Flooding is a nightmare in many parts of the world, with the poor and vulnerable usually the wors... more Flooding is a nightmare in many parts of the world, with the poor and vulnerable usually the worst affected. Extensive flood risks are a significant concern in many countries, including Ghana, where localised annual flooding is common in urban areas. There is concern that climate change will increase the intensity of precipitation, with resultant flooding affecting vulnerable populations, especially those in informal settlements in developing countries. Households in the informal settlements have habitually adopted coping measures to deal with the existing flood risks. Coping measures are reactive, short-term measures, and are unable to ensure resilience. Although coping measures are a critical part of building flood resilience, adaptation measures ensure proactive and long-term adjustments to existing and future flooding risk that increases resilience. Nevertheless, adaptation measures that can build the resilience of households are not adopted currently in Ghana, and this is placing lives at risk. Only a few empirical studies have focused on the flood risk adaptation intentions of informal settlements in the Ghanaian context. This research, therefore, investigates the informal settlements’ flood risk adaptation intentions, with a view to understanding how flood experience, fear, coping experience and cognitive appraisals affect those intentions. The conceptual position of this research is underpinned by the protection motivation theory (PMT). The application of PMT to the study of the flood risk adaptation intentions of households in informal settlements is novel. Therefore, a new conceptual model was developed, based on PMT, to examine how flood experience, fear, coping experience and cognitive appraisals influence flood risk adaptation intention. The study employed a convergent mixed methods design, comprising a concurrent quantitative and qualitative data collection approach. The research focused on Glefe, an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana, as a case study. The quantitative data was collected using a household survey, resulting in 392 responses. The qualitative data was collected from interviews with nineteen key informants, comprising seventeen community members and two National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials. The quantitative data was then analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis with the support of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and WarpPLS, while the qualitative data was analysed with thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo. The quantitative results showed that there exist statistically significant relationships between the aforementioned independent variables and flood risk adaptation intentions. With few exceptions, the hypothesised relationships in the conceptual model were generally supported by the results. The adaptation appraisal had a substantial positive influence on adaptation intention, explaining 68% of the variance. The qualitative findings also showed that the residents were fearful and anxious about current and future flooding risks. The households in the informal settlement also perceived that adaptation actions could be effective in reducing flooding risks and impacts. The qualitative results concurred with the quantitative results, underlining that household experiences and appraisals are vital in households’ flood risk adaptation intentions. The results revealed that there was a general willingness and intention to undertake adaptation measures against flooding. Crucially, the results indicated that flood experience and coping experience positively influenced the flood risk adaptation intentions of households in the informal settlement. The research results also found that informal settlement households place a greater emphasis on the response efficacy of adaptation measures than the cost or their self-efficacy. The findings of the research have, therefore, underscored the relevance of household experiences and appraisals to flood risk adaptation intentions in informal settlements, which may be crucial to aid transition, beyond coping, to adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and devel... more In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and development does not work as it should. This study sought to explore how urban planners and local chiefs collaborate to ensure sustainable urban land use planning processes in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with town planners, local chiefs, and residents. The results reveal that participation has not been successfully implemented as the local chiefs and residents feel left out in crucial planning processes and decisions. This situation implies that the local expertise of non-professionals that could help to develop urban plans with broad appeal is not utilized. Planners need to be agile to accommodate modern ways of engaging communities to effect sustainable and inclusive land use planning. INTRODUCTION Participation is a very important component of land use planning decisions (Nabatchi & Leighninger, 2015). It allows citizens and stakeholders to identify with and support the implementation of decisions and regulations that they help to formulate (Drazkiewicz et al., 2015). This explains the prominent place accorded citizen participation in planning guidelines in Ghana. The guidelines state that a participatory planning approach would be utilized to prepare all levels of land use plans. It was propounded that the plan preparation process will provide opportunities for key stakeholders to air their views and opinions. Participation,
In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and devel... more In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and development does not work as it should. This study sought to explore how urban planners and local chiefs collaborate to ensure sustainable urban land use planning processes in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with town planners, local chiefs, and residents. The results reveal that participation has not been successfully implemented as the local chiefs and residents feel left out in crucial planning processes and decisions. This situation implies that the local expertise of non-professionals that could help to develop urban plans with broad appeal is not utilized. Planners need to be agile to accommodate modern ways of engaging communities to effect sustainable and inclusive land use planning. INTRODUCTION Participation is a very important component of land use planning decisions (Nabatchi & Leighninger, 2015). It allows citizens and stakeholders to identify with and support the implementation of decisions and regulations that they help to formulate (Drazkiewicz et al., 2015). This explains the prominent place accorded citizen participation in planning guidelines in Ghana. The guidelines state that a participatory planning approach would be utilized to prepare all levels of land use plans. It was propounded that the plan preparation process will provide opportunities for key stakeholders to air their views and opinions. Participation,
