Dr Isaac K. Arthur

Director, Center for Urban Management Studies

Contact info ikarthur@ug.edu.gh

About

Courses taught:

 Graduate courses

  • GEOS 613: GIS for Urban and Land Use Planning (2018 -Present)
  • GEOG 605: Theories of Rural Development (2012/2013- Present)

Undergraduate courses at the University of Ghana, Legon:

  • GEOG 112: Introduction to Human Geography (2013-2018).
  • GEOG 323: Regional Geography of Africa (2014- 2023).
  • GEOG 324: Regional Geography of Africa- With special reference to Ghana (2014– 2023).
  • GEOG 452: Techniques of Regional Science (2013- Present).
  • GEOG 474: Industrialization in the Developing World (2013- Present).
  • GEOG 475: Industrial Location Theory and Practice (2013- Present).
  • GEOG 453: Geography of the Developing World (2018- Present).
  • GEOG 454: Spatial Organisation (2013- Present).

Education

  • PhD, Planning and Development, Aalborg University, Denmark.
  • MSc Engineering (Urban Planning and Management), Aalborg University, Denmark.
  • M.A., World Heritage Studies, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany. 
  • B.A. Economics and Sociology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.

Research Interest

Current and past research:

  • 2022-2023: Principal Investigator, Urban Regeneration in Coastal Cities: Proposing a Strategy for Revitalising Historic and Old Buildings in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area, Ghana.  Funded by the Regional Studies Association Membership Research Grant Scheme.
  • 2021-2024: Co-Investigator, Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana and Tanzania with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK involving researchers and policy partners from the UK, Ghana and Tanzania. 
  • 2018-2022: Co-Investigator, Mobility and Sociality in Africa’s Emerging Urban with funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) involving 5 African universities, namely University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, University of Zimbabwe, University of Cape Town and Wits University. 
  • 2018-2021: Co-Investigator, Bosch Pan African College on Sustainable Cities with funding from Robert Bosch Stiftung involving 4 African universities, namely the University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, University of Cape Town and Wits University. 
  • 2013- 2015:  Collaborator and Problem-Based Learning Expert (UG Team), Building Stronger Universities E-Learning & Problem-Based Learning Project with funding from Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) involving KNUST, UG and six universities in Tanzania. 

Publications

  1. Arthur, I. K. (2025). Examining Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Strategies for Revitalising Old and Historic Buildings in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area, Ghana. International Development Planning Review, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3828/idpr.2025.11
  2. Arthur, I. K. (2025). A Coastal City in Decline: Exploring the drivers of derelict and decaying old and historic buildings in Sekondi, Ghana. Urban Forum, 36(1), 63–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-024-09522-5
  3. Yeboah, E., Sarfo, I., Qiankun, Z., Kwang, C., Puplampu, D.A., Nikoi, E., Arthur, I. K., Owusu, A. B., Fynn, I. E. M., Rhadiouini, C. E, Okrah, A., Jaffry, A. H., Siddique, F., Aftab, R., Boyetey, D., Siaw, W., Batasuma, S. (2025). Traceability and projected patterns of Africa’s land use systems and climate variability (1993-2053). Land Use Policy, 157, 107680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107680
  4. Afutu-Kotey, R. L., Agyekum, B., & Arthur, I. K. (2024). Investigating the declining apprenticeship trends in Ghana: a human capital perspective. International Journal of Training Research, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2024.2416420 
  5. Arthur, I. K., Agyemang, E., Crenstil, A. O. Wrigley-Asante, C. and Owusu, G. (forthcoming). Urban Infrastructure and Transit-Oriented Development in Accra, Ghana. In Nubi, T., Lawanson, T. & Oyalowo, B. (eds.). Transit Oriented Development in West African Cities, Springer Nature. 
  6. Owusu, A. B., Mensah, C. A., Fynn, I. E. M., Kwang, C., Arthur, I. K., & Adu-Boahen, K. (2023). Indicator-based assessment of the liveability of communities in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana: A transdisciplinary approach. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100702.
  7. Arthur, I. K., Nikoi, E., Crentsil, A. O., Owusu, A. B., Wrigley-Asante, C. N. & Baffoe, V. (2023). Urban Resilience in Africa: A Study of Land-Use Stresses on the Urban Environment in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. African Journal of Housing and Sustainable Development, 4(2), pp. 3-16.
  8. Arthur, I.K., Owusu, K., Obour P. B. & Egyir, S.  (2023). Climate Change, urban heat island effect, and adaptation strategies of vegetable farmers in Accra. In Filho, W. L., Nagy, G. L & Desalegn Y. A. (eds). Handbook of Nature-Based Solutions to Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change. Springer Nature. 
  9. Obour, P. B., Arthur, I. K., & Owusu, K. (2022). The 2020 Maize Production Failure in Ghana: A Case Study of Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality. Sustainability, 14(6), 3514.
  10. Arthur, I.K., Agyemang, E. & Nikoi, E. G. A. (2022). Evaluating the Viability of the Ghana Airport Cargo Centre as Public-Private Partnership Project. In Hakim, S., Clark, R. M. & Blackstone, E.A. (eds). Handbook on Public-Private Partnership in Transportation: Airports, Water Ports, Rail, Buses, Taxis Finance. Vol 1. Springer-Science Switzerland AG.
  11. Arthur, I. K., Nikoi, E. G. A. & Benagr, S. (2020). Advancing the Services Sector’s Potential in Africa Through Customer Experience: A Conceptual Perspective. In Hinson, R.E., Adeola, O., Liturchy, T., and Amartey, A.F.O (eds.). Customer Service Management: A Strategic and Operational Perspective, Routledge: London.
  12. Arthur, I.K. & Yamoah, F. A. (2019). Understanding the role of environmental quality attributes in food-related rural enterprise competitiveness. Journal of Environmental Management 247: 152–160. DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.06.093
  13. Nikoi, E. G. A., Arthur, I.K. & Nambe, M. Y. (2019). Examining the role of networks in conflict induced migration in Bawku. Ghana Journal of Geography, 11(1): 72 – 86.
  14. Arthur, I. K. (2018). Exploring the development prospects of Accra Airport City, Ghana, Area Development and Policy, 3(2): 258-273. https://doi.org/10.1080/23792949.2018.1428112
  15. Arthur, I. K. & Hracs, B. J. (2015). Experience the difference: The competitive strategies of food-related entrepreneurs in rural Denmark. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography. 97 (1): 95–112. https://doi.org/10.1111/geob.12067 
  16. Oteng-Ababio, M. & Arthur, I.K. (2015). (Dis) Continuities in scale, Scope and complexities of the space economy: The shopping mall experience in Ghana. Urban Forum, 26(2): 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-014-9249-x 
  17. Arthur, I.K & Damoah, O. B. O. (2015). Exploring the resource and capabilities of food related enterprises in rural Denmark: Implications for rural enterprises in Ghana.  Ghana Journal of Geography, 7(2): 58–78.
  18. Arthur, I. K. (2013) Abstract. Experience economy, innovation and traditional industries.  Innovation and Development, 3(1), 141-141. DOI: 10.1080/2157930X.2012.721528.
  19. Arthur, I. K. (2011). Oplevelsesøkonomi i fødevaresektoren: En pilotundersøgelse i Thisted Kommune: In Lorentzen, A. and Smidt-Jensen, S. (eds.). Planlægning I oplevelsessamfundet. Aarhus: Aarhus Universitetsforlag.
  20. Arthur, I. K. & Hracs, B. J. (2013). Applying the Experience Economy in Denmark. Martin Prosperity Institute Working Papers- REF. 2013-MPIWP-001) Toronto, CA. Martin Prosperity Institute.
  21. Arthur, I. K. & Hracs, B. J. (2014). Generating distinction and value with experiences: the case of food-related entrepreneurs in rural Denmark. (Martin Prosperity Institute Working Papers- REF. 2014-MPIWP-001) Toronto, CA. Martin Prosperity Institute. 

