An apposite framework for green cities development in developing countries: the case of Ghana
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 10 August 2021
Issue publication date: 28 November 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a framework to guide green cities development in developing countries. The study adapted and validated indicators that can be adopted, to predict, estimate, depict and measure green city development in developing countries. In using a covariance-based structural equation model (CBSEM), the study developed a framework for green cities development in developing countries using Kumasi city (Ghana) as a case study.
Design/methodology/approach
To test the proposed framework, a quantitative methodology was used, in which, data was collected using research questionnaires that targeted a sample of 200 green city experts. In total, 154 useable questionnaires were retrieved, representing a response rate of 77%. The confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were adopted in a CBSEM.
Findings
The indices reported were indicative that the model/framework is a good fit for the data. This points to the direction that the model for measuring green city development was statistically significant and acceptable. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed a robust fit of the indices, as they met the standardised cut-off points and as such the model fits the data.
Practical implications
This novel research is one of the few studies investigating green cities development in Ghana which could serve as a lesson for other developing countries. The proposed green city framework will serve as a guide to stakeholders in identifying the key indicators/factors that are critical to green city development in developing countries, especially Ghanaian cities.
Originality/value
This study proposed a green city framework to guide the development of green cities based on the local context of Ghana.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflicts of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the data collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.
This paper forms part of a large MSc. research project aimed at green cities development in developing countries. The authors recognize that this paper shares a similar background and methodology with other related papers that have been published by the authors, but with different scopes and objectives. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for funding this research. The authors also appreciatively acknowledge the Department of Construction Technology and Management, KNUST for supporting this research. Special appreciation also go to the Editors and anonymous reviewers whose constructive and invaluable comments and propositions played a pivotal role in noticeably improving the quality of the work. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Mr. Eric Asamoah for his help with the data analysis and all the respondents who participated in this study.
Citation
Debrah, C. and Owusu-Manu, D.-G. (2022), "An apposite framework for green cities development in developing countries: the case of Ghana", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 4, pp. 789-808. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-08-2020-0132
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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