REStrUctURING THE RESETTLED LANDSCAPE GUIDING INFORMAL ACTIVITIES AND SETTLEMENT IN THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE OF THE VOLTA LAKE, GHANA. REStrUctURING THERESETTLED LANDSCAPE GUIDING INFORMAL ACTIVITIES AND SETTLEMENT IN THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE OF THE VOLTA LAKE, GHANA Major Thesis Landscape Architecture Wageningen, November 2009 Wageningen University and Research Centre Master Landscape Architecture & Spatial Planning Major Thesis Landscape Architecture [LAR-80430] Authors: Supervisor & examiner: M.A. [Miranda] Schut Dr. Ir. I. [Ingrid] Duchhart [WUR] signature date signature date E.A. [Ilse] Verwer Dr. Ir. K. [Kelly] Shannon [KUL] signature date signature date Ir. V. [Viviana] d’Auria [KUL] signature date In collaboration with Examiner Ph.D. Professor J. [Jusuck] Koh [WUR] signature date Supported by EFL STICHTING The artificial Volta Lake in Ghana is one of many tivities and settlement. This incentive planning ap- artificial lakes in Sub-Sahara Africa, but distinc- proach uses limited financial resources and mini- tive because of its size [85.000 km2] and age [the mal land ownership. The positioning of social facili- Akosombo Dam was finished in 1964]. In the ripar- ties provides the basic structure in this open-ended STRACT ian landscape around the Volta Lake, informal ac- development. The design integrates several solu- B A tivities and settlement is occurring on a large scale, tions tackling problems concerning problematic despite planning precautions. The lake and the access, erratic and unreliable power supply, access 0.I riparian landscape offer a relatively large abun- to basic services like clean drinking water, environ- dance of natural resources, providing the potential mental sanitation and health care and living con- for settlers to conduct multiple livelihood activities ditions and outdoor space. The provision of basic to sustain their living. However, the landscape is needs will trigger concentrated development of vulnerable, and the growing pressure is causing settlement and private initiatives along the network, environmental degradation. In addition, sedimen- relieving the pressure from the most vulnerable tation threatens the hydro-electric power genera- part of the landscape, towards safe locations with a tion. minimal risk of flooding. The uniform government policy appears to be an in- Food insecurity is reduced by improving water adequate planning approach. In this thesis, the pos- retention in the landscape, making it possible to sibilities of a integrated landscape based strategy increase agricultural production as long as the are researched. The aim is to balance informal set- environmental system is protected from erosion, tlement and lakeside dwellers’ livelihood strategies depletion and pollution. with the protection of the environment to diminish sedimentation and degradation. In the design, the riparian landscape is structured using a road system, creating a framework. At stra- KEYWORDS tegic sites the link of infrastructural facilities to the Landscape architecture, landscape, Incentive road plays a central role in guiding the informal ac planning, dam, resevoir, Ghana, Volta Lake 0. II taBLE OF CONTENTS 0.I ABSTRACT 5 5. SITE ANALYSIS: EXPLORING THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE 56 0.II TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 5.1 The productive landscape 58 5.2 The accessible landscape 80 1. INTRODUCTION: 5.3 Waste and sanitation 96 FROM RIVER TO RESEVOIR 5.4 Climate change 100 impact OF A DAM ON THE LANDSCAPE 8 5.5 Conclusion 106 1.1 Dams in Sub-Sahara Africa: The case of Ghana 10 5.6 Extended theoretical framework 108 1.2 Changes: disturbed landscape. 14 6. REFERENCE STUDIES: 2. METHODOLOGY: APPLIED SPATIAL SOLUTIONS 112 UNRAVELING THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE 16 6.1 Transport & Electricity 114 2.1 Goal + target group 18 6.2 Drinking water collection 116 2.2 Design approach 18 6.3 Waste water systems & Treatment 118 2.3 Methodology 18 6.4 Waste Collection 122 2.4 Theoretical starting notions 24 6.5 Irrigation & Water retention systems 124 6.6 Agricultural systems 127 3. DEFENITION: GRASPING THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE PROCESSES: 7. DESIGN: PROBLEM CONTEXT 26 INTERVENTIONS IN THE RIPARIAN LANDSCAPE 130 3.1 The Volta River Project [VRP] 28 7.1 Regional Strategy 132 3.2 Volta River Authority [VRA] 32 7.2 Landscape Strategy 135 3.3 Migration processes 34 7.3 Spatial Concept 138 3.4 Problem definition 38 7.4 Details 142 3.5 Hypothesis 39 7.5 Conclusion 169 4. EVOLUTION: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 170 GHANAIAN LANDSCAPE HISTORY 40 4.1 The early landscape, indigenous tribal society 42 REFERENCES 172 4.2 The trading landscape, increasing European influence 44 4.3 The exploited landscape, Colonial rule 46 4.4 The autonomous landscape, Post-colonial,modern independence 49 4.5 The divergent landscape, contemporary interpretation 52 FROM RIVER TO RESEVOIR _ IMPACT OF A DAM ON THE LANDSCAPE DAM ON A OF RESEVOIR _ IMPACT TO FROM RIVER 1 INTRODUCTION 8 1.1 Dams in Sub-Sahara Africa: The case of Ghana INTRODUCTION AfriArt Cards, Unknown. 