AN EXPANDED APPROACH TO URBAN RESILIENCE: THE CASE OF ACCRA, GHANA

Urban resilience refers to “the ability of a [urban] system, entity, community or person to adapt to a variety of change conditions and to withstand shocks while still maintaining its essential functions” (World Bank Group, 2015). This ability to adapt and change in response to shocks and stressors becomes increasingly important in an urban context. We can consider three significant reasons for this situation: (1) increased urbanization often leads to poorly-managed growth and unsustainable land use; (2) rapid urbanization is associated with an increased vulnerability to environmental and social shocks and stressors; and (3) urban poor populations are more likely to be impacted by these shocks and stressors. When urbanization is carried out in an inclusive and resilient manner, it enables the sustained reduction of poverty and improvements in shared prosperity. The main objective of this paper is presenting a case study argument about the efficacy and deficiency of some city policies, as well as propose recommendations on how technology can improve the city infrastructure and build resilient systems to withstand shocks and stressors in Accra. For this study, an expanded literature review on urban resilience, ICT technologies, and smart cities practices was conducted. Data analysis, mapping techniques, and field trip images complete the analysis of the case study. As part of the data collection strategy, interviews were conducted, from 2017 to 2018, with officials from the national and local governments, ministries, and World Bank Group staff in Accra, Ghana.