Socioeconomic snapshot of Cape Coast

This poster provides a snapshot of an intensive research study undertaken in 2022, in Cape Coast, Ghana, under the auspices of ICLEI Africa’s Urban Natural Assets (UNA) programme. The purpose of the research study was to unpack the interaction between nature and socioeconomic activities, and to assess the risk of degradation to natural assets, to better inform management for a more sustainable metropolis. Several procedures for collecting socioeconomic data, mapping and analysing natural assets were adopted, including household surveys, desktop mapping/digitisation, ground truthing and post-ground truthing editing, field-based vulnerability and risk mapping, and degradation hotspot mapping. Specific data collected from the sampled household heads were their demographic information; dwelling characteristics; household income and expenditure; access to land and security; natural assets within the community per access level, benefits, and dependency on natural assets for livelihood; biophilia attitudes; and inclusion and participation in community development activities. The below infographic gives a brief overview and “snapshot” of some of the key research findings.