Fire risks management in emerging Ghanaian cities: land use planning responses for siting petrol and gas stations in the Tamale Metropolis

Abstract

Fire disasters are common in unplanned areas of African cities. In urban Ghana, recent increases in fire outbreaks from gas and petrol stations with devastating effects on adjoining land uses raise questions about the effectiveness of the current zoning regulations and land-use planning regimes. Using Tamale Metropolis, a fast growing city in northern Ghana, this paper explores how land use planning and zoning practices reduce fire risk from gas and petrol stations. The study adopted qualitative methods of in-depth interviews of 35 metropolitan officials, 39 landowners and 78 operators of gas and petrol stations, purposively selected. In addition, the locations of all gas stations were visited and observed using site analysis techniques. The study revealed that there has been no accidental fires in the last decade. The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, through its Physical Planning Department and Spatial Planning Committee implements its land use decisions and zoning codes through monthly sensitization programs, field visits and effective monitoring of adherence and compliance with development permits given to operators of gas stations. The study recommends intensified and sustained land use planning and zoning enforcement in rapidly urbanizing cities in Ghana.