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The municipality of Gagnoa (Central West Ivorian region) came into being as a result of the colonial power’s desire to set up an outpost on the continent, to secure a cost-effective harnessing of the hinterland’s natural economic resources. The town’s economic background made it possible for the then authorities to capitalize on the exploitation of the forestry and agricultural resources that are located in its hinterland. However, the planting-intensive economy also brought a large inflow of people into the town, which in turn had an impact on its progress. Gagnoa’s urban areas increased from 280 hectares in 1952 to 5,400 hectares in 2017, while its population rose from 2,000 in 1948 to 175,000 in 2017 (general population census dated 2014). In the light of the requirements of urban dynamics, social public facilities turned out to be inadequate. In several neighbourhoods, the town lacks drinking water. Households resort to various supply strategies, such as digging wells in the backyards or storing water in tanks. While public lighting remains unsatisfactory in several areas of the town, new urban areas are not serviced at all. As a result, unauthorised housing developments and property speculation are on the rise, all of which expose urban dwellers to hardship. Against this backdrop, human security, as a pursuit of social well-being and high standard of living, is far from being a reality in this very town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]