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Spatial Planning in Ghana: Exploring the Contradictions

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  • Prosper Issahaku Korah
  • Patrick Brandful Cobbinah
  • Abraham Marshall Nunbogu

Abstract

The purpose of this research is twofold: to explore the complexity of spatial plan preparation and implementation in Ghana using Kumasi as a case study; and second, to examine the contradictions of spatial plans and ‘actual development’ occurring in Kumasi. Using social science research methods (semi-structured interviews) and physical survey (land use plans), findings indicate that spatial planning in Kumasi is a bureaucratic process hijacked by urban planning agencies with limited involvement of urban residents. As a result, urban development is considerably influenced by spontaneous informal development patterns (i.e. self-organization). This phenomenon of self-organization is expressed in a context of uncertainty created by weak spatial planning system which encourages haphazard development. Regrettably, in Kumasi, self-organization is often overlooked by spatial planning agencies as they focused on rigid and exclusionary spatial plans. This paper advocates consideration and integration of self-organization processes in spatial planning efforts to respond adequately to the urban development challenges confronting Kumasi.

Suggested Citation

  • Prosper Issahaku Korah & Patrick Brandful Cobbinah & Abraham Marshall Nunbogu, 2017. "Spatial Planning in Ghana: Exploring the Contradictions," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(4), pages 361-384, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cpprxx:v:32:y:2017:i:4:p:361-384
    DOI: 10.1080/02697459.2017.1378977
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Emmanuel Frimpong Boamah & Clifford Amoako, 2020. "Planning by (mis)rule of laws: The idiom and dilemma of planning within Ghana’s dual legal land systems," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 38(1), pages 97-115, February.
    2. Karakadzai, Thomas & Bandauko, Elmond & Chaeruka, Joel & Arku, Godwin, 2023. "Examining the conformance of development to local spatial plans amid rapid urbanisation in Harare, Zimbabwe," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    3. Cobbinah, Patrick Brandful & Asibey, Michael Osei & Gyedu-Pensang, Yaa Asuamah, 2020. "Urban land use planning in Ghana: Navigating complex coalescence of land ownership and administration," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Neema Simon Sumari & Gang Xu & Fanan Ujoh & Prosper Issahaku Korah & Obas John Ebohon & Neema Nicodemus Lyimo, 2019. "A Geospatial Approach to Sustainable Urban Planning: Lessons for Morogoro Municipal Council, Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-14, November.
    5. Asabere, Stephen Boahen & Acheampong, Ransford A. & Ashiagbor, George & Beckers, Sandra Carola & Keck, Markus & Erasmi, Stefan & Schanze, Jochen & Sauer, Daniela, 2020. "Urbanization, land use transformation and spatio-environmental impacts: Analyses of trends and implications in major metropolitan regions of Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).

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