Dynamics and Implications of Commercialising Residential Spaces: A Case Study of Tamale Metropolis

The impacts of urban landscapes and the changing face of city structures in Ghana have accelerated over the years, often orchestrated by numerous factors including urban growth and its attendant urbanisation and urban development. Increasing rate of urbanisation has resulted in the need for redefining urban development. Although urban development often enhances the physical living structure of cities, its social effects are often not positive. One such change is the commercialisation of residential units. This study examined the extent of urbanisation and its resultant commercialisation of residential units in the Tamale Metropolis, identified the financial arrangements available for conversion of such units to commercial spaces, as well as ascertained the social implications of commercialising these units. The study adopted the mixed method research design. The sampling techniques employed by the study in the collection of data included purposive sampling, snowball and convenience sampling. The study's major findings centred on the proposed research questions and objectives indicated that property owners haphazardly did the conversions without any consultations and clearance from the Physical Planning Departments of the assemblies within which the properties are situated. The study further identified that landlords financed all activities associated with the commercialisation process mainly through personal savings or self-support. As a result, landlords could only build to the best of their capacity leading to a mismatch in the general outlook of converted properties. Another key finding was the opportunity this phenomenon offered businesses to grow and expand since tenants mostly sought spaces that would draw traffic to their businesses regardless of the rental values such properties commanded. Also, it was found that the conversions contributed to traffic congestion and mounted pressure on parking spaces due to an increase in vehicular traffic within the Central Business District. Housing instability, loss of family ties and insecurity were social elements that were explored however, these effects were insignificant to the study area.