Building Permit as a Tool for Development Control: Evidence from Sekondi-Takoradi

Abstract

Building permits are an important requirement for orderly urban development. They are consents that a proposed development meets land use regulations. Thus, issuance of building permits goes a long way to promote effective development control in settlements. However, the practice of vetting and approving every development has not been wholly successful in Ghana. This situation has led to haphazard developments in the major urban centres of the country. This study was therefore conducted to investigate how building permits can be used as effective measures for controlling physical development. The evidence shows a disjoint between laid down procedures for development control and actual practice. The results further show that delays in approval and issuance of permits has been a major bottleneck of compliance to building regulations. The paper recommends that efforts should be made to streamline processes for evaluation and issuance of permits.

Key Words: Building permits, Development control, Planning Schemes, Spatial Planning, Urban Development