The Inception of Regional Spatial Planning

Abstract

Regional spatial planning is necessary for realizing at the sub-national level goals articulated in national spatial development policy instruments. However, what exactly constitutes a region is a contested concept as different types of regions may be imagined and delineated for spatial planning. The focus of this chapter is on spatial planning at the scale of regions in Ghana. The chapter begins by exploring the different types of regions that could be delineated, and outlines the rationale for planning at these spatial scales globally. Zooming into the Ghana context, this chapter explores the story of regional planning in Ghana and critically examines the effect on contemporary regional spatial planning of what has previously been described as a situation of ‘one nation, two planning systems’ in Ghana. Ongoing efforts at institutionalizing regional spatial planning are discussed, using recent Regional Spatial Development Framework experimentation projects to illustrate spatial planning in practice for different types of regions in Ghana. The chapter also reflects on the current structures for delivering the objectives of regional spatial planning and the experiences gained so far from the experimentation projects, and suggests ways for an effective regional spatial planning system.