The rise of a peri-urban giant from the shadows of an African metropolitan area: A spotlight on Kasoa, Ghana

Abstract

Existing research neither adequately situates peri‑urbanisation within the context of metropolisation nor presents a multi-dimensional analysis of the phenomenon in a single study. Also, morphological patterns and drivers of peri‑urbanisation are not adequately understood. This paper seeks to shed light on the rise of Kasoa, Ghana, as a consequence of its close proximity to the ever-expanding Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) by answering these questions: What is the impact of GAMA on the socio-demographic dynamics, local economy and livelihoods at Kasoa and its immediate environs? What are the morphological patterns, drivers and environmental impacts of Kasoa's growth? What are the sustainability implications and planning response to the growth of Kasoa and GAMA? The study relied on demographic data from census reports, land use/land cover analysis using Landsat data, and geospatial analysis of morphological patterns of growth using Google Earth images. These analyses were supplemented by other secondary data culled from previous studies. The study found that the growth of Accra has greatly transformed the size and composition of Kasoa's population and its local economy from agriculture-based to informal sector-based with no measures to support households that previously depended on agriculture to find alternative livelihoods. It is also revealed that Kasoa's physical growth has produced several negative environmental impacts, and that this growth has followed clear morphological patterns that are consistent with the spreading pancake, village magnet and ribbon development models. The study recommends that the Municipal Assembly liaises with other municipalities and the Central Regional administration to prepare regional and municipal spatial development frameworks to guide the formulation and implementation of structure and local plans. This should facilitate the coordination of local and regional efforts at managing urban growth in a holistic manner.