Land Use Competition

Rapid urbanisation is one of the major challenges the world faces in the 21st century especially in the developing world which is projected to experience highest growth but where governments have very little capacity to effectively manage the expected growth. The processes of urbanisation engender land use competition, most notably in peri-urban areas, and this has implications for poverty, food security, employment and environmental sustainability in the rapidly growing cities of the developing world. This book contributes to understanding of urbanisation processes in developing countries by exploring the nexus between urbanisation, land use competition and food security in peri-urban areas of Tamale, a rapidly growing city in Ghana. The Tamale Metropolitan Area has witnessed phenomenal urbanisation over the few decades: A population increase of 116% between 1984 and 2000, and a spatial expansion of 137% between 1989 and 2005 reflect it. The six-chapter analysis provided in this book makes the case for enhanced land use planning and urban governance for socio-economic wellbeing of newly urbanizing areas, harmonious spatial development and environmental sustainability.