Urbanisation in Ghana: Residential land use under siege in Kumasi central

- This study analyses the urbanisation impacts on commercialisation of residential land use in Kumasi central.
- It further highlights the impacts of residential land use makeover on urban functionality and the urban poor.
- Findings indicate that a majority (85%) of residential land use has been converted into commercial and mixed land uses.
- Urban functionality is hindered with chaotic scenes of uncontrolled commercial development.
- Most urban poor (86.7%) cannot afford higher rents, resulting in their eviction by property owners.

In this paper, an analysis of urbanisation in a Ghanaian city of Kumasi in relation to its impacts on commercialisation of residential land use is presented. The analysis further highlights the impacts of residential land use makeover on urban functionality and the urban poor. Using physical survey, interviews, agency consultations and review of secondary data, findings indicate that a majority (85%) of residential land use has been converted into commercial and mixed land uses due to increased demand and associated high land values as well as weak urban planning system. Regrettably, most urban poor (86.7%) cannot afford higher rents, resulting in their eviction by property owners and occupation in kiosks and on streets in Kumasi central creating urban blight. Additionally, urban functionality is hindered with chaotic scenes of uncontrolled commercial development and activities, and limited consideration for basic facilities such as parking. Planning implications of the findings are further presented.