute of Technology–Mekelle (EIT-M), School of Architecture & Urban Planning. He holds a BA in Public Management and a BSc in Urban Planning. His academic interests focus on urban governance, heritage conservation practice, and planning systems in rapidly changing towns. He has prior research experience, including a 2016 study assessing the impacts of cobblestone infrastructure on urban development in Adigrat Town. His current thesis examines conservation practices and challenges affecting heritage sites in Agulae Town, Tigray.

Mulugeta Fisseha

Department/School: Architecture

Program: MSc. in Architectural Design and Technology

Study Area: Khe’in Village (approx. 23 km east of Mekelle), Tigray

Thesis Title

Assessment of Vernacular Hidmo Architectural Technology and Its Conservation: The Case of Khe’in Village

Abstract

This research documents, assesses, and supports the conservation of vernacular Hidmo architecture in Khe’in Village, Tigray—one of the region’s largest surviving concentrations of traditional Hidmo residential and church buildings. The study examines how these structures were constructed, how they are used today, and why many are simultaneously still inhabited, deteriorating, or being abandoned. Its primary objective is to understand architectural characteristics, construction technologies, and the key drivers of deterioration and abandonment, and to develop practical and culturally appropriate recommendations for conservation and repair. The research asks how traditional materials and techniques perform over time, which physical and socio-economic factors threaten their continuity, and how continued use and maintenance of Hidmo structures can be encouraged. Methods include field surveys, photographic documentation, measured drawings, mapping, and interviews with local residents and builders to establish a comprehensive record and condition assessment. By proposing sustainable, community-based strategies, the study contributes to safeguarding Tigray’s vernacular heritage and offers a pilot model that can be adapted for other rural settlements facing similar risks of loss.

Short Bio

Mulugeta Fisseha holds a BSc in Architecture and an MSc in Architectural Design and Technology from Mekelle University. He is currently a lecturer at Adigrat University. His academic work focuses on vernacular architecture, with particular interest in integrating traditional building knowledge into adaptive reuse and contemporary needs. His postgraduate research examined the conservation and adaptive reuse of Hidmo architecture, building experience in heritage documentation, material analysis, and sustainable preservation strategies. He has skills in architectural documentation and 3D modeling, participatory field research, condition assessment, measured drawings, and photographic recording.

Tekeste Woldesillassie

Department/School: Mekelle University, Institute of Paleo-Environment and Heritage Conservation (IPHC)

Program: Heritage Conservation and Management

Study Area: Sillasie Chele’qot Church, Tigray (Ethiopia)

Thesis Title

The Contribution of Mural Paintings to Tourism Attraction: A Case of Sillasie Chele’qot Church, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Mural paintings are a vital component of Ethiopia’s cultural heritage, especially in the historic churches of Tigray, yet their role in strengthening tourism attraction remains underexplored and underutilized. This study examines how the mural paintings of Sillasie Chele’qot Church contribute to tourism attractiveness and how their cultural value can support sustainable, heritage-based tourism in post-conflict Tigray. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on semi-structured interviews, field observation, and document review with clergy, community representatives, heritage professionals, and tourism experts. It analyzes the murals’ artistic, symbolic, and cultural characteristics, while also identifying constraints that limit their tourism impact—such as weak documentation, low awareness, conservation challenges, and limited visitor infrastructure and interpretation. The study further explores opportunities to enhance visibility and tourism value in alignment with international heritage frameworks (e.g., UNESCO and ICOMOS) and Ethiopian heritage policies. Expected results highlight the murals’ strong tourism potential due to their iconography, historical depth, and aesthetic richness, and propose practical strategies that integrate conservation, visitor interpretation, and community participation.

Short Bio

Tekeste Welay is an artist and lecturer at the school of fine arts at Mekelle University.

Sirak Gidey

Department/School: EIT-M (Mekelle University), School of Architecture and Urban Planning

Program: Master’s in Architectural Design and Technology

Study Area: Agulae, Tigray (Ethiopia) — Dejat Gebreselasie Kahsay Residence

Thesis Title

Revitalization Through Adaptive Reuse: The Case of Dejat Gebreselasie Kahsay Residence (Agulae, Tigray)

Abstract

This thesis explores adaptive reuse as a strategy for revitalizing abandoned or underutilized historic buildings, using the Dejat Gebreselasie Kahsay Residence in Agulae, Tigray, as a case study. Adaptive reuse is approached as a sustainable alternative to demolition, enabling historic structures that have lost their original function to regain relevance through new uses that benefit communities. The residence—constructed in the late nineteenth century—embodies traditional Tigrayan masonry techniques, symbolic architectural ornamentation, and socio-political narratives that contribute to local cultural identity. However, long-term neglect, compounded by recent conflict impacts, has left the building in critical disrepair and exposed to further threats from urbanization, climate pressures, and shifting cultural priorities. The study proposes an adaptive reuse framework that integrates preservation objectives with contemporary functionality, aiming to support cultural continuity and post-conflict community recovery. By introducing appropriate new activities within the existing structure, the project emphasizes potential positive effects on the surrounding urban and socio-economic context while maintaining the cultural value embedded in the historic fabric.

