CARACTERISATION DES INEGALITES SOCIO-SPATIALES DE L'ACCES A L'EAU POTABLE A PARAKOU (BENIN)

Abstract

The issue of access to drinking water is a major challenge in developing cities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The Commune of Parakou, in Benin, presents significant disparities in access to this essential resource. Through a survey conducted among 402 households in various neighborhoods, this research analyzes the socio-spatial inequalities in access to drinking water using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and Ascending Hierarchical Classification. The analysis identifies four distinct socio-economic groups: i.) 32.34% of low-income peri-urban households consume less than 20 L/day and have difficult access (34.6%) to water, ii.) 46.27% of modest urban households consume between 20-50 L/day with average access (51.1%); iii.) 7.96% of precarious urban youth have incomes below 50,000 CFA francs and average access (84.4%), iv.) 13.43% of affluent urban households consume more than 50 L/day and benefit from easy access (31.5%).

The results reveal a marked socio-spatial divide between urban households with better access and peri-urban households facing economic constraints and limited infrastructure.

This research highlights the urgency of equitable planning and infrastructure strengthening to reduce these disparities.