IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/lauspo/v146y2024ics0264837724002771.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Embedding spatial planning in contemporary multi-level governance: The sustainability entanglement

Author

Listed:
  • Banikoi, Hudu
  • Dakyaga, Francis
  • Cobbinah, Patrick Brandful

Abstract

The burgeoning unplanned urbanisation and growing environmental risks across global South cities pose core questions to urban sustainability, planning theory and practice. Who are the agents of, and what are the control mechanisms in spatial plan preparation? To what extent are economic, social, and environmental sustainability principles considered and embedded in spatial plans and frameworks? And what are the possibilities for attaining sustainable urban future via spatial planning practice in the context of multi-level governance? Using Ghana as a case study, and critical literature review, interviews, and policy analysis, we contribute to the spatial planning and sustainability narrative in global South cities by evaluating the extent to which sustainability principles are integrated in Spatial Development Frameworks (SDFs) and Spatial plans (SPs) in Ghana. We show that whereas sustainability is entangled with spatial planning, integrating sustainability principles in contemporary multi-level governance continues to present a complex challenge in practice. The complexities necessitated the engagement of local and international planning firms to complement the efforts of street-level-bureaucrats (local planning officials) in the preparation of spatial development frameworks and plans. However, such collaborations did not result in comprehensive integration of sustainability principles in spatial plans in practice. Our study indicate that, the economic, social, and environmental principles of sustainability were marginally embedded in local spatial plans of the three-tier spatial planning system of Ghana. We argue that equitable prioritisation of the principles of sustainability are required to strengthen local based spatial planning practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Banikoi, Hudu & Dakyaga, Francis & Cobbinah, Patrick Brandful, 2024. "Embedding spatial planning in contemporary multi-level governance: The sustainability entanglement," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:146:y:2024:i:c:s0264837724002771
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107324
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837724002771
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107324?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maggie Baynham & Mark Stevens, 2014. "Are we planning effectively for climate change? An evaluation of official community plans in British Columbia," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(4), pages 557-587, April.
    2. Kwasi Anarfi & Ross A. Hill & Chris Shiel, 2020. "Highlighting the Sustainability Implications of Urbanisation: A Comparative Analysis of Two Urban Areas in Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Constance Carr, 2014. "Discourse Yes, Implementation Maybe: An Immobility and Paralysis of Sustainable Development Policy," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(9), pages 1824-1840, September.
    4. Prosper Issahaku Korah & Patrick Brandful Cobbinah & Abraham Marshall Nunbogu, 2017. "Spatial Planning in Ghana: Exploring the Contradictions," Planning Practice & Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(4), pages 361-384, August.
    5. Edward J. Jepson & Anna L. Haines, 2014. "Zoning for Sustainability: A Review and Analysis of the Zoning Ordinances of 32 Cities in the United States," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 80(3), pages 239-252, July.
    6. Yosef Jabareen, 2008. "A New Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Development," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 179-192, April.
    7. Thierry Giordano, 2014. "Multi-level integrated planning and greening of public infrastructure in South Africa," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(4), pages 480-504, December.
    8. Merle Sowman & A. L. Brown, 2006. "Mainstreaming environmental sustainability into South Africa's integrated development planning process," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(5), pages 695-712.
    9. Thierry Giordano, 2014. "Multi-level integrated planning and greening of public infrastructure in South Africa," Post-Print hal-03062756, HAL.
    10. Cortinovis, Chiara & Geneletti, Davide, 2018. "Ecosystem services in urban plans: What is there, and what is still needed for better decisions," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 298-312.
    11. Sylvia Croese & Cayley Green & Gareth Morgan, 2020. "Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals Through the Lens of Urban Resilience: Lessons and Learnings from 100 Resilient Cities and Cape Town," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    12. Kristina Jönsson & Magdalena Bexell, 2021. "Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals: The case of Tanzania," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 39(2), pages 181-196, March.
    13. Alison Todes, 2004. "Regional planning and sustainability: limits and potentials of South Africa's integrated development plans," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(6), pages 843-861.
