Public Green Spaces and Roads as Public Spaces: Morphology, Accessibility and Spatial Justice in the Peripheries of Greater Lomé and Yaoundé

Abstract

Against the backdrop of rapid peri-urbanisation reshaping major cities in sub-Saharan Africa, this study examines equity of access to public spaces through an integrated analysis of public green spaces (PGS) and road public space in the periphery’s areas of Greater Lomé and Yaoundé. It adopts a comparative, multi-scalar approach, combining the metropolitan scale with four contrasted peripheral sectors. The methodology relies on quantitative spatial analyses of PGS using OpenRouteService within QGIS 3.44.2, the calculation of equity indicators (Equity Gap and Relative Accessibility Index), a morphological assessment of road networks, and field observations of travel conditions. The results reveal structural spatial divides common to both cities, albeit expressed differently. At the metropolitan scale, PGS provision is critically low, 0.55 m² per capita in Yaoundé and 0.25 m² per capita in Greater Lomé, well below the World Health Organisation recommendation. These deficits are exacerbated in peripheral areas, where access distances exceed 20-minute travel-time thresholds by factors ranging from 13 to 47. Despite slightly better external accessibility in Yaoundé, high equity indicator values (above 1) in both metropolises indicate deeply unequal access, particularly disadvantaging emerging peripheral sectors. Analysis of road public space further shows that contrasting network morphologies, monocentric in Greater Lomé and polycentric in Yaoundé, do not mechanically translate into more equitable accessibility. While peripheral areas in Greater Lomé display satisfactory and stronger road connectivity, the environmental and functional quality of streets remains deficient in both metropolises, with more pronounced shortcomings in Yaoundé. By integrating urban morphology, spatial performance and mobility experiences, this research underscores the need for urban policies refocused on spatial justice and environmental equity.