Barriers to Urban Greenspace Planning in the Kumasi Metropolis: Implications and Hints for Climate Change Interventions in Ghana’s Urban Areas A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Regional Development Planning in the School of Planning of the College of Design, Architecture, Arts, and Planning by Stephen Kofi Diko Master of Community Planning Bachelor of Science in Development Planning, Ghana July 2019 Committee: Danilo Palazzo, PhD (Chair) Leah Hollstein, PhD Xinhao Wang, PhD ABSTRACT Globally, climate change impacts threaten the sustainability of human and natural systems. Urban areas, and regions rapidly urbanizing such as Africa, will experience climate change impacts the most. Subsequently, there have been calls to increase capacities to tackle climate change impacts, with a view of promoting sustainability. One such call draws attention to a need for increasing the availability of urban greenspaces. To heed this call demands an understanding of the factors inhibiting effective urban greenspace planning and how they can be planned as climate change interventions (CCIs) to address climate change impacts. This research provides some insights. It was undertaken in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana, underpinned by three arguments: (1) Institutional barriers to urban greenspace planning contribute to a low emphasis on urban greenspaces in the Kumasi Metropolis; (2) The socio-cultural factors surrounding the use and demand for urban greenspaces in the Kumasi Metropolis place a low emphasis on urban greenspaces; and (3) The institutional and socio-cultural barriers to urban greenspace planning provide hints of the challenges of planning for CCIs in the Kumasi Metropolis. Findings reveal a low integration of climate change issues in urban development plans in the Metropolis. Consequently, urban greenspace strategies such as tree planting and provision of community parks outlined in urban development plans for the Metropolis have not been framed as CCIs. Although urban greenspace strategies can serve as CCIs in the Metropolis, they are constrained by institutional barriers such as a lack of innovation in visions for urban greenspaces, political interference, inadequate funding, and disharmony in land management. Also, socio-cultural barriers such as residents’ low priority for and dwindling use of, and poor maintenance of urban greenspaces limit residents’ demand for this amenity, its availability, and the planning of new ones, thereby serving as barriers to using urban greenspaces as CCIs in the Metropolis. Furthermore, i urban development professionals in the Metropolis and evidence from the broader literature suggest that residents are unaware of urban greenspace benefits and functions— a reason some scholars ascribe to their destruction or vandalism through encroachment and building on lands reserved for urban greenspaces. Findings from this research reveal otherwise; residents of the Metropolis were conscious of urban greenspace benefits and functions. Residents were also willing to support urban greenspace initiatives voluntarily and financially. From these two contrasting perspectives, one conclusion can be drawn: the actions of residents in relation to urban greenspace destruction has been misunderstood. This research concludes that residents’ destructive behaviors in relation to urban greenspaces reflect an indirect demand on urban authorities to pay attention to their development needs including spaces for housing and economic activities. This also has implications for planning urban greenspaces as CCIs in the Metropolis; that is, the goals of CCIs must satisfy the development needs of residents. Without such an approach, CCIs will receive low attention in urban development plans and a low priority among residents, as in the case of urban greenspaces in the Kumasi Metropolis. ii © Stephen Kofi Diko 2019 iii DEDICATION To my loving wife and son. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENT The journey so far has not been easy, but at last, it has come to an end. With joy and gratitude in my heart, it is only appropriate that I give thanks to Jehovah God, who has guided me through this journey. I find joy in Psalm 9:1 that reads: “I will praise you, O Jehovah, with all my heart; I will tell about all your wonderful works” (New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, NWT). Yes indeed, Jehovah has done a lot for me. To my wife, Emelia-Claudia Dedei Diko— I am forever thankful. The burden of this journey has not been easy on you; the sacrifices that you made to support me, only Jehovah God knows. I recognize and appreciate you very much for your patience and support. My words pale to your contribution to this journey. Truly, “Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than