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technol... more A Thesis submitted to the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Planning, 2015
Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents th... more Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents that a proposed development meets land use regulations. Thus, issuance of building permits goes a long way to promote effective development control in settlements. However, the practice of vetting and approving every development has not been wholly successful in Ghana. This situation has led to haphazard developments in the major urban centres of the country. This study was therefore conducted to investigate how building permits can be used as effective measures for controlling physical development. The evidence shows a disjoint between laid down procedures for development control and actual practice. The results further show that delays in approval and issuance of permits has been a major bottleneck of compliance to building regulations. The paper recommends that efforts should be made to streamline processes for evaluation and issuance of permits. Key Words : Building permits, Developmen...
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 2021
Conventional lecture-based educational approaches alone might not be able to portray the complexi... more Conventional lecture-based educational approaches alone might not be able to portray the complexity of disaster risk management practice, and its real-life dynamics. One work integrated learning (WIL) practice that can give students practical work-related experiences is simulation-based learning. However, there is a limited discourse on simulation-based learning in disaster risk management education at the tertiary level. As tertiary education plays a crucial role in developing capabilities within the workforce, simulation-based learning can evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion. This paper aims to present outcomes of simulation-based learning sessions the authors designed and delivered in a disaster risk management course. The authors developed a framework to illustrate simulation-based learning in a disaster risk management program. It was then used as a guide to design and execute simulation-based learning sessions. An autoethnographic methodology was then applied to reflectively narrate our experiences and feelings during the design and execution of the simulations. The evaluation of the simulation sessions showed that participants were able to apply their knowledge and demonstrate the skills required to make critical decisions in disaster risk reduction. Our conclusion from the simulation-based learning sessions is that making simulation-based learning a part of the pedagogy of disaster risk management education enables students to gain practical experience, deliberate ethical tensions and practical dilemmas, and develop ability to work with multiple perspectives. Our simulated workplace experience allowed students to experience decision-making as disaster risk management professionals, allowing them to integrate theory with practice.
Sand is an essential resource that is needed to support housing development. This is particularly... more Sand is an essential resource that is needed to support housing development. This is particularly important in many countries where the reduction of housing deficit is crucial. The construction industry now uses about $130 billion worth of sand a year. This notwithstanding, if the sand mining activity is not regulated, there could be great ramifications on the natural and built environment in the future. Studies have shown that sand mining is occurring at unprecedented rates. Yet much attention has not been given to it in the policy and academic circles. This paper seeks to overview the knowledge on the impacts of sand mining on the built and natural environment, with special focus on Ghana. Data was obtained through a literature review of academic journals, news media and blogs. The results revealed that sand mining is taking place in environmentally unfriendly and unsustainable manner. That has resulted in the destruction of forest ecosystems and pollution of water bodies.
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment , 2020
Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. ... more Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in Ghana, current flood risk management practice is fostered by a reactive culture. There is limited research on how communities and government agencies are engaging with flood risk adaptation in improving resilience. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the culture of communities and agencies through the cultural theory of risk (CTR), towards understanding the flood risk adaptation in Accra, Ghana. Culture is deciphered using the beliefs held by residents and public agency officials. A qualitative methodology, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm, was adopted to understand factors that influence flood risk adaptation in informal settlements. Data was gathered using household and institutional interviews in Glefe, Accra, Ghana. The results show that both disaster risk management institutions and community members are deeply concerned about current and future flood risk. However, their cultural beliefs concerning flood risk and adaptation are contradictory, broadly framed by fatalist, individualist, and hierarchist beliefs. The contradictory emergent beliefs contribute to a clash of expectations and create uncertainty about how to respond to flood risk, impacting on the implementation of required adaptation measures. Developing a collaborative flood risk management framework and a shared understanding of adaptation approaches may be a better alternative. This paper advances understanding of how culture influences flood risk adaptation in developing country context.
