Does green space matter? Public knowledge and attitude towards urban greenery in Ghana

Abstract

In this paper, we examined the spatial depletion of urban green space, public knowledge and attitude towards urban greenery in Greater Kumasi. This is a qualitative study involving 120 randomly selected household respondents from eight communities and 8 purposively sampled key informants representing heads of their respective institutions. Additionally, field observations were made of human encroachments and conversions of the green landscape in the study communities. While respondents demonstrated knowledge on what green space can offer, their desire for and readiness to protect it was expressly low. Indeed, respondents’ needs for land within the urban and peri-urban space for residential, commercial and other requirements were placed far above the need for urban greenery. Key informants were expectedly knowledgeable about urban green space benefits. Strangely, institutions mandated to ensure the protection of the urban greenery rather blamed others for the problem. The consequence is that Greater Kumasi has over the years lost most of its greenery. Since the current land use practices are unsustainable, we recommend adoption and enforcement of smart growth policies that will help protect urban green space. This will also demand institutional strengthening, enforcement of land use regulations that protect urban green space as well as public education in order to make the city liveable for all.