ATONSU

RESIDENTIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

URBAN SURVEY

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE ONE, 2018

 OUR TEAM

01 02 03 04

ISAAC EGYIR KWOFIE MARIAN ISSAH GIFTY FOSUAA-POKU MICHAEL K. D. AMUAH

05 06 07 08

SAMUEL K. ARKORFUL MICHELLE O. AKUFFO PRINCE COBBINAH ADEVU MAKAFUI

 OUR TEAM

09 10 11 12

ERIC GOKA EMMA AKOFA HARVOH BILAL ABDUL AZIZ SARBAH WENDY NYADUA AFARI

13

KINGSFORD OWUSU GYAATENG

 TABLE OF CONTENT

Objectives Location of Atonsu Demographics of Atonsu

To enlighten readers on the position of To enlighten readers on the position of This is to know the average household
Atonsu in Kumasi, Ghana Atonsu in Kumasi, Ghana sizes, migration status and the population
dynamics of the town

Methodology Description of Atonsu Settlement Forms

To know the function and type of This explains the various settlement
This is the various steps employed in
settlement Atonsu is. forms and classifies Atonsu’s settlement
the study of Atonsu
into these forms

Definitions of Words Landmarks Residential Buildings

This is to enlighten readers on some of To help one navigate their way These slides show the various residential
the words they will come across in the around the town buildings in Atonsu and some statistics
presentation.
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Drainage and Waste Disposal

Building Typology This is how drainages and waste are
The various building typologies in the handled in the settlement
settlement with statistics and observations

Legibility and Permeability

Building Heights These slides show how the settlement is
The various building height with legible based on responsive environment
statistics and observations

Roof Types Recreational and Conclusions

The various roof types with their These slides show recreational areas
statistics and observations and observations.
 OBJECTIVES

AIM
• To establish the character of ATONSU
to help student understand
to analyse the influence the trend of development in
of development on the a settlement
physical environment
4 expose students to a variety

to analyse the building 2 to understand the relationship

of architectural and planning
problems within the urban
style and patterns in the between man and the context
area. environment

1 3 5
 METHODOLOGY

PLAN PLAN PLAN PLAN

1 2 3 4
PICTURES OBSERVATIONS MEASUREMENT INTERVIEWS
 DEFINITIONS

01 ALandmarks
notable location/recognizable man-made 05 Methodology
A collection of methods, practices,
feature with historical, cultural, or geographical procedures and rules used by those who
significance. work in some field.

02 Architectural Character
Refers to all the visual aspects(physical features ) that 06 Settlement Pattern
comprise/constitute the appearance of a building and it A Settlement pattern means the shape of
is a distinctive character that makes a building unique. a settlement.

03 Recreation
Any activity that occurs during leisure such as play,
07 AResidential Buildings
building where more than half of the
that amuses, diverts or stimulates. floor area is used for dwelling purposes.

04 Population Dynamics 08 Mixed Use Buildings

Is a type of urban development that blends
Is the study of how and why population changes in residential, commercial, cultural, institutional,
size and structure over time. or entertainment uses.
 LOCATION OF ATONSU

WORLD MAP
Showing the location
of Ghana in Africa
ATONSU is located on
Latitude 6.6500 ( Latitude
(DMS) 6°39’0N)
and Longitude -1.6000
(Long (DMS) 1°36’0W).
Area : 38.428km²
In addition, the town is
located south of KNUST,
driving through the Ahinsan
gate around the Gusss hostel. MAP 8.1: THE EXTENT OF THE STUDY AREA
 DESCRIPTION OF ATONSU(www.slideshare.net)

SHAPE OF ATONSU.
• The predominant road network is grid network.
• This organises the settlement in a linear pattern
majorly.
• The grid network is corrected to form T-junctions to
prevent over speeding and long walking paths within
the settlement.
• Other forms of settlement patterns recorded were
clustered and dispersed.
FUNCTION OF ATONSU.
• The settlement is mainly for residential purposes.
• The major roads within Atonsu has caused a boost of
commercial activities.
• The agricultural aspects of the settlement are limited
to the individual plots, mostly to establish boundaries.
• A number of industries were also found within the
area of study.
• In effect it can be concluded that the land use of
Atonsu is varied.
FIG. 9.1: THE EXTENT OF THE STUDY AREA
 DESCRIPTION OF ATONSU
SITE AND SITUATION OF ATONSU KOTEI
ASOKWA
• A number of flat wetlands were observed
and this could be attributed to the river that
runs from West to East within the settlement.
• The site slopes steeply at some point and
falls gently for a long stretch.
• The main roads within Atonsu lead to
Asokwa to the west, South East to Lake HIGHEST POINT
Bosomtwe and North East to Kotei. LOWEST POINT

