Urbanization remains a single predominant factor that is continuously linked to the destruction of urban green spaces. This has created a knowledge gap of limited attention to other critical factors that deplete urban green spaces in diverse ways. Using Kumasi city (Ghana) which is suffering from rapid deterioration of its green spaces as a study area, this paper sought to fill this gap by exploring other key factors aside urbanization that are responsible for the destruction of urban green spaces. The paper relied on a case study research approach and triangulated data collection techniques such as in-depth interview, focus group discussion, personal observation and retrieval of archival data. In all, 30 in-depth interviews, 10 focus group discussions and numerous personal observations were carried out. It was observed that apart from urbanization, laxity in the enforcement of development controls, problem of ownership of green space lands, low priority to green spaces, uncooperative attitudes of the general public, poor culture of maintenance and lack of coordination among the allied bodies on green spaces play a critical role in the destruction of urban green spaces. The paper therefore concludes that for a city to have a preserved and sustainable urban green space, a broader public policy or city development plans that take into consideration the factors highlighted by the paper in addition to urbanization is essential.
Abstract:Improving citizens' quality of life is a stated priority of many governments in both the global north and south. However, efforts to achieve this often focus on socio-economic measures, with limited attention to the contributions of environmental variables such as green spaces. This paper sought to bridge this knowledge gap by tracing the linkages between green spaces and quality of life, and how these connections can inform policy development in order to assist governments to achieve positive outcomes for quality of life. The paper took a theoretical approach by utilising the systematic review method. In all, 452 publications were included in this review, and rigorous content analysis was employed to retrieve relevant data. Green spaces were found to provide various social, economic, and environmental benefits, which in turn improve physical, psychological, emotional, social, and material wellbeing of individuals and thus enhance quality of life. It is therefore strongly recommended that conservation of green spaces should be integrated into national health, environmental and socio-economic policies in order to promote effective utilisation of green spaces to enhance citizens' overall quality of life.
Preserving natural environment in the physical landscape of cities is an important component of the garden city model. It helps to maintain ecological balance between nature and human activities. This paper sought to assess the garden city status of Kumasi (Ghana) from the perspective of available green vegetation (green spaces). Using a case study research strategy, archival records (such as Landsat satellite images), documentary data and personal observations constituted the sources of data for the study. It was found out that Kumasi has lost most of its green vegetation to housing developments and commercial activities. The city's preserved green belts have become vacant, most of the parks and gardens are no more with many of the remaining parks converted into commercial centres. Urban sprawl was also very prevalent causing excessive loss of green vegetation at the fringes of the city. Kumasi now lacks enough green vegetation which is contrary to the garden city model that the city was built on. It is therefore recommended that conservation of the green vegetation should be made a priority by the city authorities with appropriate green space strategy put in place to guide the development of the city's green spaces.
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