Slums in Semi-Arid Regions: An Analysis of the Vulnerability and Coping Strategies of Selected Neighbourhoods in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Issaka Kanton Osumanu^1*, Abubakari Ahmed², Raqib Abu Salia³, Abdul-Rahim Abdulai⁴, Alfred Dongzagla⁵

¹Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
²Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
³Department of Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
⁴Institute of Local Government Studies, Accra, Ghana.
⁵Department of Planning and Management, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.

DOI: 10.4236/cus.2015.34027                

Abstract

This study investigates the vulnerability of slum dwellers and the resulting coping strategies of three spontaneous neighbourhoods in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. The study relied on mixed methods with questionnaire administration as its main data collection technique focusing on the social, economic and environmental dimensions of slums. It found that, even among slum close neighbourhoods, the overall degree of vulnerability varies thereby representing a potential source of dynamic resource for small cites. Slums selected are less vulnerable to environmental issues than socioeconomic dimensions. The sustainability challenges therefore lie within the improvement of social and economic choices. An identification of place based capabilities, opportunities and localised constraints could serve as basis for designing of an appropriate planned intervention.

Keywords

Coping Strategies, Ghana, Semi-Arid, Slums, Sustainability, Urbanization, Vulnerability

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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