LAKE BOSOMTWE

FIG 10.1: SECTION SHOWING SLOPE OF ATONSU MAP 10.2: THE EXTENT OF THE STUDY AREA
 GROWTH TRENDS OF ATONSU
Atonsu - 2001 Atonsu - 2004 Atonsu - 2012
Open Spaces = 93.03km² Open Spaces = 14.73km² Open Spaces = 6.22km²
Green Spaces = 403.03km² Green Spaces = 430.57km² Green Spaces =24.56km²
Built-Up Area = 803.08km² Built-Up Area = 829.19km² Built-Up Area = 1049km²

Atonsu - 2016 Open Spaces = 4.87km²

Atonsu - 2018
Open Spaces = 2.90km²
Green Spaces = 20.48km² Green Spaces = 16.80km²
Built-Up Area = 1068km² Built-Up Area = 1068km²
 LINE CHART
DESCRIPTION
100 • The built up areas of the study area exponentially increased over the
years recorded between the years 2001 to 2018 due to the population
growth of the area.
80
• The open spaces had the highest percentage recorded in the year 2001
PERCENTAGES

and then significantly dwindled in area in the year 2004. The area of
60 open spaces continued to decrease over the years to presently.

• The green spaces significantly increased in area comparison between the

40 year 2001 to 2004 and then decreased in area between 2004 and
2012 and gradually reduced in area over the years to present 2018.

20

2001 2004 2012 2016 2018

YEARS
BUILT-UP AREA OPEN SPACES GREEN SPACES
 TIMELINE SLIDE
• Commercial activities started springing up
along the path and edges.
• Emergence of modern trends of buildings
• Development around the Nodes are getting
congested
• There is a rise in commercial activities
• Redevelopment within the area has increased
• The green and open spaces have been
reduced to small patches within the settlement

2001 2012 2018

2004
• The low development especially around
the Chirapatre extension.
• The town was Legible due to the low
density of people and buildings.
• Congestion wasn’t a problem
2016
• Vegetation within the settlement is now
restricted to individual plots and a few
• Redevelopment of the Atonsu abandoned plots
Agogo market • Redevelopment is very common
• New buildings eating up green • The development of storey buildings has
and open spaces increased.
 LAND USE ANALYSIS

Fig. 14.3

Fig. 14.1

Fig. 14.2
ATONSU AGOGO NEW MARKET LANDMARKS
The Atonsu market is located on lat
6°39 18.46’’ and longitude 1°35’
25.8’’ west and close to chirapatre.
It serves the Atonsu community,
Gyinaase, Ahinsan and its environs.
UNITY OIL
Unity Oil is located alongside lake FIG. 15.1: ATONSO MARKET
road opposite St. Martins De
Porres Catholic Church. It serves
the people of Atonsu and near by
communities as well as moving
vehicles.
KUMASI SOUTH HOSPITAL
Kumasi South Hospital is located at FIG. 15.2: UNITY OIL/ EVENT
Chirapatre Atonsu in Kumasi on CENTRE
6.65° latitude and -1.58
longitude. It provides health care
services to neighboring
communities including Chirapatre,
south suntreso amongst others. FIG. 15.3: KUMASI SOUTH
HOSPITAL MAP. 11.1: THE EXTENT OF THE STUDY AREA
 DEMOGRAPHICS OF ATONSU
Total population of Atonsu - 269,856.00 Total of Residential Buildings Surveyed -
Population of the study area – 8,379.00 1567.00
HOUSEHOLD SIZES POPULATION DYNAMICS
NO PERCENTAGES AGE PERCENTAGES
1 17% OBSERVATION 0-14 38.3%
• The population of the
2 1.4% town is expanding. 15-24 21.8%
• The town has a large
3 9.3% 25-54 31.2%
youthful population.
4 13.5% • There is a low
55-64 4%
dependency ratio per
5 58.1% the statistics. 65+ 4.7%

MIGRATION STATUS HOUSE OWNERSHIP FAMILY SIZES

73.4% 26.6% 56.3% 43.7% 70% 30%

NATIVES MIGRANTS SELF OWNED RENTED NUCLEAR FAMILY EXTENDED FAMILY

 SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN ATONSU
(geography.parkfieldprimary.com/the-united-kingdom/settlement-patterns.)

