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The production of flood vulnerability in Accra, Ghana: Re-thinking flooding and informal urbanisation

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  • Clifford Amoako

    (Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana)

  • Daniel Kweku Baah Inkoom

    (Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana)

Abstract

To date, understandings of flood vulnerability in African cities have been conceptually and practically limited. A dominant focus on the geophysical and biophysical causes of flood events restricts the analyses to the source of flood events and does not pay critical attention to the internal actors, dynamics and processes of informal urbanisation where the burden of flood impacts usually fall. This paper challenges these analyses by approaching the problem of flood vulnerability through an understanding of informal urbanisation. The study is based on experiences from selected informal communities in Accra, Ghana. Drawing on mixed qualitative methods including community focus group discussions, hazard victims’ interviews and institutional consultations/surveys, the study reveals that flood vulnerability in informal settlements has co-evolved with the dynamics of informal urbanisation and dwelling processes. The paper therefore makes a case for a re-look at the epistemology and ontology of urban flooding in rapidly and informally urbanising areas in the Global South.

Suggested Citation

  • Clifford Amoako & Daniel Kweku Baah Inkoom, 2018. "The production of flood vulnerability in Accra, Ghana: Re-thinking flooding and informal urbanisation," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 55(13), pages 2903-2922, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:55:y:2018:i:13:p:2903-2922
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098016686526
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Azunre, Gideon Abagna & Amponsah, Owusu & Takyi, Stephen Appiah & Mensah, Henry & Braimah, Imoro, 2022. "Urban informalities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A solution for or barrier against sustainable city development," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Philip Antwi-Agyei & Frank Baffour-Ata & Sarah Koomson & Nana Kwame Kyeretwie & Nana Barimah Nti & Afia Oforiwaa Owusu & Fukaiha Abdul Razak, 2023. "Drivers and coping mechanisms for floods: experiences of residents in urban Kumasi, Ghana," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(2), pages 2477-2500, March.
    3. Codjoe, Samuel N.A. & Gough, Katherine V. & Wilby, Robert L. & Kasei, Raymond & Yankson, Paul W.K. & Amankwaa, Ebenezer F. & Abarike, Mercy A. & Atiglo, D. Yaw & Kayaga, Sam & Mensah, Peter & Nabilse,, 2020. "Impact of extreme weather conditions on healthcare provision in urban Ghana," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    4. Raymond Seyeram Nkonu & Mary Antwi & Mark Amo-Boateng & Benjamin Wullobayi Dekongmen, 2023. "GIS-based multi-criteria analytical hierarchy process modelling for urban flood vulnerability analysis, Accra Metropolis," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 117(2), pages 1541-1568, June.
    5. MacTavish, Robert & Bixby, Honor & Cavanaugh, Alicia & Agyei-Mensah, Samuel & Bawah, Ayaga & Owusu, George & Ezzati, Majid & Arku, Raphael & Robinson, Brian & Schmidt, Alexandra M. & Baumgartner, Jill, 2023. "Identifying deprived “slum” neighbourhoods in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana using census and remote sensing data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    6. Hsi‐Chuan Wang & Agustina María Bazán, 2023. "HOUSING INFORMALITY IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH: Insights from a Policy Comparison between Accra and Buenos Aires," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(5), pages 833-860, September.
    7. Afra Foli, 2023. "The heterogeneous politics of infrastructure: Claims of authority in Accra’s drainage," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 41(7), pages 1459-1473, November.

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