    14. Tan Yigitcanlar & Md. Kamruzzaman, 2015. "Planning, Development and Management of Sustainable Cities: A Commentary from the Guest Editors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-12, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Menzori, Ivan Damasco & Sousa, Isabel Cristina Nunes de & Gonçalves, Luciana Márcia, 2021. "Urban growth management and territorial governance approaches: A master plans conformance analysis," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    2. Clement, Jessica & Ruysschaert, Benoit & Crutzen, Nathalie, 2023. "Smart city strategies – A driver for the localization of the sustainable development goals?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    3. Danielle Spurlock & Philip Berke, 2022. "Intention and Action: Evaluating the Policy Antecedents of Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Kwasi Anarfi & Chris Shiel & Ross A. Hill, 2020. "Assessing How Sustainability Is Promoted in Ghana’s National Urban Policy and Action Plan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Peter Aning Tedong & Wan Nor Azriyati Wan Abd Aziz & Zafirah Al-Sadat Zyed, 2021. "Planners’ Perspectives on Governing and Producing Sustainable Cities in Malaysia," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 1197-1214, February.
    6. Xiansheng Chen & Ruisong Quan, 2021. "A spatiotemporal analysis of urban resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Yangtze River Delta," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 106(1), pages 829-854, March.
    7. Makena Coffman & Karen Umemoto, 2010. "The triple-bottom-line: framing of trade-offs in sustainability planning practice," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 12(5), pages 597-610, October.
    8. Pietrzyk-Kaszyńska, Agata & Olszańska, Agnieszka & Rechciński, Marcin & Tusznio, Joanna & Grodzińska-Jurczak, Małgorzata, 2022. "Divergent or convergent? Prioritization and spatial representation of ecosystem services as perceived by conservation professionals and local leaders," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    9. Yutong Tang & Fengyu Gao & Chen Wang & Merit M. Huang & Mabao Wu & Heng Li & Zhuo Li, 2023. "Vertical Greenery System (VGS) Renovation for Sustainable Arcade-Housing: Building Energy Efficiency Analysis Based on Digital Twin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    10. Tandarić, Neven & Ives, Christopher D. & Watkins, Charles, 2022. "From city in the park to “greenery in plant pots”: The influence of socialist and post-socialist planning on opportunities for cultural ecosystem services," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    11. Huilian Han & Hui Li, 2020. "Coupling Coordination Evaluation between Population and Land Urbanization in Ha-Chang Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, January.
    12. Miroshnyk, N.V. & Likhanov, A.F. & Grabovska, T.O. & Teslenko, I.K. & Roubík, H., 2022. "Green infrastructure and relationship with urbanization – Importance and necessity of integrated governance," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    13. Adams, Clare & Frantzeskaki, Niki & Moglia, Magnus, 2023. "Mainstreaming nature-based solutions in cities: A systematic literature review and a proposal for facilitating urban transitions," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    14. Palmyra Repette & Jamile Sabatini-Marques & Tan Yigitcanlar & Denilson Sell & Eduardo Costa, 2021. "The Evolution of City-as-a-Platform: Smart Urban Development Governance with Collective Knowledge-Based Platform Urbanism," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-25, January.
    15. Yu, Rong & Li, Jianhong, 2024. "Does fintech influence sustainable development under natural resource constraints: insights from 270 Chinese cities," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    16. Chiara Cortinovis & Grazia Zulian & Davide Geneletti, 2018. "Assessing Nature-Based Recreation to Support Urban Green Infrastructure Planning in Trento (Italy)," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-20, September.
    17. Gloria Novovic, 2022. "Can Agenda 2030 bring about “localization”? Policy limitations of Agenda 2030 in the broader global governance system," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(4), July.
    18. González-García, Alberto & Palomo, Ignacio & González, José A. & López, César A. & Montes, Carlos, 2020. "Quantifying spatial supply-demand mismatches in ecosystem services provides insights for land-use planning," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    19. Nicos A. Scordis & Yoshihiko Suzawa & Astrid Zwick & Lucia Ruckner, 2014. "Principles for Sustainable Insurance: Risk Management and Value," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 17(2), pages 265-276, September.
    20. Sarfo, Isaac & Qiao, Jiajun & Yeboah, Emmanuel & Puplampu, Dzifa Adimle & Kwang, Clement & Fynn, Iris Ekua Mensimah & Batame, Michael & Appea, Emmanuella Aboagye & Hagan, Daniel Fiifi Tawia & Ayelazun, 2024. "Meta-analysis of land use systems development in Africa: Trajectories, implications, adaptive capacity, and future dynamics," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:146:y:2024:i:c:s0264837724002771. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Joice Jiang (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/land-use-policy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.