Analysis of Uncontrolled Urban Growth and Challenges in Ghana: A Case Study of Awutu Senya East Municipality.

Abstract

Uncontrolled urban growth has triggered monumental expansion of geospatial patterns and the transformation of demographic and socio-economic phenomena, outstripping the capacity of local authorities to plan and manage them. This study explored the causative factors stimulating the unprecedented urban growth in Ghana, and the challenges they pose. The study was premised on the framework of rapid urban growth triad which explicitly explains the components underpinning urban growth namely in-migration, urban natural population increase, and reclassification. Utilising a cross-sectional mixed method design, the study centred on thirteen (13) key informant interviews, and a survey of 385 residents sampled from seven communities in one of Ghana’s fastest growing districts, Awutu Senya East Municipality. The multiple nuclei theory was used to explain the dynamisms of the area’s growth and the Cochran’s Sample Size Formula was used to determine the sample size. Descriptive analytical tools including percentages, crosstabs, tables and charts were used to show frequency of distribution of variables, relationships and variability of data. The results showed that the municipal area has undergone rapid urban growth primarily driven by in-migration from across Ghana and outside. Migrants constitute 94% of the population, and six of Ghana’s regions with relatively low incidence of poverty contribute 70.9% of the migration. The study establishes a significant relationship between the municipality’s growth and its proximity to Accra. Among the most pressing urban growth challenges identified were noise, sanitation, air pollution and unemployment. Less than 50% of residents were aware of the climate change impacts of uncontrolled urban growth. Ultimately, the study recommends to government a multifaceted and evidenced-based approaches involving innovative urban management focusing on urban resilience and sustainability by building capacity of district assemblies technologically and financially, and rural development through job creation and infrastructural upgrade.