Fragmented Urbanisation in Accra: Tracing the Evolution of Agbogbloshie in the Context of Global and Local Dynamics

Abstract

This paper contributes to increasing and updating the level of knowledge about the Agbogbloshie site in Accra. Starting from the most recent decongestion activity that led to the demolition of the main e-waste recycling site, the paper aims to reconstruct the main global and local dynamics that have contributed to the construction, shaping and now reconfiguring the urban space of the site. Trough the comparison of ethnographic studies conducted on the site and the review of literature on African urbanisation, the paper identifies characteristic traits belonging to the process of urban space formation and urbanisation on the continent within the site's history. The paper concludes that the development of Agbogbloscie can be traced both within the long-term trends of the fragmentary colonial and post-colonial urbanisation process in Accra as well as to the influence of external elements attributable to the current phase of globalisation. With reference to the formation of the scrapyards, the paper analyses the factors that have established links between the local and global dimensions by making Agbogbloshie one of the main hubs for international e-waste traffic. Lastly, the paper traces the dynamics that led to the recent demolition of the recycling site and invites future research to reflect on the possible instrumental use by urban political authorities of the issue of environmental sustainability and economic development to re-appropriate urban spaces to the detriment of the most vulnerable citizens belonging to the informal living and working dimensions.