1.2 Changes: disturbed landscape. 9 10 1.1 DAMS IN SUB-SAHARA AFRICA: THE CASE OF GHANA A In Sub-Saharan Africa, the rural communities are The Ghanaian Volta Lake is one of the first and part of a society which remains closely connected largest reservoirs in the history of Sub-Sahara AN to their natural base to provide in their livelihood. Africa, and until recently it also was the largest H The impact of the more than 1300 dams, spread reservoir in the world. G throughout this region of the world, is substantial. The Akosombo dam in Ghana can serve as a case The 31 largest dams directly affected over 300.000 study on the transformation of the landscape OF people through resettlement. More than 25.000 km2 surrounding a reservoir, in this case the Volta Lake. was inundated. A much large area is influenced by Since the dam was build in 1964, an assessment of human settlement as a result of the attractive pow- the impact and long-term development over a time CASE er of water. The insecurity of water availability has span of +40 years is possible. E become a pull factor in the new landscape around The Akosombo dam, completed in 1964 inundated TH the reservoir. 8500 km2 and forced over 80.000 people to move. : But the indirect impact of the lake was much larger; CA Lessons can be learned from dams which have the planners defined that the flooding had a total ‘... I R been constructed many decades ago; their impact impact area as covering 26.000 square miles or a F on the surrounding landscape has crystallized over little over a quarter of Ghana, containing, in 1960, A time. ‘There is a need for more ecological research 1.300.000 people or 19% of the country’s popula- on dams and reservoirs which have already seen tion’ [Chambers, 1970, p.43]. ARA many years of service. Mistakes and shortcomings H could be avoided, many of the recurring controver- At this moment even in Ghana a third dam is being SA sies relating to the ecological impacts of new dam built at the Bui Gorge to supply the country with projects could be prevented and the problems more energy. The surface area to be flooded is UB- involved could be clarified and solved more easily, estimated to be about 440 km2, including a large S if our latent store of long-term experience with the part of the Bui National Park. 2,600 people have N operation of so many dams and reservoirs were to to be resettled and the biotope of many protected I S be collected, processed, evaluated and published species in the area will be severely damaged. M […]’ [ICOLD, 2008]. Today the number of dams is still growing rapid- Research focused on the transformed riparian land- DA ly. Several countries are in an advanced stage of scape in a more holistic, multidisciplinary landscape planning. approach could result in a better understanding of the interactions between the lake, the settlers and the surrounding environment. 11 Senegal Ethiopia Kenya Diama dam Tis Abay I-II Dam Turkwel Dam 1986 1953-2001 1991 x people x people x people 310 km² x km² 66,1 km² Mali Ethiopia Kenya Manantali dam Tezeke Dam Kiambere Dam 1986-87 2009 1981 10.000 people x people 6.000 people 2550 km² x km² 25 km² Mali Ethiopia Kenya Selingue dam Koka Dam Gitaru Dam 1980 1960 1999 15.000 people x people x people 409 km² 0,236 km² x km² Côte d’Ivoir Togo Cameroon Kenya Taabo Nangbeto dam Song Loulou dam Masinga Dam 1979 1987 1980 1981 x people 10.600 people x people 6.000 people 69 km² 180 km² x km² 120 km² Côte d’Ivoir Burundi Dem.Rep. of Congo Burkina Faso Cameroon Kossou dam Mugere Dam Ruzizi Dam Bagro Dam Lagdo dam 1970 1982 1958 1995 1983 75.000 people x people 15.000 people x people x people 1740 km² x km² 0,015 km² x km² 697 km² Côte d’Ivoir Zimbabwe Mozambique Nigeria Cameroon Buyo Kariba Cabora Bassa Dam Kainji dam Edea dam 1980 1977 1974 1967 1953 x people x people 25.000 people 44.000 people x people 1898 km² x km² 2660 km² 1250 km² x km² Ghana Nigeria Congo South Africa Akosombo dam Tiga dam Inga Dam Gariep Dam 1964 1974 1972 & 1982 1971 80.000 people 12.000 people x people 1380 8502 km² 1463 km² x km² x km² Ghana Angola Lesotho South Africa Kpong dam Gove Dam Katse Dam Sterkfontein Dam 1982 1974 1997 1977 6.000 people x people x people x people x km² 1,78 km² 35,8 km² x km² Fig. 1.1a Dams are a common intervention in the landscape. An overview of the biggest of over 1300 dams in Sub-Sahara Africa is given.