Integrate Noise Control in Urban Planning – Architect
Professor Samuel Amos-Abanyie, a lecturer at the Department of Architecture at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called for the integration of noise control mechanisms into urban and spatial development planning to improve the quality of life in rapidly expanding cities.
He explained that as urban centres continue to grow, particularly across Africa where mixed land use is widespread, it has become increasingly important to include context-specific noise mitigation strategies in physical planning frameworks.
Delivering his inaugural professorial lecture at KNUST, Professor Amos-Abanyie stressed that urban planning must reflect the environmental, cultural, and socio-economic realities of modern cities undergoing rapid transformation.
According to him, incorporating such measures is essential to ensure that development outcomes align with the actual living conditions of residents.
He also noted that buildings should no longer be viewed merely as static structures, but as active environments that directly influence human health, comfort, and overall well-being.
Titled “Protecting Humanity from Itself: Indoor Environmental Quality in an Era of Climate Stress,” his lecture highlighted how climate change is worsening indoor environmental conditions. He pointed out that rising temperatures and humidity levels are increasing dependence on artificial cooling systems.
Professor Amos-Abanyie therefore advocated for a shift in building design philosophy that prioritises environmental performance alongside structural safety.
He recommended that the Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with institutions such as KNUST, introduce Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) monitoring as part of building inspection, defect liability assessments, and occupancy certification processes.
He explained that a building may meet all structural and regulatory requirements, yet still expose occupants to poor air quality, heat stress, and other unhealthy indoor conditions.
“In the Ghanaian context, energy-efficient design strategies are not strongly enforced as part of the building permit process, and as a result, they are often overlooked or poorly implemented in construction,” he observed.
Professor Amos-Abanyie further proposed closer collaboration between the Energy Commission of Ghana and academic institutions to develop national guidelines for Building Energy Performance Reports, which should be integrated into the development approval process.
He also encouraged architects and developers to adopt incremental housing designs, centred on a core unit that allows for planned and sustainable future expansion.
Additionally, he suggested the establishment of dedicated Indoor Environmental Quality units within metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies. These units, he said, would ensure that environmental quality considerations are properly incorporated into planning approvals, development control, and public education.
He concluded that such interventions are necessary to ensure that Ghana’s built environment becomes more resilient, energy-efficient, and responsive to the challenges of climate change and rapid urbanisation.
