The Department of Architecture from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly (YKMA) and the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), held a joint meeting to present key findings from a comprehensive peri-urban survey conducted within the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
The session served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, bringing together academia, local government, and traditional authorities in a collaborative effort to promote sustainable municipal development through research-driven insights.
The event commenced with the arrival of distinguished stakeholders including Dr.-Ing. Alexander Boakye Marful, Studio Master from the KNUST Department of Architecture; Madam Eyram Agbemava, Acting CEO of DVLA Centrr 1; Mr. Godwin Kwame Kandah from the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly; and a high-powered delegation from UESD led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson.
Dr.-Ing. Marful opened the session by outlining the agenda and objectives of the survey presentation. This was followed by a welcome address from Prof. Nyarko-Sampson, who lauded the initiative and set a collaborative tone for the engagement.
In his remarks, Mr. Kandah highlighted the strategic relevance of the peri-urban survey in informing future planning and sustainable development efforts in the Yilo Krobo area. He reiterated the Municipal Assembly’s commitment to integrating the research findings into practical developmental strategies.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson underscored the transformative power of academic research in influencing policy and driving community-based solutions. He praised the KNUST students for their extensive fieldwork and emphasized the potential for deeper collaboration between KNUST and UESD, given their aligned academic visions. He noted that KNUST’s hands-on, experiential learning model resonates strongly with UESD’s educational philosophy.
The Vice-Chancellor also spotlighted the Mastercard Foundation-supported “Nkabom” project, a collaborative initiative involving KNUST, Koforidua Technical University (KTU), University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and McGill University. UESD’s contribution to the project centers on agro-waste processing and aquaculture technology, as part of a broader mission to generate employment opportunities for youth in the agricultural sector.
The core of the event featured group presentations by KNUST students, who were divided into 10 thematic teams. Each group delivered 15-minute presentations covering critical areas such as:
Socio-Economic Characteristics, Physical Infrastructure, Ecology and Environment, Urban Design, Urban Morphology, Public and Community Services, Cultural Heritage and History and Pedestrian Experience.
Each presentation offered insightful analyses, identified key challenges, and proposed strategic interventions to address the unique developmental needs of the Yilo Krobo municipality.
An interactive open forum followed, providing space for stakeholders to ask questions, offer feedback, and exchange ideas with the students. This session fostered rich dialogue and reinforced the collaborative essence of the program.
The event concluded with a group photo session and informal networking, strengthening relationships among participants across academia, governance, and community development.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson expressed heartfelt appreciation to the visiting KNUST students for their active participation and commitment. He emphasised the value of practical field experience in architectural education and encouraged continued collaboration between the partnering institutions.
Also, Dr. Dominic Boyetey, Head of Department of Built Environment; Mr. Mathias Napar Neina and Mr. Seyram Kofi Loh, Assistant Lecturers; Mr. Evans Borkor, Assistant Registrar; Mr. Daniel Ofori Mintah, Head of Community Engagement, Projects and Innovations; and Architect Kwame Poku from Physical Development and Estate Management.