Sustaining urban green spaces in Africa: a case study of Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

399 Pages·2015·8.36 MB·English

by  Collins Adjei Mensah

SUSTAINING URBAN GREEN SPACES IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF KUMASI
METROPOLIS, GHANA

by

COLLINS ADJEI MENSAH

A thesis submitted to
the University of Birmingham
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Centre for Urban and Regional Studies
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Birmingham
July, 2015
University of Birmingham Research Archive

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ABSTRACT
Urban green spaces are useful natural assets that support the development of cities in diverse
ways. However, statistics show that these spaces are under severe threat with the situation in
Africa been critical. This study sought to assess the governance of urban green spaces and
develop sustainable strategies to address problems affecting the development of urban green
spaces in the context of Africa. The case study design was used and Kumasi Metropolis
(Ghana) was selected as the study area. Different qualitative research techniques were
employed whilst representatives of green spaces organisations and the local people constituted
the study population. The study revealed that there is poor state of urban green spaces in
Kumasi with factors such as urbanisation, poor enforcement of development controls,
conflicting land ownership rights on green spaces, and lack of priority to green spaces being
among the major causes for that. This problem was further exacerbated by complexity in the
governance of green spaces, poor regulation of power among stakeholders, lack of community
participation, and lack of consensus in decisions on green spaces. Sustainable strategies
recommended to address the situation include controlling encroachment of green spaces,
prioritising green spaces and building stronger collaborative governance for green spaces.

i
DEDICATION
To my wife Augustina Anoom, and children Clifford, Christabel, Caroline and Carolina.

ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To God be the glory for a great thing he has done. I am very grateful to God for helping me to
successfully complete the 3-year journey of my PhD programme. Apart from the spiritual
support of God, the completion of my PhD programme was achieved through the support and
efforts of some important personalities. First of all, I would like to extend a heart-warming
thanks to my supervisors Dr. Lauren Andres and Dr. Mike Beazley for their wonderful
guidance, ideas, and advice on my thesis. Special thanks also go to Prof. Jon Coaffee of
University of Warwick who was my main supervisor at the beginning of my programme and
to Dr Simon Pemberton of Keele University and Dr. Julian Clark of University of
Birmingham who at a point in time acted as one of my supervisors. In fact, I appreciate all the
efforts and intellectual thoughts of my various supervisors. It helped me to come up with a
brilliant PhD thesis which has already produced four articles in highly respected peer review
journals.
I wish to extent my profound gratitude to Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND)
for fully sponsoring my studies in UK. Credit goes to Prof. P. K. Acheampong, Dr. Barima
Antwi and Dr. Simon Mariwah of University of Cape Coast (Ghana) for various supports they
provided to enable me complete my programme successfully. I also want to acknowledge
various contributions from my family and friends such as my mother Beatrice Agatha Manu,
Ayanda Roji (Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo), Isaac Aiddo (PhD colleague, University of
Birmingham), Emmanual Osei Boateng (UK), Aaron Ahali (UK), Dauda Suleman, Dr. Otuo
Serebour Agyemang (University of Cape Coast), and all the members of Church of Grace
Ministries at Birmingham.
Finally, I thank all my study participants for volunteering to contribute their ideas and
experiences to make my thesis a success. For example, Collins Ohene Gyan (Development
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Planning Unit of KMA), representatives from the Department of Parks and Gardens, Town
and Country Planning Department, Lands Commission, Forest Service Division, Wildlife
Division, Department of Horticulture (KNUST), Department of Planning (KNUST), Angel
Estate and Construction Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, selected private
horticultural companies, and the media especially Captain Smart (formerly of Fox Fm,
Kumasi) and Owuahene Addae Acheampong (Angel Fm, Kumasi). The Chiefs, assembly
men, unit committee members, and the local people from Ahodwo, Nyiaso, Patasi, Danyami,
and Amakom Neighbourhoods of Kumasi who participated in the study, I really appreciate
your efforts because without your involvement this thesis could not have been possible.
I cannot forget all my PhD colleagues at University of Birmingham (Room 225) for
their wonderful encouragement and motivation especially Jannah Abidin, Tom Davis, Tom
Disney, Elly Harrowel, Colin Lorne, Komali Yenneti, Upuli Perera, Bin Lee, and Tae Suk.
The last but not least, all individuals who helped me in diverse ways either secretly or openly
but their names were not mentioned, I say thank you. The almighty God who sees in secret
will bless you abundantly to replenish whatever support you gave to me.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT i
DEDICATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS v
LIST OF FIGURES xiii
LIST OF TABLES xvi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xviii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION PAGE
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 5
1.3 Aim and objectives of the study 6
1.4 Methods 7
1.5 Structure of the thesis 9

