Impact of Rapid Urbanization on Urban Water Supply: A Case Study of the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana (PDF)

Master's Thesis from the year 2016 in the subject Geography / Earth Science - Demographics, Urban Management, Planning, grade: 1.7, University of Stuttgart, course: Master Program Infrastructure Planning (MIP) - Urbanization and urban water supply, language: English, abstract: The vital role played by urbanization in a country's development cannot be overemphasized. Urbanization ensures cost-effectiveness in the provision of public infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads, healthcare and schools among others in urban areas as a result of the spatial clustering of population and economic activities. Nonetheless, rapid urbanization without corresponding infrastructure provision results in congestion and pressure on existing facilities and presents a plethora of challenges to city managers and utility providers. This study therefore seeks to examine the major impacts of rapid urbanization on urban water supply. To do this, a case study approach was adopted in order to put the study into context and perspective. More specifically, the study takes the city of Accra, Ghana's rapidly growing economic and political centre, as an empirical case. The study was based on empirical research conducted in selected suburbs within the city of Accra, including a series of structured and semi-structured in-depth interviews with households, representatives of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the officials of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). Additionally, the assessment of literature, websites and official city and state policy documents played a crucial role.

The broad assessment of the abundant literature consulted and the field survey point to the fact that, indeed, the rapid rate of urbanization in Accra has serious impacts on urban water supply including the environment, physical water infrastructure and overall service delivery. Frequent bursts of pipe lines due to unplanned developments, high incidence of water theft, frequent service interruption due to high water demand and undermined water quality as a result of poor sanitation management are some of the major impacts. Based on the key findings the study proposes relevant policy measures that could help alleviate the negative impacts. These include the need to promote decentralized development in the country; effective planning, regulation and control of development; rehabilitation and expansion of existing water infrastructure in the city; and monitoring and clamping down on water theft in the city among others. The overarching goal of this study is to provide valuable insights into the formulation and implementation of holistic urban policy on water infrastructure towards sustainability and realisation of urban efficiency.