Residential Mobility of Slum Dwellers in Metropolitan Accra

Abstract

It is trite knowledge that urban dwellers face several residential challenges in African cities including Accra. While on that, how the poor slum dweller navigates through this rough and complex terrain of residential mobility remains very patchy in the context of African literature. This study explored the typology of slums and the factors influencing the residential mobility behavior of slum dwellers in Nima and Old Fadama in the Accra Metropolis. The study relied on the triangulation of the LifeCourse and Neighbourhood Change theories as a theoretical guide to explore the residential mobility behavior of slum dwellers. The thesis adopted a qualitative approach which focused on gathering retrospective interviews on residential mobility experiences of slum dwellers, traditional authorities and state and non-state actors. Additionally, observations and digital images were taken to support the data. The study argues for slums to be accepted as a dominant mode of urban production through the slum ‘continuum’ concept and further proposes 4 new typologies of slums. The study also revealed that slum dwellers' mobility was influenced by biographical, socio-economic (Life-stage), and neighbourhood factors. Gender, household size, and educational levels were found to increase the propensity for residential mobility among slum dwellers. However, as slum dwellers get older, the propensity to make residential moves reduces. Also, life-stage factors, such as childbirth, change in employment, change in marital status, and homeownership caused disequilibrium in the residential needs leading to residential adjustments to meet residential needs. Homeowners were firmly rooted, while renters had a higher propensity to move, but mostly within the same neighborhood. However, most slum dwellers became adjusted stayers rather than relocating to new neighborhoods due to the deep sense of identity and attachment to their communities as a result of the strong social networks, family and friends, religion, and business investments. The study concludes that generally, slum dwellers in both study areas appear to be more rooted and stable in their residential moving behavior. The study recommends that the government accept slums as a dominant form of neighbourhood production and integrate slum dwellers into the formal system of utility payment. The study also recommends a new focus on private individual affordable housebuilders in the National Urban Housing Policy. Lastly, the government, to achieve an inclusive city, slum upgrading and redevelopment agenda, must develop its plans collaborating with the local alternative government structures in slums.