Community
Context
Ghana and specifically Accra represents one of the continent's fastest growing economies and commands an international tourism scene and relocation draw to the capital city. It has a growing educated and ambitious young population and is a continent leader in the technology and import industries. These are just a few reasons why Accra is considered the Gateway city to West Africa.
The historic district of Osu lies 3 kilometers east of the central business district of Accra. It offers a variety of building stock, ranging from the compound house, low rise multifamily to office buildings. Anchored by Oxford Street, Osu exhibits robust commercial activity supplemented by social and recreational venues. The culture is vibrant and organic. The physical structure of roads and land parcels is an extension of the larger Accra central planning. However current land use patterns result in less than optimal density and usage patterns. Overall it exhibits a relative abundance of urban vegetation cover although this is subject to change with future development. The Impact Hub is headquartered in Osu and has a significant and influential presence in the neighborhood. Known as a hub of entrepreneurial activity, social and professional networking, it leads a local movement of innovation and economic growth anchored by social and cultural cohesion. Impact Hub Accra is cosponsoring this new’community reconsidered’ plan which is seen as essential toward its long term mission and Accra’s future.
Osu
Accra offers a distinct context whereby its moderate density and slower pace of development presents a unique opportunity to advance greater environmental understanding, innovation and sustainable practices in the context of Accra. With little legacy infrastructure Accra is poised to lead in the presentation and sustaining of next generation urban development. Legacy models of modern master planning— in particular western models— have not been successfully deployed nor integrated with most African cities and Accra is no exception.. The reasons are numerous, however the most revealing is the cost to finance and build these proposals. To counteract the investment and finance challenges and to leverage circular economic opportunity, the proposed development model seeks a usage rate of 65% and higher of repurposed materials. This goal effectively and strategically reduces material and construction costs, while playing an important role in international material waste reduction and critical material repurposing.
The strategy aligns with and enhances Impact Hub’s goal of housing 100,000 young people in alternative housing forms across Accra in15 years.