Using a pragmatic philosophical underpinning, this article analyses how land use planning actions... more Using a pragmatic philosophical underpinning, this article analyses how land use planning actions and inactions contribute to flood risk creation in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. In recent times, the planning system in Ghana has come under intense public criticism for failure to effectively control physical development in the major cities. The recurring flooding in the cities of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi seems to testify to this failure. Many lives and property have been lost through these flooding events in the country. This article argues from a disaster risk reduction point of view that the ineffectiveness in elementary processes of land use planning, such as delays in permit approval, inadequate monitoring and inspections, and lax enforcement of regulations, potentially creates flood risk. The rational of this study is therefore to bring to light the land use planning actions and inactions that create flood risk in Sekondi-Takoradi exposing urban dwellers to flooding. Because of the article’s pragmatic underpinning, a mixed-methods case study approach was adopted for this investigation. Both survey and interview data were collected from homeowners and planning institutions in Sekondi-Takoradi to ascertain how land use control practices seem to be contributing to flood risk in the municipality. The analyses comprised simple statistical analysis of the survey data in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic analyses of the interview data. The findings reveal that institutional incapacities have resulted in delays in permit approvals, non-compliance with permit regulations, uncontrolled conversion of vegetated land, lax monitoring and inspections of physical developments and poor enforcement. These institutional challenges have emboldened prospective land developers and homeowners to flout building and land use regulations. This has led to the building of residential properties in swamps, waterways and other flood-prone locations, creating flood risk.
Ghana has a serious flood problem. Over about 50 years, 4 million people have been affected by fl... more Ghana has a serious flood problem. Over about 50 years, 4 million people have been affected by floods, resulting in economic damage exceeding USD$780 million. At least one major flood disaster has occurred every year over the past 10 years. Much needs to be done about the risk. Ghana must fully transition from coping strategies, to proactive, long-term measures
In this article, we shed light on the broader dynamics of urban housing, and the rental regime th... more In this article, we shed light on the broader dynamics of urban housing, and the rental regime that has pushed many people into the informal settlements. We argue that slums are more than just marginalised spaces of abject poverty and neglect.
Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents th... more Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents that a proposed development meets land use regulations. Thus, issuance of building permits goes a long way to promote effective development control in settlements. However, the practice of vetting and approving every development has not been wholly successful in Ghana. This situation has led to haphazard developments in the major urban centres of the country. This study was therefore conducted to investigate how building permits can be used as effective measures for controlling physical development. The evidence shows a disjoint between laid down procedures for development control and actual practice. The results further show that delays in approval and issuance of permits has been a major bottleneck of compliance to building regulations. The paper recommends that efforts should be made to streamline processes for evaluation and issuance of permits.
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has become the centre of attention in recent times due to the pro... more The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has become the centre of attention in recent times due to the production of oil in commercial quantities beginning in 2007 in the Western Region of Ghana. The result has been an increase in population and land use activities in the metropolis. The question of how these increasing land use activities would be effectively controlled is a matter of concern. This study therefore sought to obtain valuable insights into the development control processes in the metropolis so that useful recommendations can be proffered in order to effectively control the increasing physical development activities. The study adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach. The primary data used for the analyses were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The unit of analysis for the questionnaires was landlords while heads of institutions were selected for the interviews. The results suggest that the urban land has expanded tremendously. The residential land has increased from 52% in 2008 to 55% in 2014. The farmlands on the other hand have decreased from 30% in 2008 to 24% in 2014. To effectively handle the resultant increase in physical development activities, the Physical Planning Department has prepared various land use plans to control physical development. The results further show that 75% of respondents acquired development/building permits before the development of physical structures. However, the acquisition of occupancy and extension permits has been poor. The results again show that public participation in Physical Planning decisions has been limited to information giving at best. The collaboration among the various land use institutions has nevertheless been encouraging. Furthermore, the results revealed that the mainstream development control institutions (the Physical Planning Department and the Building Inspectorate Unit) are constrained in terms of staff and logistics and funds. In view of these findings, major recommendations include the need for effective community participation in the preparation of development plans, intensive public sensitisation on development permit requirements and conditions, and increase in funding to the development control institutions. It is hoped that effective implementation of the recommendations will adequately position the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to effectively control physical development in the face of the oil induced growth.
