Physical Planning

Alhassan Kweku

Head of Physical Planning

The Department of Physical Planning at the Municipal level is responsible for managing and coordinating the activities of the Town and Country Planning Department and the Parks and Gardens Department. The Department ensures orderly spatial development, effective land use, and sustainable environmental management within the Municipality in line with national policies and standards.

Core Mandate and Functions

The Department performs the following key functions:

Advises the Municipal Assembly on national policies relating to physical planning, land use, and spatial development.
Coordinates the activities and projects of municipal departments, public institutions, and Non Governmental Organizations to ensure compliance with approved planning standards and regulations.
Assists in the preparation of physical development plans to guide the formulation of development policies, decision making, and the design of projects within the Municipality.
Identifies and analyzes challenges relating to land development and their social, environmental, and economic implications.
Advises on the setting out and implementation of approved plans to guide future land development at the municipal level.
Advises on the preparation of planning schemes and layouts for towns and villages within the Municipality.
Collaborates with the Survey Unit in the performance of land use planning and mapping functions.
Facilitates and participates in research activities relating to physical planning and spatial development in the Municipality.
Provides professional advice to aggrieved persons on appeals and petitions concerning decisions made on building permits and developments.
Facilitates consultation, coordination, and harmonization of development decisions into a coherent physical development plan.
Assists in the preparation of a Municipal Land Use Plan to guide development activities and investment decisions.
Advises on conditions governing the construction of public and private buildings and other structures.
Assists in providing approved layouts for buildings to promote improved housing design, settlement planning, and orderly growth.
Ensures that no new building or structure is constructed unless building plans submitted have been duly approved by the Municipal Assembly.
Advises on and facilitates the demolition of dilapidated and dangerous structures, including the recovery of costs incurred in the demolition process.
Ensures the prohibition of the use of inflammable materials in the construction or repair of buildings in designated areas.
Advises the Assembly on the siting of billboards, communication masts, and related structures, and ensures compliance with Assembly decisions.
Advises on the acquisition of landed property in the public interest in accordance with existing laws.
Undertakes street naming, house numbering, and other related addressing and spatial identification activities within the Municipality.