Between Institutional Silence and Social Misuse: Green Spaces Tested by the Limits of the Communication System in Abidjan

Green spaces are essential components of the urban environment, providing social, ecological, economic and therapeutic functions (Lessard & Boulfroy, 2008). In Côte d'Ivoire, their integration is regulated by Law 62-253 of 1962 and reinforced by the Environmental Code of 1996. In Abidjan, the creation in 2001 of the Directorate of Parks and Gardens aimed to guarantee their development and maintenance. However, despite this normative and institutional framework, these spaces are subject to strong anthropic pressure, resulting in their appropriation for residential, commercial or informal purposes. The results highlight communication dysfunctions linked to messages, channels and actors; which weaken the social and ecological role of green spaces and encourage their misuse.