Spatial Distribution of Fire Outbreaks in the Accra Metropolis (2010-2022)
This analysis aimed to uncover the spatial patterns of fire outbreaks in the Accra Metropolis and identify the land use types most susceptible to fire incidents. Land use in the Accra Metropolis was classified into four major categories: residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional.
4.1 Fire Incidents in AMA: 2010-2015
The analysis of fire incidents from 2010 to 2015 revealed a clear spatial pattern (Figure 2a). Commercial and industrial areas experienced the highest frequency of fire outbreaks, while institutional land-use areas had the lowest incidence. The Central Business District (CBD) of Accra and its immediate surroundings emerged as the epicenter of fire incidents, with a noticeable decrease in fire occurrences as one moves towards the peri-urban areas.
To further validate these observations, I conducted a Getis-Ord hotspot analysis (Figure 2b). This analysis confirmed the CBD and its neighboring areas as statistically significant hotspots for fire incidents during this period. The concentration of fire outbreaks in the CBD can be attributed to several factors including the proliferation of unplanned and unregulated structures; the high density of commercial and industrial activities; and the presence of informal settlements and slums [8, 32].
These findings, again align with previous research by [32] and [8], who identified poor urban planning as a major contributor to fire incidents in developing countries' cities. The CBD of Accra, characterized by unplanned and unstructured buildings, with numerous slums in and around it, exemplifies this issue. The prevalence of fire incidents in these areas underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions. As [33] noted, understanding the spatial distribution of fire risks is crucial for effective policymaking, urban planning, and fire management strategies.
4.1.1 Moran's I Autocorrelation (2010-2015)
To provide a statistical foundation for these observations, I performed Moran's I autocorrelation analysis on the 2010-2015 fire incident data (Table 1). The results were not statistically significant (p-value = 0.56), indicating a random distribution of fire incidents across the metropolis during this period. This statistical randomness suggests that the fire incidents that occurred throughout the AMA from 2010 to 2015 were not confined to specific areas. However, it's important to note that visual inspection of the data (Figure and 2a and Figure 2b) still shows a higher concentration of incidents in the CBD and certain suburbs like James Town and Old Fadama.
This apparent contradiction between statistical and visual analyses illustrates the complexity of fire incident patterns in urban areas. It suggests that while certain areas may have higher visual concentrations of fire incidents, the overall pattern across the metropolis was not statistically clustered during this period.
Table 1: Fire Incidents, 2010 to 2015
Global Moran's I Statistics
|
Moran's Index
|
0.035411
|
Expected Index:
|
-0.011364
|
Variance
|
0.006562
|
z-score
|
0.577417
|
P-value
|
0.563658
|
Distance is measured in Meters
4.2 Fire Incidents in AMA: 2016-2019
Analysis of fire incidents from 2016 to 2019 revealed a more defined spatial pattern (Figure 3a). The CBD and North Industrial Areas (NIA) emerged as clear hotspots for fire incidents, aligning with their predominant commercial and industrial land uses. This period also saw a notable increase in fire incidents in residential areas close to the CBD, particularly in low-income neighborhoods where proper land use planning is often lacking. Specific areas identified as high-risk zones include James Town, Mamprobi, Mateheko, Nima, Odorkor, and parts of Dansoman.
The Getis-Ord hotspot analysis (Figure 3b) statistically confirmed these areas were significant hotspots for fire incidents during this period. Interestingly, well-planned residential areas such as Legon, East Legon, GIMPA, and Airport Residential Areas emerged as cold spots, experiencing fewer fire incidents. This stark contrast provides compelling evidence for the role of urban planning in fire prevention.
2.2.1 Autocorrelation Results for Fire Incidents from 2016 to 2019
I employed Moran's I autocorrelation analysis to assess the statistical significance of fire incident distribution in AMA from 2016 to 2019. This method helps determine whether fire incidents are randomly distributed, clustered, or dispersed across the metropolitan area.
As shown in Table 2, the results were statistically significant (p = 0.008) with a positive Moran's Index. This finding suggests that fire outbreaks in AMA from 2016 to 2019 were clustered, indicating that fire incidents were concentrated in specific locations rather than randomly distributed across the metropolis.
These results validate our earlier findings illustrated in Figure 2a, which showed that most fire cases occurred in and around the CBD and other low-income settlements during this period. This clustering of fire incidents in specific areas underscores the need for targeted fire prevention and management strategies in these high-risk zones.
