Speakers
Description
Elmina is an ancient coastal town in Ghana's central region. It faces challenges common to many African slums, including inadequate housing, poor sanitation, limited water supply, and socio-economic neglect. These vulnerabilities are intensified by its coastal setting and by its heavy dependence on small-scale fisheries. This makes Elmina a critical site for exploring climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. This study applies ecosystem thinking, a holistic framework that emphasizes the interdependence of social, economic, and environmental systems. The goal is to develop integrated solutions for Elmina’s slum communities, including Terterkessim, Ayisa, and Old Town. Using a mixed-method approach, the study combines interviews with local leaders, municipal officials, and professionals, alongside resident surveys. The findings reveal interconnected crises: severe overcrowding, structurally compromised housing, poor sanitation, dependence on marine resources for livelihoods, and heightened exposure to erosion and storm surges. To address these challenges, the study proposes a Sustainable Slum Infrastructure Ecosystem Model (SS-IEM). The model is built on five interconnected components: (1) climate-resilient housing, (2) decentralized water and sanitation systems, (3) natural storm buffers through mangrove restoration, (4) livelihood-integrated spatial planning, and (5) participatory governance frameworks. It highlights how infrastructure, ecosystem, and social systems interact. The model also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 6, 11, and 13. The findings show residents strongly support resilient infrastructure when participatory processes respect cultural heritage and community priorities. The SS-IEM demonstrates how systems thinking, local innovation, and inclusive governance can drive sustainable transformation in Elmina. It also provides transferable lessons for coastal slum upgrading across Africa.
Keywords: Sustainable infrastructure, ecosystem thinking, slum upgrading, coastal resilience, participatory planning, Ghana.