WHAT ARE SETTLEMENT PATTERNS ?

A SETTLEMENT PATTERN means
the shape of a settlement.
(geography.parkfieldprimary.com/the-united-kingdom/settlement-
patterns).

• The form of settlement in any

particular region reflects man’s FIG. 17.1: NUCLEATED SETTLEMENT

relationship with his

environment.
• The development and growth
of settlement also depends
upon the religious and social
customs of the society. FIG. 17.2: LINEAR SETTLEMENT

TYPES OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

01. Nucleated/ Clustered pattern
02. Linear settlement pattern
03. Dispersed/ Scattered settlement
FIG. 17.3: DISPERSED SETTLEMENT
MAP 13.1: SHOWING THE VARIOUS SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN ATONSU
 TYPES OF SETTLEMENT
01. LINEAR PATTERN
Buildings are arranged in a line usually
along presence of a transport line e.g.
road or railway.

02.DISPERSED/SCATTERED SETTLEMENT
Buildings are scattered therefore vast
land is available to build whenever they
want.

03. NUCLEATED/CLUSTERED.
Buildings are close to each other for
reasons such as:
Security concern especially in banditry
prone areas.
Availability of social amenities such as
schools and health care
FIG. 18.1: LINEAR FIG. 18.2: DISPERSED FIG. 18.3: NUCLEATED FIG. 18.4: PLANNED
(peda.net/Kenya/css/subjects/geography/statistical-methods/map-work/tosp). SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT SETTLEMENT
 TYPES OF SETTLEMENT
LINEAR PATTERN

FIG. 19.1: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF LINEAR SETTLEMENT IN ATONSU

FIG. 19.2: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF A ROAD IN A LINEAR SETTLEMENT

MAP 19.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF LINEAR SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN ATONSU
 TYPES OF SETTLEMENT
SETTLEMENT PLANNING BENEFITS ON ATONSU
FIG. 20.1: LINEAR SETTLEMENT
Fig. 20.2
Fig. 20.3
VARIOUS ACCESS WITHIN THE DISTRICT
The linear pattern settlement
planning of the various residential
areas within Atonsu is linked with
well-planned grid road systems which
allows the operations of tro-tro buses
and taxis
VEHICULAR CIRCULATION
Developments along the main high
way and most particularly along the
link roads connecting the various
residential zones; tro-tro queue, load
and offload passengers and goods,
account for the constant increase of
traffic congestion problems along the
main principal street during peak
hours.
Fig. 20.4 PEDESTRIAN ACCESSES
 TYPES OF SETTLEMENT
NUCLEATED/CLUSTERED PATTERN

FIG. 21.1: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF NUCLEATED SETTLEMENT IN ATONSU

FIG. 21.2: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF A PATH IN A NUCLEATED SETTLEMNT

MAP 21.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF NUCLEATED SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN ATONSU
 TYPES OF SETTLEMENT
DISPERSED/SCATTERED SETTLEMENT

FIG. 22.1: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF A DISPERSED SETTLEMENT IN ATONSU

MAP 22.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF DISPERSED SETTLEMENT IN ATONSU
 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
WHAT IS A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING? FIG. 23.1: Townhouses

A building should be regarded as a

residential building when more than
half of the floor area is used for
FIG. 23.2: Two-storey residential
dwelling purposes. (stats. oecd.org/ glossary/ detail.
asp? 10=2326 )

1. Ground–oriented residential
buildings.
Each dwelling has its own entrance
directly from the ground surface. (Egs.
Detached; Semi –detached)
FIG. 23.3: Apartment buildings
02. Other residential buildings;
comprising all residential buildings other
than ground-oriented residential
buildings.

