Causes and consequences of informal settlement planning in Ghana: A case study of Aboabo, a suburb of Kumasi metropolis

Abstract

Inadequate attention to urban land-use planning and practices could result in the proliferation of unauthorised structures which could destroy the health, beauty and convenience of cities. This thesis sought to investigate the causes and consequences of unauthorised structures at Aboabo, a suburb of Kumasi Metropolis. A total of 244 respondents comprising 119 house-owners, 119 household heads, and 6 key informants (the chief of Aboabo and five heads of Land Planning and Management Institutions in Kumasi) were selected for the study. Mixed method technique involving the use of interview schedule, in-depth interview, and observation were used to collect data from the field. Factor analysis technique was used to establish the causes that have led to the growth of unauthorised structures at Aboabo. The main findings of the study are that, the presence of many unauthorised structures at Aboabo is the result of socio-economic, cultural, institutional, physical, political and historical factors. House-owners at Aboabo have low level knowledge on building regulations of Ghana, and the perception of house-owners and household heads on land-use planning at Aboabo is negative. Flooding, poor sanitation conditions and over-crowding are the main problems that confront the dwellers of Aboabo due to the construction of unauthorised structures. It is recommended that there should be regular public education on building regulations of Ghana and the enforcement of land planning regulations by the Land Planning and Management Institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis.