Suchir Gupta
Research Mentor(s): Brandon Finn
Mentor Department: The Informal Sustainability Lab
Authors: Brandon Finn
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 106
Abstract
Agbogbloshie is among the world’s largest electronic waste (e-waste) dumping and recycling sites, and Old Fadama is an informal settlement directly adjacent to Agbogbloshie and home to over 100,000 people. The primary challenge in the region lies in the lack of a clear distinction between the e-waste processing and recycling area and the informal settlement, leading to significant health and environmental risks. However, e-waste recycling constitutes a vital source of livelihood and income for many residents of Old Fadama. Thus, despite the severe health risks and poor living conditions, the population of Old Fadama has continued to grow, driven by the expansion of Ghana’s e-waste industry. This research, conducted in collaboration with partners in the University of Ghana and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, seeks to establish the first-ever geolocated data collection approach in the twin informal settlements of Old Fadama and Agbogbloshie. The study involves conducting a survey of residents in the region, structured into 5 main sections: general information, housing and living conditions, income and employment, health, pollution and the environment, and access to resources. The primary objective is to map the spatial distribution of inequalities in the twin informal settlements. As the first ever geolocated survey conducted in the region, analyzed data will be made publicly available to inform urban planning policy in the region. By providing a geospatial understanding of socioeconomic inequalities, the findings will assist the the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in dealing with the challenge of sustaining livelihoods while mitigating health and environmental risks.
