Sustainability and livability analysis of the city of Kumasi (Ghana): A geographical approach

Urban sustainability indicators are tools that allow city planners, city managers and policymakers to gauge the socio-economic and environmental impact of, current urban designs, infrastructures, policies, waste disposal systems, pollution and access to services by citizens. They allow for the diagnosis of problems and pressures, and thus the identification of areas that would profit from being addressed through good governance and science-based responses. They also allow cities to monitor the success and impact of sustainability interventions. A myriad of indicators have been advanced and tested in real cities by various organizations and research groups. These tools are available for implementation by others, and usually include aspects of sustainable development such as public health and services, governance, transport, income, employment, and transport. The challenge of rapid urbanization in cities is sustaining urban growth while solving the environmental and social equity problems arisıng from economic and physical concentration in order to make them livable. This study employs the use of sustainable city indicators in measuring the performance of Kumasi, an urbanised city in Ghana. Thus, assesses the extent to which city authorities and interested bodies are managing urbanization issues with regard to making the city sustainable and livable in a manner that is conducive to economic and social development. The study is unique of its kind as it gives the transformational stages Ghanaian cities have witnessed in their journey to urbanisation. A precise geographical background of Kumasi city and its place in the country is given. Some selected indicators of city sustainability were highlighted and used as the measures for Kumasi. Quite a number of improvements as well as set backs were identified with Kumasi on its path to sustainability, and the necessary recommendations have been suggested.