A COMPARISM OF MODERN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO ATONSU

 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

25% 75%

MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL PURELY RESIDENTIAL

BUILDINGS BUILDINGS
These were residential buildings These were houses that were
that had part of it being used solely used as residence for
for commercial activities various families.

FIGs. 24.1: SHOWS THE CHARACTER OF MIXED USE RESIDENCES TO PURELY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

MAP 24.1: SHOWS MIXED USE RESIDENCES TO PURELY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
• Building typology of a settlement can be grouped in two
forms mainly the Function of the building and the Form.

• The function talks about the use of the structure example

hospitals, schools, shops, residential.

• The form also talks about the geometry of the structure

example linear, rectangular, circular etc.

U – SHAPE COURTYARDS LINEAR

L - SHAPE UNDEFINED SHAPE MAP 25.1: SHOWS THE VARIOUS BUILDING TYPOOLOGIES IN ATONSU
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY

55.34% 14.3% 13.53% 11.7%

LINEAR U – SHAPED UNDEFINED L-SHAPED

BUILDINGS BUILDINGS BUILDINGS BUILDINGS

OBSERVATION
4.84%
▪ Predominantly, residential buildings
in Atonsu are Linear
▪ Courtyard buildings were the least COURTYARD
recorded. BUILDINGS
▪ Also, it can be seen from the map
that the Atonsu residence is growing
towards the North-East.

MAP 26.1: SHOWS THE VARIOUS BUILDING TYPOOLOGIES IN ATONSU

 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
• The building is secured with a
fence wall within a 21m x 30m
plot size
• The building assumes a linear
shape and has a 1.5m
FIG. 27.1: SHOWS A LINEAR BUILDING
projection for the porch
• The building has no proper
drainage system.
• The courtyard is used for many
household activities such as
drying clothes and pounding
FIG. 27.2: SHOWS A COURTYARD BUIILDING fufu.
• The roof of the building is a
combination of a mono-pitch
and a parapet roof which are
not on the same level.
• This is a typical linear house plan
found in the area with addition
of another linear form to achieve
FIG. 27.3: SHOWS AN L-SHAPED BUILDING
MAP 27.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF BUILDING TYPOOLOGIES IN ATONSU the l-shape.
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
CASE STUDY OF A TYPICAL COURTYARD BUILDING
The building has been in existence
for seventy years. It’s occupants are
one extended family and are forty
people in total.
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
• The spaces are arranged to form a FIG. 28.1: SHOWS COURTYARD BUIILDING

courtyard. courtyard

• It has a Dutch Hip roof.

• The wall openings in the building are
controlled with Jalousie windows
and wooden door panels.
FIG. 28.2: SHOWS THE FRONT OF A COURTYARD BUIILDING

OBSERVATIONS
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
• The building has no proper drainage
system.
• The courtyard is used for many
household activities such as drying
clothes and pounding fufu.
FIG. 28.3: SHOWS THE FUNCTION OF THE COURTYARD
SECTION A-A
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
CASE STUDY OF A LINEAR BUILDING
OBSERVATIONS
• The building has a Dutch hip roof
with seamless aluminum long span
• The building envelope is made of
cement blockwork
• The windows are made of glass louvres
FIG. 29.1: SHOWS THE FRONT OF A LINEAR BUIILDING
• The building is secured with a fence wall
within a 21m x 30m plot size
• The floor finish for the primary and
secondary spaces are porcelain tiles
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
• And the sanitary areas have floor
finishes of non-slip tiles
• The building assumes a linear FIG. 29.2: SHOWS THE BUILDING FENCE

shape and has a projection for

the porch.
• There are 25mm rain gutter pipes that
collect water into an underground
reservoir FIG. 29.3: SHOWS THE ROOF AND DRAINAGE SECTION A-A
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
CASE STUDY OF AN L-SHAPED BUILDING
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
• This is a typical linear house plan
found in the area with addition of
another linear form to achieve the
L-shape.
• The roof of the building is a
combination of a mono-pitch and a
parapet roof which are not on the
FIG. 30.1: SHOWS THE COMPOUND OF AN L-SHAPED BUILDING
same level.
• There’s the use of verandas as LEGEND
intermediary space between the - BEDROOM
courtyard and the various rooms. - WASHROOM
• The openings ; doors and windows - STOREOOM
are the typical jalousie windows - KITCHEN
and panel doors that are protected
- SEPTIC TANK
by the use of trap doors.
FIG. 30.2: SHOWS THE PATH INFRONT OF THE L-SHAPED BUILDING

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
OBSERVATIONS
• The courtyard is the main space
for most domestic activities
including washing and cooking.

