Kumasi, April 17,– Urban planning systems must urgently integrate context-specific noise control measures to improve the quality of human settlements, an architecture expert has said.
Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie of the Department of Architecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) stressed that noise mitigation should be embedded in spatial and physical development planning, particularly in rapidly growing African cities with mixed land-use patterns.
He said such interventions must take into account the environmental, cultural and socio-economic realities of urban areas, where residential, commercial and industrial activities often overlap.
Prof Amos-Abanyie made the remarks during his Professorial Inaugural Lecture at KNUST, titled “Protecting Humanity from Itself: Indoor Environmental Quality in an Era of Climate Stress.”
He explained that climate change is worsening indoor environmental conditions, with rising temperatures and humidity levels increasing reliance on artificial cooling systems across Ghanaian cities.
According to him, buildings should no longer be viewed only as physical structures, but as environments that directly affect human health, comfort and productivity.
He further proposed that the Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with universities such as KNUST, introduce Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) monitoring within the defect liability period and as part of occupancy certification processes.
He noted that while buildings may meet structural and regulatory standards, occupants could still be exposed to poor indoor conditions if environmental quality is not assessed.
Prof Amos-Abanyie also recommended collaboration between the Energy Commission and academic institutions to develop national Building Energy Performance guidelines to be included in the building permit process.
He observed that energy efficiency requirements are currently not strongly enforced in construction approvals, leading to weak adoption of sustainable design practices.
The architecture professor further advocated for building designs that anticipate future expansion, suggesting that housing units should be planned with structured extension frameworks from the outset.
He also called for the creation of dedicated Indoor Environmental Quality units within metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to support planning approvals, development control and public education.
According to him, such institutional reforms are necessary to address urbanisation pressures and improve living conditions in Ghana’s growing cities.
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