Land liberalization and access to affordable housing in Greater Lomé, Togo, and Greater Nokoué, Benin
In Greater Nokoué (Benin) and Greater Lomé (Togo), it is evident that land liberalization has significant implications for access to affordable housing. This study assesses how land liberalization in Greater Nokoué and Greater Lomé constitutes a barrier to affordable housing access. Using a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative), this study combined household surveys (258 in Greater Lomé and 219 in Greater Nokoué) with in-depth semi-structured interviews (27 in Greater Lomé and 29 in Greater Nokoué). The results reveal that, in both of these metropolitan areas, land liberalization poses enormous challenges, including land speculation. This speculation, which manifests in various forms, not only affects the production of affordable housing but also exposes households to the risks of eviction and social and spatial marginalization. In light of these challenges, it is essential to rethink urban planning in these cities to facilitate the production of and access to affordable housing.
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