Determinants of Peri-Urbanization and Land Use Change Patterns in Peri-Urban Ghana

The main aim of this paper is to examine the effects of peri-urbanization on peri-urban land use change patterns, using a binary logistic regression model, in the Bosomtwe district of the Asante region, Ghana. The decision to convert from agricultural land uses to residential and commercial land uses are driven by a myriad of factors, ranging from social to economic in the Bosomtwe District. A triangulation of qualitative and quantitative design was used. Household questionnaires were proportionately administered to 270 respondents in 14 communities, on the basis of population. The data was subjected to the Pearson’s Chi-square, Nigelkerk R2 and Cramer’s V test of strength of association. Astep-wise binary logistic regression modeling was performed using the PASW v.17. Pearson chi-square value of ?2 = 73.546 at 26 degrees was significant at p< .000,athough the Cramer’s V test of the strength of the association was moderate at V = 0.37. The logistic regression model reported an overall significance of the model at p< .000 with ?2 = 24.453, at 4 degrees of freedom. The confidence intervals of (CIs) of (CI- 1.358—4.517) and (CI- 1.039—11.486) for the two main predictors of the outcome, and a B(Exp) values ranging between 2.477 and 3.455 were also reported. This means the odds of respondents being more likely to change their land uses is about 66%. Increasing rate of peri-urbanization is caused by increasing demand for residential, recreational (Hotels and Guest houses) and commercial land uses at the expense of agro-forest land uses. These have some negative implications on local climate and food security. The District assembly should strictly monitor physical development in line with planning schemes.