CHAPTER TWO: GREEN SPACES AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN
PLANNING 12
2.1 Introduction 12
2.2 Nature and definition of urban green spaces 13
2.2.1 Typology of urban green spaces 16
2.2.2 Standards and coverage of green spaces in cities worldwide 19
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2.3 Contributions of green spaces to urban development 25
2.3.1 Social contributions of green spaces 26
2.3.2 Environmental contributions of green spaces 29
2.3.3 Economic contributions of green spaces 31
2.4 Urban development models/theories on green spaces 34
2.4.1 Theories on planning around green spaces 35
2.4.1.1 The garden city model 35
2.4.1.2 Green planning models 39
2.4.1.3 Green urbanism 43
2.4.2 Theories on efficient urban land-use or land preservation 44
2.4.2.1 Compact city theory 44
2.4.2.2 Smart growth and new urbanism 46
2.5 Green spaces and sustainable urban development 49
2.5.1 Environmental sustainability and green spaces 50
2.5.2 Environmental justice and green spaces 54
2.6 Conclusion 58

CHAPTER THREE: GOVERNANCE OF URBAN GREEN SPACES:
THEORIES AND CONCEPTS 60
3.1 Introduction 60
3.2 Social sustainability and governance: two intertwined concepts 61
3.3 The concept of urban governance 65
3.3.1 Structural perspective of urban governance 66
3.3.2 Cultural perspective of urban governance 67
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3.3.3 Rational perspective of urban governance 68
3.3.4 Reflection on the three perspectives 70
3.4 Theories of urban governance 72
3.4.1 Summarising ideas on various theories of urban governance 79
3.5 The collaborative governance theory 80
3.5.1 Who participates in collaborative governance? 81
3.5.2 Features of collaborative governance 81
3.5.3 Applications of collaborative governance 87
3.5.4 Concluding comments on collaborative governance theory 89
3.6 Concept of policy transfer 91
3.7 Conceptual framework for the study 93
3.8 Conclusion 98

CHAPTER FOUR: URBAN GREEN SPACES AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF GHANA 100
4.1 Introduction 100
4.2 The nature and conditions of urban green spaces in Africa 101
4.3 Challenges facing the development of urban green spaces in Africa 105
4.3.1 Pressure of urbanisation 106
4.3.2 Insufficient operation of urban planning regulations 108
4.3.3 Social-economic and political challenges 112
4.4 Regulatory and institutional framework for town planning in Ghana 116
4.5 Sustainable development strategies in Ghana 128
4.5.1 Vision 2020 129
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4.5.2 Renewable Natural Resource Sector Strategy 130
4.5.3 Comprehensive Development Framework 131
4.5.4 Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy 132
4.5.5 Millennium City Initiative 133
4.5.6 Savannah Accelerated Development Programme 135
4.5.7 National urban policy 135
4.6 Conclusion 137

CHAPTER FIVE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 140
5.1 Introduction 140
5.2 Research aim and objectives 140
5.2.1 Propositions 142
5.3 Research philosophical background of the study 142
5.4 Case study strategy and the study area 144
5.4.1 Study area 146
5.4.2 Case selection 149
5.4.3 Target/study population 151
5.4.4 Sampling technique and sample size 152
5.4.5 Data sources and research instruments 155
5.5 Ethical considerations 158
5.6 Fieldwork experience and challenges 159
5.6.1 Data collection 160
5.6.2 Challenges from the field 161
5.7 Analytical framework 162
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