The use of Public Transport to Implement a Polycentric Development model in Sekondi-Takoradi

Abstract

The 2021 population and housing census put the population of Ghana at 30.8 million people. At the Ghana Urban Forum 2024, it was revealed that this population is expected to rise to 50 million people by 2050, with 70% of the estimated population living in urban areas. However, urbanisation in the country continues to be haphazard, disorganised and characterised by disregard for laws. Using government policies and frameworks with a doctoral analysis, this research report investigates how efficient urban transport systems can address core urbanisation issues of sprawl and congestion in the twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi. The theoretical underpinnings of the polycentric spatial model are used to explore how urban planning policy, practice, and transportation systems work together to create activity centres that ease congestion in the mother city. Despite administrative and policy configurations to promote polycentricity, institutional capacity and lapses stand as challenges in achieving this balanced urban development. Also, access in urban design focuses on road-led infrastructure with few indications on how intermodal transport infrastructure will be achieved, which stands as a complex challenge to achieving polycentric development as observed in the global north, Latin America and China.