• The gradient of the courtyard is

such that surface water runs off
easily to the front of the house.

• There are no soft landscaped FIG. 31.1: SHOWS THE COMPOUND OF AN L-SHAPED BUILDING
areas in the court yard with the
exception two trees. LEGEND
- BEDROOM
- WASHROOM
• The septic tanks is located at the
highest level on the compound - STOREOOM
which can lead to drainage - KITCHEN
problems - SEPTIC TANK
FIG. 31.2: SHOWS THE PATH INFRONT OF THE L-SHAPED BUILDING
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

• This is a typical linear house plan found

in the area with addition of another
linear form to achieve complete
courtyard.
• The roof of the building is a mono-pitch
which slopes to the periphery of the
compound
• There’s the use of corridors/ verandahs
as intermediary space between the
FIG. 32.1: SHOWS THE COMPOUND OF A COMPLETE COURTYARD
courtyard and some the various rooms.
• The openings ; doors and windows are LEGEND
the typical jalousie windows and panel - BEDROOM
doors that a protected by the use of - WASHROOM
trap doors.
- STOREOOM

• Use of trees as a means of shading the - STORE/SHOP

courtyard. - KITCHEN
FIG. 32.2: SHOWS THE
COURTYARD - SEPTIC TANK
 BUILDING TYPOLOGY
OBSERVATIONS
• The courtyard is the main is the main
space for most domestic activities
including washing and cooking.

• The gradient of the court yard is such

that that surface water runs off easily
to the front of the house.

• There is a soft landscaped areas in the FIG. 33.1: SHOWS THE COMPOUND OF A COMPLETE COURTYARD

court yard with two trees. LEGEND

- BEDROOM
• The internal washroom as part of the
house has been converted to a - WASHROOM

storeroom meaning there’s the need for - STOREOOM

an external one. - STORE/SHOP
- KITCHEN
FIG. 33.2: SHOWS THE
COURTYARD - SEPTIC TANK
 BUILDING HEIGHT
BUILDING HEIGHT
▪ It’s a vertical distance above a reference datum
measured to the highest point of a building.
centralpt.com/upload/375/4785building.
▪ In a settlement, people build more than a storey
due to factors like scarcity of land in a
particular location or population increase FIG. 34.1: SHOWS A SINGLE AND TWO STOREY BUIILDING

▪ The height of buildings has a direct visual

and physical influence on how a space or
place looks and feels (Tweed shared council, 2014).

▪ Building height can reinforce an area’s

character or relate to community aspirations for
FIG. 34.2: SHOWS A THREE STOREY BUIILDING
an area’s future character. Appropriate building 1 STOREY
height is derived from local context, street 2 STOREY
conditions, visual amenity, key view fields and 3 STOREY
character objectives for an area (Tweed shared
council, 2014). 4 STOREY

MAP 34.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION VARIOUS BUILDING HEIGHTS IN ATONSU

FIG. 34.3: SHOWS A FOUR STOREY BUILDING
 BUILDING HEIGHT

82.13% 13.40% 3.45% 1.2%

1 STOREY 2 STOREY 3 STOREY 4 AND ABOVE

STOREY
▪ Predominantly, buildings in Atonsu are
single storey.

▪ From the map it can be seen that the

buildings along the main road have double
volumes.
FIG. 35.2: SHOWS A TWO STOREY BUIILDING

▪ It can therefore be said that the kind of

activities taking place along these places
have influenced the choice of building
heights in the settlement.

FIG. 35.3: SHOWS A THREE STOREY BUILDING MAP 35.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION VARIOUS BUILDING HEIGHTS IN ATONSU
 ROOF TYPES
▪ A roof is a part of a building that provides protection
from the weather, animals and also adds to the aesthetics
of a structure.
▪ It shows the distinctive feature of a settlement, reflects the
pattern of wealth within the settlement and also shows the
trend of buildings over a period of time.

