Debrah, C; Owusu-Manu, D G; Kissi, E; Oduro-Ofori, E and Edwards, D J (2022) Barriers to green cities development in developing countries: Evidence from Ghana. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 11(3), pp. 438-453. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Of late, cities across the globe are taking pragmatic steps towards addressing environmental, social and economic problems in the debate on sustainable development. Even so, little attention has been paid to studies focused on developing countries. The aim of this study is to examine the barriers to green cities development in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to examine the barriers to green cities development. In terms of methodological choice, a quantitative research strategy was used to collect data from professionals who have lines of influence on the greening of our cities and sustainable urban development. Findings: The barriers to green city development identified were lack of awareness of the benefits of a green city, environmental degradation, insufficient policy implementation efforts, excessive generation of solid waste and poor wastewater collection and treatment. It was indicative from the study findings that taking the right sustainable steps in urban development and a paradigm shift towards the pillars of sustainability, Ghanaian cities, especially Kumasi, have a great proclivity of regaining its longstanding status being “Garden City”. Practical implications: The outcome of this study provides stakeholders in city development an insight into the barriers that inhibit the development of green cities. In practice, this study contributively proposes that the concept of green cities should be incorporated in the education and training of stakeholders to improve the level of awareness. Originality/value: This paper presents the foremost comprehensive study appraising green city development in Ghana.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; Ghana; green cities; sustainable cities; sustainable development; urbanisation |
| Index terms: | sustainable development, strategy, literature review, greening, developing country, evidence, policy implementation, methodology, sustainable urban development, sustainable city, green city, Ghana, quantitative research, environmental degradation, urbanization, education and training, urban development, paradigm |
| Subjects: | professional education, research methods, education and knowledge transfer, management, development economics, urban design, Geography, sustainable design, health safety and environment, sustainability and resilience, urban planning, data analysis and analytics, policy studies, evaluation and assessment methods, environmental impact |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, International Construction, Education, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Governance, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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