Urbanization and urban forest loss: a spatial analysis of five metropolitan districts in Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACTThere have been many concerns raised on the impacts of increasing urbanization on sensitive urban ecosystems such as soils, water bodies and forests. The lack of governmental programs and policies further hinders the protection and conservation of these ecosystems especially in developing countries such as Ghana. This research seeks to understand how rapid urbanization has changed urban forest cover within five metropolitan districts, Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and Tamale over the years. In pursuit of this objective, Landsat 7ETM+ and 8OLI images were acquired and analyzed for the years 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020 using Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques. Results showed substantial loss of urban forests in these districts over the 30 year period and increased in built and cultivated land areas. Data also showed increasing population in these districts over the study period. The study concludes with a recommendation for growth management in the country and the urgent need for policy reforms that integrate urban forests and ecosystems protection into mainstream planning and development in the country.

Keywords

• Planning
• management
• urban ecosystem
• urban forestry
• ecological systems
• environment