Socio-Spatial Patterns of Flood Occurrence and Adaptation in the Tamale Metropolitan Area (TaMA), Ghana.

Abstract

This study examines the socio-spatial patterns of flood occurrence and adaptation in the Tamale Metropolitan Area (TaMA) Ghana, focusing on differences among Kalariga (high-income), Nalung (medium-income), and Koblimahagu (low-income). Guided by Urban Political Ecology and Urban Resilience Theory, the research explores how income, spatial location, and governance shape flood exposure, institutional support, and community adaptation. Using a cross-sectional, exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, the study integrates geospatial analysis, a household survey of 281 respondents, and qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. The findings show that flooding is frequent across TaMA but disproportionately affects low-income communities due to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage, and weak enforcement of land-use regulations. Institutional adaptation is unevenly distributed, with high income areas receiving more timely support, while fragmented coordination and overlapping mandates limit effective flood management. Communities demonstrate varied coping practices: high-income households employ preventive structural measures, whereas low income groups rely on reactive, low-cost strategies that do little to reduce long-term vulnerability. The study recommends strengthening drainage, green infrastructure, and waste management through community–city partnerships; enhancing coordination and data sharing via an open Flood Information Hub; and empowering women and youth groups as key actors in preparedness and awareness. It further proposes the establishment of university-led Flood and Waste Innovation Labs to support low-cost technological solutions and evidence-based policy. Empirically, the research deepens understanding of how socioeconomic, climatic, and human drivers interact to shape spatial vulnerability. Theoretically, it demonstrates the value of integrating social and spatial analysis for equitable, resilience-oriented urban flood governance aligned with SDG 11 and SDG 13.