View article

This paper investigates spatial distribution of places of worship (PoW) and its implications on sustainable land use planning in a rapidly urbanising city of Kumasi, Ghana. Using semi-structured interviews, document reviews and agency consultations, this paper focused on three issues: (a) the location and distribution of PoW, (b) factors considered in the location of these PoW by faith groups and (c) planning implications of PoW. Findings indicate that location decisions vary according to different faith groups. However, none of the faith groups interviewed considered land use planning regulations as key decision-making factor, as proximity to members, affordability and availability of land remained dominant factors. This situation has created avoidable land use conflicts and has become an additional burden on urban planning authorities who are already faced with pervasive land use challenges such as slum …