Green space depletion in Ghana’s Urban Settlements: a case of Kumasi
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Date
2015-04-15
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Abstract
Green spaces constitute an integral part of an urban environment. Unfortunately,
Kumasi, Ghana‘s second largest and fastest growing city and the ―Garden City of
West Africa‖ has lost much of its green spaces over time. Various human activities
created in the city in an attempt to attain a higher level of development have led to the
depletion of its green spaces. Green spaces are constantly being lost to other land uses
such as residential, educational and circulatory and little is being done to remedy the
situation.
The study sought to give a broad discussion on the causes of green space depletion in
Ghanaian urban settlements with particular reference to Kumasi and propose
pragmatic measures to ameliorate the situation. The study adapted the case study
approach and utilized publications that related to urban green spaces in Ghana and
Africa. The study also made use of the consultative approach in order to have diverse
views on the research topic. The data gathered were edited and coded. They were then
analysed using statistical software known as Statistical Package for So cial Scientist
(SPSS) version 16.
Some of the major findings of the study were that, green space depletion in Kumasi is
caused by factors such as: high land rent for other land uses, laxity in the enforcement
of development controls and low priority to green spaces by city authorities. The
study also proposed among other measures that there should be an intensive public
education on the benefits of urban green spaces in the City.
The general public and all stakeholders of urban green space should put in a concerted
effort towards the preservation of the green spaces in the City to restore its ―Garden
City‖ image.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning and Management.