Accessibility and Inclusiveness of Public Open Spaces in Fragile Contexts: A Case Study of Kaya, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Public open spaces enhance urban sustainability by promoting social inclusion and supporting the right to the city. Somehow, in fragile contexts, knowledge of the accessibility and inclusiveness of these places, especially in the African context, is scarce. In alignment with the SDGs advocating for equal access to public open spaces, this study investigates how the fragile context impacts the accessibility and inclusiveness of public open spaces in Kaya, Burkina Faso. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in urban fragility and spatial justice theories, data were collected through GIS tools, group discussions involving 73 participants, and a questionnaire survey with a quota sample of 515 residents. Thematic and contextual analysis and Key Influencer tools were used to interpret the data in depth. The findings reveal that the fragile condition of Kaya impacts social groups in different ways. People living in informal housing, internally displaced people, women, aged people, people living with disabilities, and young people are more likely to experience spatial injustice and social exclusion from public open spaces. This study concludes that innovative measures to enhance governance, planning, and investments promote spatial justice, thereby reducing fragility.

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