Cultural Influences and the Built Environment: An Examination of Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

This paper examines indigenous and colonial influences on the development and use of urban space in Kumasi, Ghana as a historical narrative. It is argued that sanitary concern, the creation of a culturally recognizable landscape and residential segregation, through the importation of contemporary English planning practices and ideas, drove residential planning decisions. The paper then proceeds to examine these spaces as they are today, noting that they have either been abandoned or re-appropriated through the reassertion of long-standing cultural traditions. The characteristics of such spaces are next examined, noting that flexibility, multi-purpose, functionality and location all play a role in creating a successful urban space.

Acknowledgements

The author wishes to thank Kwasi Adarkwah at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; Sally Schauman, David Streatfield and Anne Vernez-Moudon at the University of Washington, Seattle; Robert Lake at Rutgers University, New Brunswick; and two anonymous referees for their helpful comments and suggestions. Support for this research was provided by the University of Washington Graduate School Charles Fritz grant. All photographs, and any remaining errors, are by the author.

Notes

1 Please note that throughout this paper I have chosen to consistently spell ‘Ashanti’ and ‘Kumasi’ as written. However, throughout the archival material literature, these can be spelt; ‘Ashante’, ‘Ashantee’ or ‘Coomassie’, ‘Kumase’ respectively. These variations are due to the indigenous oral tradition (no fixed spelling) as well as British insistence on imposing their own spellings.

2 Memorandum, from Executive Officer, Town and Country Planning Board, Ashanti Region, to Chief Commissioner Gold Coast, 2 March 1949 (Ashanti Regional Archives, Kumasi).

3 Memorandum (undated), from District Commisioner, Ashanti Region to Town and Country Planning Board (Ashanti Regional Archives, Kumasi).

4 Town Planning Memorandum, Accra, 19 December 1951 (Ashanti Regional Archives, Kumasi).

5 Town Engineer's Office, Coomassie Public Health Board, 9 September 1924. (Ashanti Regional Archives, Kumasi).

6 Memorandum from the Chief Commissioner on the Ashanti region, 5 January 1952 (Ashanti Regional Archives, Kumasi).

7 The majority of cooking in Ghana, particularly the pounding of ‘fu-fu’, is done outside.

8 The expressed goals of the Town and Country Planning Office include: “To prepare strategic plans for all districts and major urban settlements, to prepare policy proposals on human settlement and revise planning standards, regulations, and guidelines, and to intensify compliance to planning standards, regulations, and guidelines” (Town and Country Planning Office, Accra, 1963, revised 1991).