GABLE ROOF DUTCH HIP ROOF

MONO-PITCH ROOF HIP ROOF

FIGs. 36.1: SHOWS A REPRESENTATION OF THE VARIOUS ROOF TYPES IN ATONSU MAP 36.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION VARIOUS ROOF TYPES IN ATONSU
 ROOF TYPES

39.79% 17.93% 17.85% 11.09%

HIP ROOF GABLE ROOF PARAPET ROOF MONO-PITCH

ROOF
• Predominantly the roof type recorded is
hip roof with the least one being flat
6.75% roofs.
• The older buildings had the Dutch roof
type and the new buildings have the hip
DUTCH HIP ROOF and the sometimes Dutch as well.

MAP 37.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION VARIOUS ROOF TYPES IN ATONSU

 BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDING MATERIALS ROOF MATERIALS

TYPES PERCENTAGES TYPES PERCENTAGES

BLOCKWORK 85% ALUMINIUM 91%

MUD 3% CONCRETE SLAB 7%

TIMBER 9% SLATE 3%
BRICK 2%
OBSERVATIONS
STONE 1%
• The timber structures were mostly out houses for
store, kitchens and washrooms
WINDOW TYPES
TYPES PERCENTAGES • Some of blockwork used timber structures to
LOUVRES 69% enclose verandahs
• The concrete slabs were mostly used as
JALOUSIE 17% improvised for uncompleted buildings still going
a floor up or more
GLASS 12% • The other windows recorded were honeycomb
OTHERS 2% and mesh covered openings
 BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
(www.passhe.edu/inside /anf/fac/documents/facilities% 20 Manual/Tab-6d/.pdf2 Assetinsights.net.)

VERY GOOD
CONDITION SCALE / GRADE
1. The facility is typically new or recently
A method for ranking the relative rehabilitated.
condition of each asset (building).
• Physical Condition 2. A few elements show general signs of
• Demand Condition deterioration that require attention.
• Functional Condition
3. Facilities meet modern standards for
❑ 5 point condition grades functionality and are resilient to withstand
developed by CIRC (Canadian most disasters and severe weather events.
Infrastructure Report Cord) to
express degree of physical 4. Suitable for continued use with normal
condition and ASCE (American maintenance.
Society of Civil Engineers)

• Very Good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor MAP. 39.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF A
BUILDING IN VERY GOOD CONDITION
• Very Poor
FIG. 39.1: SHOWS A BUILDING IN VERY GOOD CONDITION
GOOD
BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
1. The facility has some elements that FAIR
show general signs of deterioration 1. The facility shows general signs of
that requires attention. deterioration and requires
2. A few elements exhibit significant attention
deficiencies 2. A few elements exhibit significant
3. Requires restoration to present deficiencies
acceptable standards without major 3. Requires major updating or
use changes ; alteration or modernization of the building.
modernization A BUILDING IN VERY GOOD CONDITION 4. Last major updating or
4. Last restoration to acceptable modernization was 18years to
standards was 12years to 17years. 34years.

MAP. 40.1: SHOWS THE LOCATIONS OF

BUILDINGS IN FAIR AND GOOD CONDITION

FIG. 40.1: SHOWS A BUILDING IN GOOD CONDITION FIG. 40.2: SHOWS A BUILDING IN FAIR CONDITION
 BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
VERY POOR
POOR
1. The facility is in unacceptable
1. The facility is mostly below
condition with widespread signs
standard with many elements
of advanced deterioration.
approaching the end of their
2. Many components in the system
service life.
exhibit imminent failure.
2. A large portion exhibit significant
3. Should be demolished or
deterioration
abandoned because the building
3. Requires major remodeling.
is unsafe, structurally unsound
4. Last major remodeling was greater
form not cost effective to
then 34years.
remodel.

