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Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre
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Urban livelihoods & the city economy
SAND MINING
Sand and gravel are among the most essential natural resources supporting Sierra Leone’s development. They form the foundation of our homes, roads, tourism facilities, and public infrastructure. As the country continues to urbanise and pursue economic growth, the demand for these materials inevitably increases. However, sand extraction presents complex environmental, economic, and governance challenges that require urgent, forward-looking action. This report contributes to the country’s national understanding of this issue. The study focuses on the Western Area Peninsula and the Mahera Lungi corridor areas that host the nation’s capital, the international gateway to Sierra Leone, and a rapidly growing tourism belt
SAND MINING
Sand and gravel are among the most essential natural resources supporting Sierra Leone’s development. They form the foundation of our homes, roads, tourism facilities, and public infrastructure. As the country continues to urbanise and pursue economic growth, the demand for these materials inevitably increases. However, sand extraction presents complex environmental, economic, and governance challenges that require urgent, forward-looking action. This report contributes to the country’s national understanding of this issue. The study focuses on the Western Area Peninsula and the Mahera Lungi corridor areas that host the nation’s capital, the international gateway to Sierra Leone, and a rapidly growing tourism belt
Urban Livelihoods in Freetown’s Informal Settlements
This policy brief contributes to the understanding of the importance of livelihood systems in informal settlements in Freetown for the women and men who participate in, and benefit from them, as well as for the wider settlements and the city. It is based on research undertaken in Cockle Bay, Dwarzark Farm, Moyiba, and Portee-Rokupa as case study informal settlements in Freetown. This was undertaken through six months of qualitative data collection in these settlements focusing on key livelihood sectors of stone quarrying, sand mining, cockle picking, trading and fishing. It documents the realities of livelihood strategies of men and women living in informal settlements. This was done with the overall aim of informing policy formulation processes that build on the capabilities, needs and priorities of informal settlement dwellers, and assist urban actors and stakeholders to develop appropriate, effective and practical interventions that strengthen the livelihoods of the informal settlements residents and their contribution to both their wellbeing and the wider urban economy.
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