Short Bio

Sirak Gidey is an architect and lecturer at Dire Dawa University, School of Architecture, and a graduate researcher in Architectural Design and Technology at EIT-M (Mekelle University). His work focuses on sustainable approaches to conserving historic buildings, with particular interest in adaptive reuse as a post-conflict revitalization strategy. He is engaged in design-led research that connects heritage preservation with contemporary needs, emphasizing culturally grounded solutions that maintain architectural identity while enabling new community-oriented functions.

Call for application:

Masters Thesis Support Fund, under the Tigray HeritageScapes Initiative Project funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation.

Are you currently enrolled in a Master's degree program at Mekelle University in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Palaeoanthropology and Heritage Studies, Anthropology, History, or Theatrical and Film Arts or other related fields? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to contribute to cultural heritage research! Applications are now open for the MSc Thesis Support Fund, a part of the Tigray Heritage Scapes Restoration Initiative.

Project Overview: (More detail in about section of this website)

Our project aims to preserve and restore significant cultural sites in Tigray, Ethiopia. We invite Masters program students to participate in this essential endeavor through their thesis research.

Eligible Research Sites:

Nejashi town and surrounding cluster (Mosque, Amanuel Church and Community Settlements)
Agula Town: Emperor Yohannes Palace, Kidane Mihret Church, Archaeological sites etc.
Cheleqot Village: Cheleqot Sillasie Church, Raesi WoldeSillasie Palace, and surroundings vernacular settlements
Khuien Village: Estifanos Church and Vernacular Hidmo Houses

Thematic Areas for Research: We welcome applications focusing on key areas, tailored to address the challenges and goals of our project:

Document architectural, urban, and rural heritage using traditional methods and advanced technologies like photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and drone surveys.
Capture stories of heritage scapes through oral histories and narratives to preserve cultural memory.
Produce video content documenting heritage sites and conservation processes for education, awareness, and archival purposes.
Study effective methods for involving local communities in heritage preservation.
Explore the role of cultural narratives in fostering community participation and ownership.
Experimenting with engaging digital content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to promote cultural heritage conservation.
Assess the impact of manmade and natural hazards on heritage sites. Develop strategies for risk mitigation and post-disaster resilience.
Analyze and present heritage conservation data using advanced tools to inform decision-making and restoration planning.
Use GIS tools to map, monitor, and plan the conservation of heritage clusters and scapes effectively.
Investigate the integration of traditional and modern techniques for sustainable restoration of heritage structures.
Develop strategies for material conservation, structural stabilization, and climate adaptation.
Utilize documentation and research findings to design educational materials for local communities, schools, and stakeholders.
Explore the role of heritage restoration in sustainable tourism, community development, and economic growth.

Funding and Support:

Selected students will receive appx. 10,000 Birr/month for research semester period. They'll also benefit from:

Working closely with experienced researchers and conservation professionals.
Access to workshops, training sessions, and digital platforms.
Supervision and mentorship from project-affiliated researchers and Mekelle University.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit:

A cover letter detailing their research interest and alignment with project goals.
A detailed research proposal including thematic area, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Curriculum Vitae highlighting academic and research experience.
A consent letter from an academic advisor. (To be submitted later after primary acceptance)

Deadline: Open between Dec. 2024 to Nov. 2025

Submission: Email applications to heritage.scapes@mu.edu.et with the subject "Tigray HeritageScape Initiatives– MSc/MA Thesis Support Fund Application [your name]."

Contact Information: For more details, reach out to

Project Academic Assistant:

Binyam Fitsum, Lecturer, Mekelle University.

Heritage.scapes@mu.edu.et

📱 +251 91 483 7562

Contacts for respective fields in offices:

Alula Tesfay Asfha, Ph.D. Project Lead. School of Architecture & Urban Planning MU/ Goethe University of Frankfurt.

Binyam Fitsum Arefayne. Project Academic Assistant. School of Architecture and Urban Planning. MU.

Gebremeskel Teweldemedhin. School of Architecture and Urban Planning. MU.

Selemun Kahsay. PG program coordinator, Architectural Design Technologies program. MU.

Berhane Aregawi. School of Civil Engineering. MU.

Yirga Asefa. Tigray Bureau of Culture and Tourism. MU.

Haftom Teklay. Dean of Institute of Paleoenvironment and Heritage Studies. MU

Conference and Publications

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