This work is dedicated to my parents, Mr. Tasantab Bonjei and Mrs. Bulatob Tasantab (late), who s... more This work is dedicated to my parents, Mr. Tasantab Bonjei and Mrs. Bulatob Tasantab (late), who sacrificed their comfort to see me through my education. The work is also dedicated to my siblings whose plight has spurred me on this academic path.
Flooding is a nightmare in many parts of the world, with the poor and vulnerable usually the wors... more Flooding is a nightmare in many parts of the world, with the poor and vulnerable usually the worst affected. Extensive flood risks are a significant concern in many countries, including Ghana, where localised annual flooding is common in urban areas. There is concern that climate change will increase the intensity of precipitation, with resultant flooding affecting vulnerable populations, especially those in informal settlements in developing countries. Households in the informal settlements have habitually adopted coping measures to deal with the existing flood risks. Coping measures are reactive, short-term measures, and are unable to ensure resilience. Although coping measures are a critical part of building flood resilience, adaptation measures ensure proactive and long-term adjustments to existing and future flooding risk that increases resilience. Nevertheless, adaptation measures that can build the resilience of households are not adopted currently in Ghana, and this is placing lives at risk. Only a few empirical studies have focused on the flood risk adaptation intentions of informal settlements in the Ghanaian context. This research, therefore, investigates the informal settlements’ flood risk adaptation intentions, with a view to understanding how flood experience, fear, coping experience and cognitive appraisals affect those intentions. The conceptual position of this research is underpinned by the protection motivation theory (PMT). The application of PMT to the study of the flood risk adaptation intentions of households in informal settlements is novel. Therefore, a new conceptual model was developed, based on PMT, to examine how flood experience, fear, coping experience and cognitive appraisals influence flood risk adaptation intention. The study employed a convergent mixed methods design, comprising a concurrent quantitative and qualitative data collection approach. The research focused on Glefe, an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana, as a case study. The quantitative data was collected using a household survey, resulting in 392 responses. The qualitative data was collected from interviews with nineteen key informants, comprising seventeen community members and two National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials. The quantitative data was then analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis with the support of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and WarpPLS, while the qualitative data was analysed with thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo. The quantitative results showed that there exist statistically significant relationships between the aforementioned independent variables and flood risk adaptation intentions. With few exceptions, the hypothesised relationships in the conceptual model were generally supported by the results. The adaptation appraisal had a substantial positive influence on adaptation intention, explaining 68% of the variance. The qualitative findings also showed that the residents were fearful and anxious about current and future flooding risks. The households in the informal settlement also perceived that adaptation actions could be effective in reducing flooding risks and impacts. The qualitative results concurred with the quantitative results, underlining that household experiences and appraisals are vital in households’ flood risk adaptation intentions. The results revealed that there was a general willingness and intention to undertake adaptation measures against flooding. Crucially, the results indicated that flood experience and coping experience positively influenced the flood risk adaptation intentions of households in the informal settlement. The research results also found that informal settlement households place a greater emphasis on the response efficacy of adaptation measures than the cost or their self-efficacy. The findings of the research have, therefore, underscored the relevance of household experiences and appraisals to flood risk adaptation intentions in informal settlements, which may be crucial to aid transition, beyond coping, to adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and devel... more In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and development does not work as it should. This study sought to explore how urban planners and local chiefs collaborate to ensure sustainable urban land use planning processes in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with town planners, local chiefs, and residents. The results reveal that participation has not been successfully implemented as the local chiefs and residents feel left out in crucial planning processes and decisions. This situation implies that the local expertise of non-professionals that could help to develop urban plans with broad appeal is not utilized. Planners need to be agile to accommodate modern ways of engaging communities to effect sustainable and inclusive land use planning. INTRODUCTION Participation is a very important component of land use planning decisions (Nabatchi & Leighninger, 2015). It allows citizens and stakeholders to identify with and support the implementation of decisions and regulations that they help to formulate (Drazkiewicz et al., 2015). This explains the prominent place accorded citizen participation in planning guidelines in Ghana. The guidelines state that a participatory planning approach would be utilized to prepare all levels of land use plans. It was propounded that the plan preparation process will provide opportunities for key stakeholders to air their views and opinions. Participation,
