Exploitation and spatial dynamics: case of Akanda in the north of Libreville (Gabon)
Dimitri Essono Milla, Moïse Tsayem Demaze, Jean-Claude Ndong Mba. Exploitation and spatial dynamics: case of Akanda in the north of Libreville (Gabon). Bulletin de la Société Géographique de Liège, 2022, 79, pp.63-77. ⟨10.25518/0770-7576.6797⟩. ⟨hal-04812028⟩
The urban sprawl of the metropolis of Libreville, following the gradual loosing of its major urban core, occurred towards the northern, eastern and southern peripheries. The municipality of Akanda is the result of this process in the northern part. The construction of its space is essentially based on economic and commercial logics. Thus, quarrying for laterite and sand extraction has helped to contribute over the decades to structuring of its habitat. The attractiveness of these quarry milieu was so strong that it led to change the occupation and land used. Today, has a population of more than 34,000 inhabitants spread over two subdivisions, the urban neo-commune that are served by a number of the equipment and the quality services, that permit them to compare with the city centre of Libreville. This contribution highlights the links between the dynamics of the original village core and the influence of the actual urban core, despite, the suspension of the quarry activities decreed in 2011 by the government. An identification of the former quarry sites, using the aerial photo and satellite images Spot and Yandex of 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2020, was carried out to evaluate spatial dynamics and multiscalar manner. Several constructions along the tracks are assessed in relation to the proximity to quarry sites on the basis of 100m, 200m and 300m buffer zones. The cartographic rendering shows that the economic influence of the milieu has been the powerful in factor in attracting of urban dwellers. Many buildings built thanks to the previously roads built by quarry operators clearly demonstrate this dynamism, despite, inadequate supervision of the urban sprawl.
The urban sprawl of the metropolis of Libreville, following the gradual loosing of its major urban core, occurred towards the northern, eastern and southern peripheries. The municipality of Akanda is the result of this process in the northern part. The construction of its space is essentially based on economic and commercial logics. Thus, quarrying for laterite and sand extraction has helped to contribute over the decades to structuring of its habitat. The attractiveness of these quarry milieu was so strong that it led to change the occupation and land used. Today, has a population of more than 34,000 inhabitants spread over two subdivisions, the urban neo-commune that are served by a number of the equipment and the quality services, that permit them to compare with the city centre of Libreville. This contribution highlights the links between the dynamics of the original village core and the influence of the actual urban core, despite, the suspension of the quarry activities decreed in 2011 by the government. An identification of the former quarry sites, using the aerial photo and satellite images Spot and Yandex of 2008, 2013, 2015 and 2020, was carried out to evaluate spatial dynamics and multiscalar manner. Several constructions along the tracks are assessed in relation to the proximity to quarry sites on the basis of 100m, 200m and 300m buffer zones. The cartographic rendering shows that the economic influence of the milieu has been the powerful in factor in attracting of urban dwellers. Many buildings built thanks to the previously roads built by quarry operators clearly demonstrate this dynamism, despite, inadequate supervision of the urban sprawl.