Demographic and Housing Aspects of Structural Adjustment and Emerging Urban Form in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Previous research on the nexus of global and local forces suggests that African cities such as Accra and Dar es Salaam are experiencing new forms of settlement. For Accra, the new form has been described as a quality residential sprawl with unicentric tendencies (QRSUT). Demographic and housing data released in Ghana's 2000 population census confirm the emergence of this form. This development is significant to city planners and managers, not just in Accra, but in other African cities. This essay presents demographic and housing evidence supporting the interpretation that a QRSUT has emerged in Accra and discusses developments that have occurred since 1997.