In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and devel... more In Ghana, studies have shown that public participation in various aspects of governance and development does not work as it should. This study sought to explore how urban planners and local chiefs collaborate to ensure sustainable urban land use planning processes in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. Data was collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with town planners, local chiefs, and residents. The results reveal that participation has not been successfully implemented as the local chiefs and residents feel left out in crucial planning processes and decisions. This situation implies that the local expertise of non-professionals that could help to develop urban plans with broad appeal is not utilized. Planners need to be agile to accommodate modern ways of engaging communities to effect sustainable and inclusive land use planning. INTRODUCTION Participation is a very important component of land use planning decisions (Nabatchi & Leighninger, 2015). It allows citizens and stakeholders to identify with and support the implementation of decisions and regulations that they help to formulate (Drazkiewicz et al., 2015). This explains the prominent place accorded citizen participation in planning guidelines in Ghana. The guidelines state that a participatory planning approach would be utilized to prepare all levels of land use plans. It was propounded that the plan preparation process will provide opportunities for key stakeholders to air their views and opinions. Participation,
A Thesis submitted to the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technol... more A Thesis submitted to the Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Planning, 2015
Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents th... more Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents that a proposed development meets land use regulations. Thus, issuance of building permits goes a long way to promote effective development control in settlements. However, the practice of vetting and approving every development has not been wholly successful in Ghana. This situation has led to haphazard developments in the major urban centres of the country. This study was therefore conducted to investigate how building permits can be used as effective measures for controlling physical development. The evidence shows a disjoint between laid down procedures for development control and actual practice. The results further show that delays in approval and issuance of permits has been a major bottleneck of compliance to building regulations. The paper recommends that efforts should be made to streamline processes for evaluation and issuance of permits. Key Words : Building permits, Developmen...
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 2021
Conventional lecture-based educational approaches alone might not be able to portray the complexi... more Conventional lecture-based educational approaches alone might not be able to portray the complexity of disaster risk management practice, and its real-life dynamics. One work integrated learning (WIL) practice that can give students practical work-related experiences is simulation-based learning. However, there is a limited discourse on simulation-based learning in disaster risk management education at the tertiary level. As tertiary education plays a crucial role in developing capabilities within the workforce, simulation-based learning can evoke or replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion. This paper aims to present outcomes of simulation-based learning sessions the authors designed and delivered in a disaster risk management course. The authors developed a framework to illustrate simulation-based learning in a disaster risk management program. It was then used as a guide to design and execute simulation-based learning sessions. An autoethnographic methodology was then applied to reflectively narrate our experiences and feelings during the design and execution of the simulations. The evaluation of the simulation sessions showed that participants were able to apply their knowledge and demonstrate the skills required to make critical decisions in disaster risk reduction. Our conclusion from the simulation-based learning sessions is that making simulation-based learning a part of the pedagogy of disaster risk management education enables students to gain practical experience, deliberate ethical tensions and practical dilemmas, and develop ability to work with multiple perspectives. Our simulated workplace experience allowed students to experience decision-making as disaster risk management professionals, allowing them to integrate theory with practice.
Sand is an essential resource that is needed to support housing development. This is particularly... more Sand is an essential resource that is needed to support housing development. This is particularly important in many countries where the reduction of housing deficit is crucial. The construction industry now uses about $130 billion worth of sand a year. This notwithstanding, if the sand mining activity is not regulated, there could be great ramifications on the natural and built environment in the future. Studies have shown that sand mining is occurring at unprecedented rates. Yet much attention has not been given to it in the policy and academic circles. This paper seeks to overview the knowledge on the impacts of sand mining on the built and natural environment, with special focus on Ghana. Data was obtained through a literature review of academic journals, news media and blogs. The results revealed that sand mining is taking place in environmentally unfriendly and unsustainable manner. That has resulted in the destruction of forest ecosystems and pollution of water bodies.
