TITLE:
Spatial Planning in Ghana: Antecedents and the Role of Local Artisans
AUTHORS:
Devine Hedidor, Francis Kwesi Bondinuba, Mohammed Abdulai Sadique
KEYWORDS:
Artisans, Ghana, Spatial Planning, Sustainability, Urbanism, Construction Industry
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research,
Vol.4 No.3,
September
19,
2016
ABSTRACT: This paper explored the antecedents and the role of local artisans in Spatial Planning
(SP) activities in Ghana. The paper was based on the results of an inspection of 5896
already built houses at Mepe in the Volta Region of Ghana. A mixed method research
approach was used to gather the data through snowball non-probability sampling
technique. It enabled the researchers to identify 100 local artisans. Survey questionnaires
were used, which was followed by structured interviews with five (5) elders
who lived in the town for over 65 years. The results showed that the early houses
were built on community lands with mud and thatch clustered with narrow and unnamed
alleys. Property owners heavily depended on local artisans for professional
guidance, although some artisans were ill-trained and unaware of existing government
SP regulations. The study was limited to artisans who practiced at the local
community level. The findings showed that many local artisans were poorly trained,
resulting in poor workmanship and non-compliance with local planning regulations.
The paper recommends the integration of SP into the artisanal curricula at both local
and national levels to improve their skills.