Transportation System as a Climate Mitigation Strategy for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (Gama)

Abstract

In many cities across the globe, transportation has been a major catalyst for economic growth and for the progress of human societies. However, as an activity that is largely dependent on the combustion of fossil fuels, on-road urban transportation has fast become one of the most important sources of anthropogenic-induced Greenhouse gases (GHGs) which are known to contribute to climate change. The causes and effects as well as adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change have received global attention from policy and non-policy actors, including the scientific and academic community. Three broad climate mitigation strategies –efficiency in vehicle technologies, use of alternative fuel sources and travel reduction through land use and transport integration –have been proposed for the transport sector. Climate mitigation policy for the transport sector in Ghana has generally favoured the first two strategies. Thus, notwithstanding the burgeoning scientific evidence that has shown that developing countries have greater opportunities to significantly mitigate climate change through an integrated land use and transport system, the third strategy has not received the needed academic and policy attention. In the context of urban sprawl and long commuting distances between residential areas and locations of activity points in some major Ghanaian cities, this present study explores the ramifications of present land use and transportation systems on energy use and climate mitigation, using the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) as a case study. Inspired by the philosophical worldview of pragmatism, the study adopted a complementary mixed methods design involving quantitative surveys of trip makers and qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders, including public transport suppliers, government officials and social scientists, together with participant observations. Secondary data sources, including policy documents and existing literature were also used in the study. The Systems conceptual framework of land use and transport system was developed as an interpretative guide in analysing the symbiotic relationship between spatial and transportation

patterns and the extent to which this relationship has impacted on energy use and GHG emissions in GAMA. While GAMA continues to sprawl, the functional interactions between Accra Central and its peri-urban localities with respect to work, shop and accessing government services trip patterns are characterised by extensive use of low occupancy motorised transport modes over long commuting distances. This has adverse implications for per capita energy use and GHG emissions. In contrast, relative short distance trips to nearby activity points are accompanied by a significant use of non-motorised transport modes by trip makers with its associated reduction in fossil energy use and subsequent emissions. Long distance trip makers surveyed expressed high preference for mass transit, with its climate mitigation co-benefits. In the light of the above, it is recommended that in order to promote climate mitigation, there is the need for planners and city authorities to re-organise GAMA’s spatial patterns through the densification of land use in and around Accra Central to properly integrate land use and transportation systems. Alternatively, the virtual monopoly of Accra Central with respect to the concentration of activity points must be addressed through effective decentralisation policies. Also, non-motorised transport modes use must be encouraged particularly for short distance trips while mass transit must be prioritized for long distance trips.