Urban heat and the vanishing garden: a socio-ecological perspective from Ghana

Situated within the socio-ecological systems (SES) theory, this study examines the intricate relationship between land use/land cover (LULC) changes and rising land surface temperature (LST) in Kumasi, highlighting the socio-ecological dynamics that drive urban heat effects. A mixed-methods approach was employed to obtain primary data from 927 residents across the city and six urban planning institutions, together with a two-decade LULC and LST analysis. The findings revealed a 40% decline in green cover alongside rapid expansion of built-up areas and farmlands, directly impacting the city’s microclimate. There is a strong negative correlation between greenspaces and LST (r= -0.78, p < 0.001), with further analysis showing that for every 10% decrease in greenspace coverage, there was an average temperature increase of 1.5 °C across the city. Despite public awareness of the ecological and health benefits of greenspaces, weak urban governance, land tenure complexities, poor attitudes towards greenspace management, and rapid urbanization have led to the continued deterioration of green cover. The disconnect between scientific evidence and local perspectives suggests the need for participatory governance where interventions align with both empirical data and community engagement. This study contributes to the broader discourse on urban climate resilience, emphasizing the need for a systems-based approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of human activities, environmental processes, and policy interventions.