Table 2: Fire Incidents, 2017 to 2022
Global Moran's I Statistics
|
Moran's Index
|
0.178809
|
Expected Index:
|
-0.009901
|
Variance
|
0.005185
|
z-score
|
2.620635
|
P-value
|
0.008777
|
Distance is measured in Meters
4.3 Fire Incidents in AMA in 2020-2022
Figure 4a presents interpolated results of fire outbreaks in AMA from 2020 to 2022. The pattern observed is like those in Figures 2a and 3a, with fire outbreaks still predominantly occurring in and around the CBD, Abosssey Okai, industrial areas, and low-income residential settlements such as James Town, Mamprobi, Nima, Old Fadama, Darkuman, and parts of Dansoman. However, an interesting contrast emerged when comparing the incidents of 2020-2022 with those of 2010- 2015. Areas around East Legon, typically considered high-income residential areas, recorded a notable number of fire cases. This unexpected pattern complicates our understanding of fire risk distribution in the metropolis.
The Getis-Ord hotspot analysis (Figure 4b) revealed that these high-income settlements (East Legon and neighboring communities) were hotspot zones during this period. Interestingly, while the CBD was not identified as a hotspot zone in 2020, cold spot zones were found outside the CBD. Areas such as Achimota, Agbogba, and Akweteyman, which are peri-urban settlements and generally better planned than indigenous settlements like James Town and Nima, were identified as cold spots. This suggests a potential shift in fire incident patterns, with a relative decline in CBD fire incidents as of 2020.
These findings highlight the complex and evolving nature of fire risk in urban areas. While poorly planned, low-income areas continue to be at high risk, the emergence of fire hotspots in well-planned, high-income areas suggests that other factors beyond urban planning may be influencing fire risk. This could include factors such as increased use of electrical appliances, changes in building materials, or shifts in household behaviors [26].
4.3.1 Autocorrelation Results for Fire Incidents from 2020-2022
In Table 3, Moran's I autocorrelation results for fire incidents from 2020-2022 are not statistically significant (p-value = 0.220). This indicates that fire outbreaks in AMA during this period were randomly distributed, in contrast to the clustering pattern observed in the 2016-2019 period.
This shift from a clustered to a random distribution is noteworthy and warrants further investigation. It suggests that while poor urban planning remains a significant factor in fire risk, other variables may be gaining importance. The random distribution of fire incidents, including those in well-planned areas like Legon and the Airport Residential area, indicates that fire risk is becoming more pervasive across the metropolis.
This finding underscores the need for comprehensive fire prevention strategies that go beyond addressing urban planning issues. It also highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive management in urban fire prevention.
Table 3: Fire Incidents, 2020-2022
Global Moran's I Statistics
|
Moran's Index
|
0.544647
|
Expected Index:
|
-0.009346
|
Variance
|
0.204710
|
z-score
|
1.224431
|
P-value
|
0.220790
|
4.4 Urban Planning and Slum Communities in AMA
Analysis of aerial photographs (Figures 5a and 5b) reveals the complex urban fabric of AMA, particularly in the CBD. The CBD, originally intended for primarily commercial functions, now hosts a mix of industrial, institutional, and residential uses. This functional integration, while potentially beneficial for urban vitality, has led to congestion and planning challenges. Of particular concern is the proliferation of poor and unregulated residential structures in the CBD. These structures, often associated with illegal electrical connections, have been identified as major fire hazards [12]. The merging of these unplanned structures with indigenous communities like James Town and Chorkor (as shown in Figure 5b) exacerbates the fire risk in these areas.
In contrast, Figures 6a and 6b illustrate that properly planned built-up areas, such as East Legon, experience fewer fire disasters. This glaring difference in fire incidence between planned and unplanned areas reinforces the critical role of urban planning in fire prevention and management.
These findings align with recent research by [15], which emphasizes the link between urban planning, climate change, and disaster risk in Ghanaian cities. They also emphasize the challenges posed by urban informality in Ghana in [13]. The contrast between areas like James Town and East Legon illustrates the socio-spatial inequalities in fire risk within AMA. This inequality in risk exposure underscores the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas, as well as broader efforts to improve urban planning and infrastructure across the metropolis.
These findings highlight the complex interplay between urban planning, socio-economic factors, and fire risk in AMA. While poor urban planning remains a significant contributor to fire risk, particularly in the CBD and low-income areas, the changing patterns observed in recent years suggest that a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to fire prevention and management is needed. This approach should consider not only urban planning aspects but also socio-economic factors, building practices, and household behaviors to reduce fire risk throughout the metropolis.