that of corals” (Proverbs 31:10, NWT). To Dr. Danilo Palazzo, my mentor, advisor, and chair of my dissertation committee, I am grateful for the immense support, guidance, and believe in my potential and abilities. You opened doors that paved the way for me to complete my studies. Since 2012, when I started working with you, your mentorship and insight into academia and the research world have provided me with the needed foundation to move further in the next stage of my journey. To my dissertation committee members, Dr. Xinhao Wang and Dr. Leah Hollstein, you have both given me feedback that has continually shaped this dissertation. Without your insights, comments, suggestions and overall support, this project would not have come to a fruitful end. Dr. Leah Hollstein, you deserve special mention for your mentorship and timely response to my several requests for support in relation to my research, scholarship applications, and recommendation letters. To all of you, I say thank you very much. I look forward to collaborating with you all on future projects. Special thanks also go to Dr. Elleh Nnamdi, formerly of the School of Architecture and Interior Design, who helped me with my transition into the University of Cincinnati as a new v student. And to all other faculty of the University of Cincinnati School of Planning, particularly Dr. David J. Edelman and Dr. Johanna Looye (my master’s thesis supervisors), I am very much grateful for your training and guidance. To my family— my parents: George and Mary Diko, my siblings: Catherine and Harold, my in-laws: Joseph and Hanna Anum, Elvis Anum, Freeman Anum, and Mathias Anum. I am really indebted to you all. Thank you for your patience, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. I am also grateful to Seth and Florence Addo-Koranteng who supported in many ways. To my “adopted” family in Cincinnati, Mike and Esther Otu and Comfort Otu (A.k.a. Grandma Sisi), may Jehovah richly bless you for all the words of encouragement, sacrifices, and support you have given. Special thanks also go to my friends in Cincinnati. You helped me become a better person both physically and spiritually. Mark and Rachel Dennis, Vondell and Shekinah Caldwell, Fred and Carol West, and Emmanuel Kordieh, you have a special place in my heart. Akwasi and Ruth Sarpong, Seth and Esther Adjei, Mike and Margaret Acheampong, Cornelius Agyei-Poku, and the entire congregation of the Tylersville Road Twi Congregation (West Chester Township, OH), words cannot express how grateful I am to you all throughout my journey. May Jehovah continue to bless you for your kindness, encouragement, and support to me and my family. Ameen Nsiah Kyirapim, you have been a brother; Augustine Ansah Akrofi, we have been through thick and thin since our undergraduate days and you warmly welcomed me into your house when I was conducting my data collection; Boatema Fiscian, my research assistant, you guided me through the Kumasi Metropolis and made my data collection efficient and effective; Dr. Kwame Owusu-Daaku (and wife, Ama Owusu-Daaku), worked on different projects and responded to my numerous requests for recommendation letters despite your busy schedules; Dr. vi Seth Asare Okyere, supported my research with your generosity and worked on different projects since our undergraduate days; Abena Owusu Yamoah (now Mrs. Donkor) and Felix Twum Barimah, you have supported me through various transitions between Ghana and USA; Mrs. Dina Adei; Dr. Patrick Cobbinah and Dr. Ransford A. Acheampong, provided me with maps on Kumasi Metropolis. I appreciate you all and glad to have you in my life. I am also thankful to all the staff of the University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research: Dr. Eric Rademacher, Dr. Kimberly Downing, Dr. Robin Lindquist-Grantz, Dr. Leah Dean, Elizabeth Nurre, Karole Moore, Melissa Smith, and Megan Meier. Unfortunately, time and space do not allow me to mention everyone’s name so please forgive me, if I fail to mention yours, as I cherish the support from all my friends. Additionally, I express my gratitude to the University of Cincinnati Research Council for their Summer Graduate Research Fellowship and the Graduate School for their Graduate Student Fellowship. I am also grateful to the School of Planning for their Scholarships, Assistantships, and Dissertation Research Grant. All these supported different aspects of my studies and enabled me to complete this dissertation. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to all individuals in the Kumasi Metropolis and institutions that avail themselves for this study and provided me with the needed data. It is my hope that this research helps inform urban policies that will bring transformative