Housing, Natural Hazards and Flood Disaster Risk Reduction in Accra, Ghana
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Authors
Asiedu Kuffour, Oscar
Date
2024-07-19
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Housing , environmental hazards , disaster risk reduction , flooding , political ecology , network political ecology , developing countries
Alternative Title
Abstract
On March 18, 2015, the United Nations developed and approved the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). The Sendai Framework, which provided new modalities for achieving risk reduction in the next decade, contained targets and priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks. The scope and purpose of the framework was to guide multi hazard management of disaster risk which apply to all disasters that are caused by natural, man-made, technological and biological hazards. The expected outcome of the Framework is a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives and livelihoods of communities and countries. Ghana is a signatory to Sendai Framework (2015-2030) which was adopted by the UN General Assembly.
One of the sectors of the economy that will challenge the realization of global disaster mitigation goals is housing, especially in the developing world. Inadequate housing supply, poor planning, limited housing alternatives and poor services means more people are living in slum conditions. This study presents the story of two peri urban communities in Accra, Ghana, in West Africa experiencing housing crisis and flooding in a delta area and striving to build resilience to flood hazards.
I situate the thesis within the tradition of political ecology. By keeping with this tradition, I hang the thesis on Birkenholtz Network Political Ecology. Trevor Bikenholtz develops network political ecology from regional political ecology and scale theory due to the theory’s ability to examine human and non-human actors in hazard prone spaces. Its applicability in climate change and natural disaster reduction context also makes it more favourable for flood risk research. I apply Network Political Ecology in the flood situation of Tetegu and Glefe, two communities in peri urban Accra, Ghana, to analyze the struggles of both low-income urban dwellers and authorities.
I use scholarly literatures, field observation and semi structured interviews with tenants, landlords, local artisans, municipal officers, and private estate developers to understand the ways poor people navigate life in flood prone areas. The research uncovers that private estate providers are seen by government to be right stakeholders that will build adequate housing and mitigate planning challenges in Accra but they do not have the capacity to fill the housing gap. The study provides an insight into the variety of ways in which poor people make decisions about their housing. It also provides voices to the marginalized as not irresponsible squatters who flout planning and building regulations. Rather, they are victims of non-working housing policy and planning environment.
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International