Capital city functions and sustainable city nexus: Sustainability analysis of major regional capital cities in Ghana

Urban sustainability has become a major focus in contemporary urban planning, particularly for capital cities that serve as economic, political, and cultural hubs. This study examines the sustainability of Ghana's major regional capitals of Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast. In this study, the researchers used the sustainable city framework to assess the cities' economic viability, ecological resilience, and social sustainability. Using the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (2018) framework, the researchers relied on secondary and spatial data to conduct the sustainability analysis. The secondary data used in this research include government documents, urban development policy, census data, and development plans for the three cities. The key indicators used to assess the sustainability of the cities include economic indicators (employment, economic diversification), environmental indicators (land cover change, water sustainability), and social indicators (access to healthcare, education level, sanitation conditions). In terms of the ecological sustainability of Accra, the results of the study showed a rapid decrease in green areas in the city. The total area of green spaces decreased from 427.6 km2 in 2013 to 246.5 km2 in 2023, representing a percent decrease of 42.4%. Overall, the social sustainability analysis shows that Accra has a strong educational infrastructure base, and this has contributed to its high literacy rates of 89.3%. Cape Coast has a literacy rate of 89.7% but has limited access to medical care, sanitation, and fiscal security. Based on the results of the study, the researchers recommend the need for city authorities adopt integrated city planning strategies to help address the sustainability issues identified. The researchers further recommend the adoption of emerging land-use planning strategies that will promote the sustainability of cities, such as smart city innovations. Finally, governance frameworks of cities in Ghana should be restructured to respond to the sustainable development needs of urban dwellers.