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment , 2020
Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. ... more Climate change is predicted to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to flood hazards. Against this backdrop, flood risk adaptation has become pertinent. However, in Ghana, current flood risk management practice is fostered by a reactive culture. There is limited research on how communities and government agencies are engaging with flood risk adaptation in improving resilience. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the culture of communities and agencies through the cultural theory of risk (CTR), towards understanding the flood risk adaptation in Accra, Ghana. Culture is deciphered using the beliefs held by residents and public agency officials. A qualitative methodology, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm, was adopted to understand factors that influence flood risk adaptation in informal settlements. Data was gathered using household and institutional interviews in Glefe, Accra, Ghana. The results show that both disaster risk management institutions and community members are deeply concerned about current and future flood risk. However, their cultural beliefs concerning flood risk and adaptation are contradictory, broadly framed by fatalist, individualist, and hierarchist beliefs. The contradictory emergent beliefs contribute to a clash of expectations and create uncertainty about how to respond to flood risk, impacting on the implementation of required adaptation measures. Developing a collaborative flood risk management framework and a shared understanding of adaptation approaches may be a better alternative. This paper advances understanding of how culture influences flood risk adaptation in developing country context.
Using a pragmatic philosophical underpinning, this article analyses how land use planning actions... more Using a pragmatic philosophical underpinning, this article analyses how land use planning actions and inactions contribute to flood risk creation in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. In recent times, the planning system in Ghana has come under intense public criticism for failure to effectively control physical development in the major cities. The recurring flooding in the cities of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi seems to testify to this failure. Many lives and property have been lost through these flooding events in the country. This article argues from a disaster risk reduction point of view that the ineffectiveness in elementary processes of land use planning, such as delays in permit approval, inadequate monitoring and inspections, and lax enforcement of regulations, potentially creates flood risk. The rational of this study is therefore to bring to light the land use planning actions and inactions that create flood risk in Sekondi-Takoradi exposing urban dwellers to flooding. Because of the article’s pragmatic underpinning, a mixed-methods case study approach was adopted for this investigation. Both survey and interview data were collected from homeowners and planning institutions in Sekondi-Takoradi to ascertain how land use control practices seem to be contributing to flood risk in the municipality. The analyses comprised simple statistical analysis of the survey data in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic analyses of the interview data. The findings reveal that institutional incapacities have resulted in delays in permit approvals, non-compliance with permit regulations, uncontrolled conversion of vegetated land, lax monitoring and inspections of physical developments and poor enforcement. These institutional challenges have emboldened prospective land developers and homeowners to flout building and land use regulations. This has led to the building of residential properties in swamps, waterways and other flood-prone locations, creating flood risk.
Ghana has a serious flood problem. Over about 50 years, 4 million people have been affected by fl... more Ghana has a serious flood problem. Over about 50 years, 4 million people have been affected by floods, resulting in economic damage exceeding USD$780 million. At least one major flood disaster has occurred every year over the past 10 years. Much needs to be done about the risk. Ghana must fully transition from coping strategies, to proactive, long-term measures
In this article, we shed light on the broader dynamics of urban housing, and the rental regime th... more In this article, we shed light on the broader dynamics of urban housing, and the rental regime that has pushed many people into the informal settlements. We argue that slums are more than just marginalised spaces of abject poverty and neglect.
Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents th... more Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents that a proposed development meets land use regulations. Thus, issuance of building permits goes a long way to promote effective development control in settlements. However, the practice of vetting and approving every development has not been wholly successful in Ghana. This situation has led to haphazard developments in the major urban centres of the country. This study was therefore conducted to investigate how building permits can be used as effective measures for controlling physical development. The evidence shows a disjoint between laid down procedures for development control and actual practice. The results further show that delays in approval and issuance of permits has been a major bottleneck of compliance to building regulations. The paper recommends that efforts should be made to streamline processes for evaluation and issuance of permits.
