“Comparative analysis of spatial and non-spatial factors influencing residential location choices in selected urban fringe communities in Northern Ghana”
Country of Study
Ghana
Institution
Kwame Nkruhmah University of Science and Technology
Expected Year of Completion
2026
Thematic Area
Climate Change, Natural Resources, and the Environment
Education
Rhoda holds a Master’s degree in Development Planning and Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which she completed in February 2021. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Planning at the same university. Rhoda has completed her coursework and successfully defended her research proposal. She is expected to complete her PhD in November 2026. She currently works as a Program Officer at Democracy International.
Research Summary
Rhoda’s research addresses the critical gap in understanding the factors influencing residential choices in urban fringe communities in Northern Ghana, where rapid urbanization is pushing people to the outskirts of cities. There is limited research on how both spatial factors, like proximity to city centers and infrastructure, and non-spatial factors, such as cultural values and family ties, impact these decisions. Existing studies on urban fringe communities have largely focused on specific issues such as transportation challenges or urban sprawl, but there is insufficient focus on the broader dynamics that shape where people choose to live. This research aims to fill this gap by exploring the relationships between spatial and non-spatial factors, offering valuable insights for urban planners to develop more sustainable and inclusive urban fringe areas.
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