Book Chapter 

  1. Arthur, I. K., Wrigley-Asante, C. N., Crentsil, A. O., Nikoi, E., Owusu, A. B., & Baffoe, V. (In Press). Land Use Stresses on Urban Environment in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. In T. Nubi, T. Lawanson & B. Oyalowo (Eds.), Urban Resilience in Africa. University of Lagos Press, Lagos
  2. Arthur, I. K., Agyemang, E., Crenstil, A. O. Wrigley-Asante, C. & Owusu, G. (2024). Urban Infrastructure and Transit-Oriented  Development in Accra, Ghana. In T. Nubi, T. Lawanson & B. Oyalowo (Eds.), Transit Oriented Development in West African Cities (pp. 3-13). Springer.
  3. Lawanson, T., Oyalowo, B., Arthur, I. & Nubi, T. (2024). Introduction. In T. Nubi, T. Lawanson & B. Oyalowo (Eds.), Transit Oriented Development in West African Cities (pp. 263-280). Springer.

Working papers:

  1. Mitlin, D., Arthur, I.K.,  Kironde , J.L., Mayumana, I. & Owusu, G.(2025, May). A Dynamic Analysis of Winners and Losers in Africa’s Urban Housing Markets. (Working Paper, Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana and Tanzania).  https://www.lse.ac.uk/geography-and-environment/assets/documents/Understanding-housing-opportunities-work-package-1.pdf
  2. Arthur, I. K., Owusu, G. & Mercer, C. (2025, April). Self-build Housing Economy and Neighbourhood Change in Urban Ghana: Case Studies of Accra and Techiman. (Working Paper, Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana and Tanzania). https://www.lse.ac.uk/geography-and-environment/assets/documents/Working-Paper-Ghana-
  3. Arthur, I.K. & Owusu, G. (2025, March). Draft Summary of Findings: Christian Village & Golf Hills, Accra. (Working Paper, Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana and Tanzania). https://www.lse.ac.uk/geography-and-environment/research/home-grown-growth-in-africancities
  4. Owusu, G. & Arthur, I.K. (2024, October). Households’ Generation of Resources for Housing in Urban Ghana: The Case of Techiman Municipality. (Working Paper, Home-Grown Growth in African Cities: How Self-Build Housing Drives Urban and Economic Growth in Ghana and Tanzania). https://www.lse.ac.uk/geography-and-environment/assets/documents/LR-Work-Paper-for-WP1-Techiman-for-website.pdf

Technical Reports 

  1. Arthur, Isaac K., Wrigley-Asante, C., Crentsil, C., Nikoi, E., Owusu, A.B, & Baffoe, V.  (2022). Scoping study of land use stresses on urban environment in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana. The 2021/2022 Scoping Studies for the African Research Network for Urbanization and Habitable Cities (AR-NUHC) 
  2. Arthur, I. K., Agyemang, E., Crenstil, A. O., Owusu G., & Wrigley-Asante, C. (2020). A scoping study of transit-oriented development in Accra. African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA).
  3. Owusu, G. & Arthur, I. K (2016). Social Development Strategy for the Long-term National Development Plan for Ghana. National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ghana