Impact of Urbanization on Environmental Health Quality in Tamale Metropolis
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to comprehensively investigate the impact of urbanization on environmental health quality. This includes:
- Assessing the levels of air and water pollution in urban areas affected by rapid urbanization.
- Examining the extent of loss of green spaces and natural habitats due to urban expansion.
- Evaluating the implications of urbanization on human health and well-being, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and mental health.
- Identifying key factors contributing to environmental degradation in urbanized areas
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
HISTORY
The history of urbanization is also the history of civilization. From Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley and China, from Egypt to Greece and Meso-America, urbanization has always been a part of ancient culture. But it has not been uniform all over the world. Different ages have witnessed localized growth. Although it is an age old process, the ways in which it takes place and the rate with which it happens have been changing over time. There are many disagreements among scholars about exactly where, when, how, and why the first cities began. It is probable that they began independently in various parts of the world over a range of time and for somewhat different reasons. If the periodization of world history is taken into consideration, the ancient cities were mainly found in the area between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean region. The old Biblical lands, Egypt and later, Greece and Rome had a large number of cities, some of them big enough to be called a metropolis. The first cities were mainly the seats of political power. Whether it was the city states of Greece, the walled city of Babylon or the ornate cities of Egypt, urbanization became the product of the concentration of power. Administration together with religious control and military power emanated from these early cities. With the second phase of city growth commerce and trade became more important. This was due to the generation of more and more surplus with better technology and improved communication. The larger cities became trading centers not only for the immediate region but also for the lands away. Pataliputra, Taxila, Rome and Constantinople were such international cities. The medieval urbanization of Europe initially suffered a setback with the fall of Rome. The new cities that emerged were different from the ancient ones. The urban community now was mainly composed of merchants and artisans. With the changing socio-economic organization and with improved technology the city structure also changed to a great extent. There emerged guilds and cooperative associations and trade was enhanced with goods coming in from hitherto unknown places. The Renaissance brought about the rise of cities like Naples, Florence and Venice and the growth of the ports of Antwerp, Lisbon and Amsterdam. The Renaissance movement allowed the fine arts to flourish in the cities and it was then that the idea of urban culture took shape. Consequently, the major shift in social values turned man’s attention to the things of this world and freed man’s intellect from its medieval outlook. The spirit of enquiry generated by the Renaissance stimulated science, and the philosophy of humanism spurred the understanding and well-being of man. When we analyze the advancement of urban development in Western civilization, it occurred not only in response to the technological aspects of industrialization of eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but also as a consequence of the transformation of the social structure where renaissance values contributed in building up a civilization more complex and farflung than any one that preceded it (Alexander K. C., 2020) London and Paris, the two major metropolises were also growing rapidly by this time.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in Tamale metropolis. Selected residents in Tamale metropolis form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in Tamale metropolis. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing Impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in Tamale metropolis
Summary
This study was on Impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in Tamale metropolis. Three objectives were raised which included: Assessing the levels of air and water pollution in urban areas affected by rapid urbanization, examining the extent of loss of green spaces and natural habitats due to urban expansion, evaluating the implications of urbanization on human health and well-being, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and mental health and identifying key factors contributing to environmental degradation in urbanized areas. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents in Tamale metropolis. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The study on the impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in the Tamale metropolis underscores the complex relationship between urban development and public health. Through comprehensive analysis, it has been revealed that rapid urbanization in Tamale has led to both positive and negative outcomes.
On one hand, urbanization has facilitated improved access to healthcare services and infrastructure, contributing to better health outcomes for residents. However, on the other hand, the process of urbanization has resulted in significant environmental degradation, including increased pollution levels, inadequate sanitation facilities, and challenges in waste management.
The findings highlight the urgent need for holistic urban planning strategies that prioritize environmental sustainability and public health. Measures such as improving waste management systems, promoting green spaces, enhancing access to clean water and sanitation, and implementing pollution control measures are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization on environmental health quality.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study on the impact of urbanization on environmental health quality in the Tamale metropolis, several recommendations can be proposed to address the identified challenges and promote sustainable development:
- Implement comprehensive urban planning strategies that prioritize environmental sustainability and public health. This should include zoning regulations, land use planning, and infrastructure development aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing environmental quality.
- Develop and implement effective waste management systems to address the growing waste generation in urban areas. This may involve establishing recycling programs, promoting composting, and investing in modern waste treatment facilities.
- Upgrade sanitation infrastructure to ensure access to clean and safe sanitation facilities for all residents. This includes the provision of public toilets, sewage treatment plants, and wastewater management systems.
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