TY - JOUR
T1 - A Coastal City in Decline
T2 - Exploring the drivers of derelict and decaying old and historic buildings in Sekondi, Ghana
AU - Arthur, Isaac K.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2024.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Using a case study design and a qualitative approach, this paper investigates the drivers of derelict and decaying old and historic buildings in Sekondi, Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify and interview 17 participants. Each interview was recorded, verbatim transcribed, and coded to identify prominent themes. The findings demonstrate that the city's economic decline, absence of owners, financial issues, litigation, chieftaincy disputes, and poor structural integrity all contribute to the abandonment and decaying of buildings. The results draw the attention of local authorities to establish and implement an economic revitalization plan targeted at increasing the financial capacity of individuals, businesses, and state-owned institutions, which can contribute to reversing the paths of blight in the area. It is also vital for city authorities to establish multi-stakeholder dialogues to find ways of mitigating the menace and phenomenon of building neglect and decay. The findings provide substance for further research into the development of a regeneration strategy to improve building quality and make Sekondi more attractive and livable.
AB - Using a case study design and a qualitative approach, this paper investigates the drivers of derelict and decaying old and historic buildings in Sekondi, Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify and interview 17 participants. Each interview was recorded, verbatim transcribed, and coded to identify prominent themes. The findings demonstrate that the city's economic decline, absence of owners, financial issues, litigation, chieftaincy disputes, and poor structural integrity all contribute to the abandonment and decaying of buildings. The results draw the attention of local authorities to establish and implement an economic revitalization plan targeted at increasing the financial capacity of individuals, businesses, and state-owned institutions, which can contribute to reversing the paths of blight in the area. It is also vital for city authorities to establish multi-stakeholder dialogues to find ways of mitigating the menace and phenomenon of building neglect and decay. The findings provide substance for further research into the development of a regeneration strategy to improve building quality and make Sekondi more attractive and livable.
KW - Decay
KW - Derelict
KW - Ghana
KW - Old and historic buildings
KW - Sekondi
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199505172&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s12132-024-09522-5
DO - 10.1007/s12132-024-09522-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85199505172
SN - 1015-3802
JO - Urban Forum
JF - Urban Forum
ER -