Spatiality of urban sprawl in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana: a spatio-temporal analysis

Urban sprawl has become a global concern due to the adverse effects on the environmental, social, and economic growth of cities across the world. This study, through geospatial analytic techniques, assessed the extent of urban sprawl in the Greater Kumasi Metropolis from 2000 to 2021. The analysis showed that the built-up area of the metropolis has increased tremendously at the expense of the non-built-up area over the past 20 years (from 50.2% in 2000 to 79.4% in 2021). This is as a result of uncontrolled urbanisation, preference for single-family housing, and the expansion of the catchment area of the Central Business District (CBD). This has resulted in a loss of greenery and an uncontrolled urban growth pattern. There is a need for city authorities to adopt an urban sprawl containment strategy such as the compact city approach. Also, the adoption of nature-based solution approaches and the elements of sustainable city development in the urban planning process will help promote the sustainability of the city.