SLUM IMPROVEMENT IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS, GHANA: A REVIEW OF APPROACHES AND RESULTS

The manifestations of slums in Ghanaian cities have raised questions about sustainable urban planning and management. This paper assesses the socio-economic and environmental characteristics of slums in selected suburbs in Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, and further examines the approaches that have been used over the past decade to control theproliferation of slums. The paper also assesses the environmental impacts of these approaches in dealing with slums. Using empirical data from the selected suburban communities and decentralised government institutions, the study outlines the characteristics and challenges of selected slum interventions in the Kumasi metropolis over the past decade. It is revealed that slum interventions in Kumasi focus on the symptoms of slums and are less sensitive to the environment. This paper therefore proposes solutions that address the root causes of slum development to ensure the creation of environmentally liveable, socially inclusive and sustainable urban environment.