Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Accra in 2014 was 4,429,649, increasing at an average annual rate of 4% since 2000. The population of Accra in 2000 was 2,513,026, increasing at an average annual rate of 7.2% since 1991, when its population was 1,307,784.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Accra in 2014 was 87,212 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 5.3% since 2000. The urban extent in 2000 was 41,241 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 12.4% since 1991, when its urban extent was 13,324 hectares.

• 1991
• 2000
• 2014

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Accra in 2014 was 72 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.6% since 2000. The built-up area density in 2000 was 78 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -5.6% since 1991 when the built-up area density was 130.49 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Accra in 2014 was 51 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1.3% since 2000. The urban extent density in 2000 was 61 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -5.2% since 1991 when the urban extent density was 98 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 29,609 hectares of built-up area was added to the Accra urban extent between 2000 and 2014. Of that added built-up area, 19% was Infill, 63% was Extension, 0% was Leapfrog, and 18% was Inclusion. A total of 22,148 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1991 and 2000. Of that added built-up area, 14% was Infill, 62% was Extension, 11% was Leapfrog, and 13% was Inclusion.

• 1991–2000
• 2000–2014

• Built-up Area
  1991
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Accra 1990-2014 expansion area was 6.59 meters, compared to 9.03 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Accra occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 14%, compared to 16% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Accra's 1990-2014 expansion was 0.82 km/km2, compared to 1.9 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Accra's 1990-2014 expansion area was 68%, compared to 96% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1991
• 2014

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Accra's 1990-2014 expansion area was 3.9 hectares, compared to 6.2 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014