Everyday urbanism: Informal pathways to mixed-use and compact development in Kumasi, Ghana

Urban informality—characterised by unregulated and self-organised land use practices—has become a defining feature of many sub-Saharan African cities. In Kumasi, formal planning schemes increasingly coexist and compete with informal transformations that reshape neighbourhood structures and uses. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing inclusive and adaptive planning strategies. We examined the intersections of formal planning and informal urban transformations within planned neighbourhoods, focusing on how informal operators (residents and small-scale entrepreneurs engaged in unregulated or semi-regulated land use activities) contribute to mixed-use and compact development. A mixed-methods case study of Ahodwo, a formally planned suburb of Kumasi, was conducted. Data were gathered from 137 informal operators and planning officials through surveys, interviews, and spatial analysis of updated land use plans. The findings reveal that informal transformations have significantly altered the spatial and functional character of Ahodwo. Mixed land uses expanded from 1.6 % to 3.9 % of the total land area between 2014 and 2024, while building density in informal zones increased to 14.7 units per hectare compared to 3.4 units in formal areas. These modifications, through unauthorised extensions, land use conversions, and incremental building additions, represent adaptive strategies by residents to address housing shortages, economic hardship, and service gaps. Although informality has enhanced local employment, accessibility, and compactness, it has also intensified environmental and regulatory pressures. The study demonstrates that sustainable, mixed-use urban morphologies in Kumasi are emerging not only from state-led planning but also through informal practices. Recognising these bottom-up processes as integral components of urban development offers valuable lessons for planners and policymakers seeking inclusive, adaptive, and context-sensitive governance approaches in rapidly urbanising African cities.