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作者

Alexander K. Eduful

来源

CITIES,Vol.119,Issue1,Article 103371

语言

英文

关键字

Shopping malls;Urban economic development;Traditional authority;Pro-poor;Pro-growth;Ghana

作者单位

Oxford University, School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY. UK;Oxford University, School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY. UK

摘要

In the neoliberal globalization era, urban economic development (UED) has become topical issue in several sub-Saharan African cities. This paper investigates economic impact of shopping malls, and the role traditional rulers could play in enhancing poverty reduction through mall development. Using a case study methodology involving two of Accra's (Ghana) malls and relying on poverty reduction/wealth creation conceptual framework, the paper finds that the impact of (an informal) decision arrived with traditional chiefs has a more demonstrable impact on West Hills’ local communities and better enhances poverty alleviation than Accra Mall where no such decision was made. Concurrently, the paper finds that local participation in malls, related to wealth creation for citizens, is low. The paper, therefore, argues that the involvement of traditional authority typifies organic form of UED and that while the malls may be enhancing poverty reduction, they may not be enhancing wealth creation to any substantial degree. The paper, therefore, recommends a national policy on malls to optimize malls’ economic benefits.