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has become the centre of attention in recent times due to the pro... more The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has become the centre of attention in recent times due to the production of oil in commercial quantities beginning in 2007 in the Western Region of Ghana. The result has been an increase in population and land use activities in the metropolis. The question of how these increasing land use activities would be effectively controlled is a matter of concern. This study therefore sought to obtain valuable insights into the development control processes in the metropolis so that useful recommendations can be proffered in order to effectively control the increasing physical development activities. The study adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach. The primary data used for the analyses were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The unit of analysis for the questionnaires was landlords while heads of institutions were selected for the interviews. The results suggest that the urban land has expanded tremendously. The residential land has increased from 52% in 2008 to 55% in 2014. The farmlands on the other hand have decreased from 30% in 2008 to 24% in 2014. To effectively handle the resultant increase in physical development activities, the Physical Planning Department has prepared various land use plans to control physical development. The results further show that 75% of respondents acquired development/building permits before the development of physical structures. However, the acquisition of occupancy and extension permits has been poor. The results again show that public participation in Physical Planning decisions has been limited to information giving at best. The collaboration among the various land use institutions has nevertheless been encouraging. Furthermore, the results revealed that the mainstream development control institutions (the Physical Planning Department and the Building Inspectorate Unit) are constrained in terms of staff and logistics and funds. In view of these findings, major recommendations include the need for effective community participation in the preparation of development plans, intensive public sensitisation on development permit requirements and conditions, and increase in funding to the development control institutions. It is hoped that effective implementation of the recommendations will adequately position the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to effectively control physical development in the face of the oil induced growth.
This work is dedicated to my parents, Mr. Tasantab Bonjei and Mrs. Bulatob Tasantab (late), who s... more This work is dedicated to my parents, Mr. Tasantab Bonjei and Mrs. Bulatob Tasantab (late), who sacrificed their comfort to see me through my education. The work is also dedicated to my siblings whose plight has spurred me on this academic path.
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Papers by Chati Tasantab
Much needs to be done about the risk. Ghana must fully transition from coping strategies, to proactive, long-term measures
The study adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach. The primary data used for the analyses were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The unit of analysis for the questionnaires was landlords while heads of institutions were selected for the interviews.
The results suggest that the urban land has expanded tremendously. The residential land has increased from 52% in 2008 to 55% in 2014. The farmlands on the other hand have decreased from 30% in 2008 to 24% in 2014. To effectively handle the resultant increase in physical development activities, the Physical Planning Department has prepared various land use plans to control physical development. The results further show that 75% of respondents acquired development/building permits before the development of physical structures. However, the acquisition of occupancy and extension permits has been poor. The results again show that public participation in Physical Planning decisions has been limited to information giving at best. The collaboration among the various land use institutions has nevertheless been encouraging. Furthermore, the results revealed that the mainstream development control institutions (the Physical Planning Department and the Building Inspectorate Unit) are constrained in terms of staff and logistics and funds.
In view of these findings, major recommendations include the need for effective community participation in the preparation of development plans, intensive public sensitisation on development permit requirements and conditions, and increase in funding to the development control institutions.
It is hoped that effective implementation of the recommendations will adequately position the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to effectively control physical development in the face of the oil induced growth.
Much needs to be done about the risk. Ghana must fully transition from coping strategies, to proactive, long-term measures
The study adopted a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approach. The primary data used for the analyses were obtained through questionnaires, interviews and field observations. The unit of analysis for the questionnaires was landlords while heads of institutions were selected for the interviews.
The results suggest that the urban land has expanded tremendously. The residential land has increased from 52% in 2008 to 55% in 2014. The farmlands on the other hand have decreased from 30% in 2008 to 24% in 2014. To effectively handle the resultant increase in physical development activities, the Physical Planning Department has prepared various land use plans to control physical development. The results further show that 75% of respondents acquired development/building permits before the development of physical structures. However, the acquisition of occupancy and extension permits has been poor. The results again show that public participation in Physical Planning decisions has been limited to information giving at best. The collaboration among the various land use institutions has nevertheless been encouraging. Furthermore, the results revealed that the mainstream development control institutions (the Physical Planning Department and the Building Inspectorate Unit) are constrained in terms of staff and logistics and funds.
In view of these findings, major recommendations include the need for effective community participation in the preparation of development plans, intensive public sensitisation on development permit requirements and conditions, and increase in funding to the development control institutions.
It is hoped that effective implementation of the recommendations will adequately position the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to effectively control physical development in the face of the oil induced growth.