The City of Addis Ababa, which is the Capital city of Ethiopia and the diplomatic capital ofrnAfrica, is currently experiencing multiple problems related with its spatial and Physicalrndevelopment. Its existing urban environment is characterized by poor urban image andrnabsence of adequate facilities and services of international standards. These problems of therncity are well prevailed by its poor quality urban public open Spaces, which were designed inrnsuch a manner to be utilized for various needs at a city level, among others.rnThe general objectives of this study are therefore to find out how two well known public openrnspaces in Addis Ababa, Meskel square and Leghar Park, are currently operating and how thernsociety is using them in everyday life; and also to analyse the major factors that affect theirrncurrent operation.rnThe study will attempt to answer the following questions: how these spaces of the city arerncurrently operating? I.e. how does the society use them in everyday life? Besides, who isrnresponsible for the planning, design and management of urban open public spaces In AddisrnAbaba? How do urban open public spaces in Addis Ababa created, developed and used?rnWhat kinds of facilities are provided by these spaces in the city? And, who actually uses thesernspaces?rnThe research focuses on the current operation of urban open public spaces in Addis Ababarn(i.e. those which are accessible for everyone).It employed a case study method. The currentrnoperation of the selected case study areas are analysed according to their sociability, use andrnactivities, access and linkage, & comfort and image. By doing so, the study tries to analysernhow several factors related with their planning, management and design affect or influencerntheir current operations or roles in the city. It also tries to draw lessons that might help in thernformulation of policies and guidelines related to the issue.rnThe findings of the study indicated that, in Addis Ababa Meskel square play several importantrnroles. It function as a forum for political demonstrations; as a social space whereby therncommunity performs its historic, religious and other socio-cultural activities which include:rnSport tournaments, music festivals, recreation and ritual observances. On the other handrnLeghar Park. Currently functions as a transit station area though it is not designed for thisrnpurpose. The significance of both public open spaces in the city is unarguable; however,rncurrently due to various factors their operation or performance as a public space is highlyrnthreatened.rnProblems related with these spaces of the city are multifaceted. They have problems relatedrnwith their management; access, environmental design; and physical design. Additionally thernprivatisation of considerable amount of other public open spaces in Addis Ababa has affectedrnthe accessibility and in general the public ness of such spaces in the city.rnTo improve their weakness and to protect and enhance the positive attributes of the publicrnopen spaces, the study recommends the following. Revitalization policies and programs thatrnare based on urban design principles and guidelines should be developed. The programsrnshould take into account: the users` characteristics and purposes of these spaces, thernaccessibility, management, environmental design and physical design of these spaces