MAP. 41.1: SHOWS THE LOCATIONS OF BUILDINGS IN

POOR AND VERY POOR CONDITION
FIG. 41.1: SHOWS A BUILDING IN A POOR CONDITION FIG. 41.2: SHOWS A BUILDING IN A VERY POOR CONDITION
 BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
NO. PERCENTAGES

VERY POOR 0.25%

POOR 10.28%

FAIR 26.14%

GOOD 36.68%

VERY GOOD 9.5%

OBSERVATIONS
• New developments within the area is gradually
changing the look of Atonsu

• Poor and very poor conditions were recorded around

the market. MAP. 42.1: SHOWING BUILDING CONDITIONS IN ATONSU
 DRAINAGE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
In Ghana, the government started
privatizing Solid Waste Collection
(SWC) in order to meet the collection
demand of the enormous waste being
generated. The privatization is
believed to have taken place in the FIG. 43.1: SHOWS A MAN USING THE WASTE BIN

mid 1990s (Baud and Post, 2002).

In Atonsu, the solid waste are kept in

plastic bins and kept in front of various
homes for the private waste collectors
to come for them for a fee.
Also, drainages have been laid around FIG. 43.2: SHOWS A WASTE DISPOSAL SITE

residences to carry liquid waste into

the Susan river. Some of these drains
were constructed with concrete and
have covets to cover them.
FIG. 43.3: SHOWS AN OPEN DRAIN WITHIN
THE RESIDENTIAL ENCLAVE MAP 43.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE FIGURES IN ATONSU
 LEGIBILTY ANALYSIS OF ATONSU
(Responsive Environment – Bentley et. al.,1985)

PERMEABILITY: The number of alternative ways

through an environment.
LEGIBILITY: How easily people can understand its
layout. The point of a legible layout is that people
are able to form clear; accurate images of it.
• Nodes • Paths • Landmarks
• Edges • Districts
NODES: Nodes are focal places; such as junctions of paths.
LANDMARKS: They are point references which most people
experience from the outside.
EDGES: They are linear elements which are either not used as
paths, or which are usually seen from positions where their path
nature is obscured.( the area between a path and a boundary).
PATHS: They are channels of movement which is mostly seen as
the most important features in their images of the city.

MAP 44.1: SHOWS THE LEGIBILITY ANALYSIS OF THE STUDY AREA

 LEGIBILTY ANALYSIS OF ATONSU
PATHS
Paths were categorized into three
(3) In terms of functions and width.

• Class A – Width-8m FIG. 45.1: SHOWS A CLASS A PATH THAT PASSES THROUGH
Function: Serves as the main road THE TOWN

that connects Atonsu to its

surrounding towns.

• Class B - Width: 6.8m

Function: Serves as the link
between the main road and the FIG. 45.2: SHOWS A CLASS B PATH WITHIN THE
RESIDENTIAL ENCLAVE
residential districts.

• Class C - Width: 5.5m

Function: Connects the residential
blocks within the district.
FIG. 45.3: SHOWS A CLASS C PATH WITHIN THE
RESIDENTIAL ENCLAVE

MAP 45.1: SHOWS A CLASSIFICATION OF THE PATHS WITHIN ATONSU

 LEGIBILTY ANALYSIS OF ATONSU

FIG. 46.1: SHOWS A MAJOR NODE IN ATONSU – THE NEW

FIG. 46.4: SHOWS A MINOR NODE WITHIN THE
MARKET
RESIDENCE

FIG. 46.2: SHOWS ANOTHER MAJOR NODE IN

ATONSU – AROUND THE HOSPITAL TROTRO STATION FIG. 46.5: SHOWS A MINOR EDGE AROUND IN THE
RESIDENCE

FIG. 46.3: SHOWS A MINOR NODE WITHIN THE

RESIDENCE FIG. 46.2: SHOWS A MAJOR EDGE ALONG THE SIDES OF
THE MAIN ROAD
MAP 46.1: SHOWS THE LEGIBILITY ANALYSIS OF ATONSU
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN ATONSU

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE ONE, 2018

 RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
GAME CENTRE
It is made of timber.
It is located along a lane
within the
residential parts.
The structure is covered FIG. 48.1: SHOWS A MAJOR NODE IN ATONSU – THE NEW
MAARKET
with a mono-pitched
corrugated roof.
The space covers an area
of 2.6m X 2.6m

FIG.48 .2: SHOWS AN INTERIOR OF THE GAME

CENTRE

ELEVATIONS OF THE GAME CENTRE

FIG. 48.2: SHOWS THE FRONT ON THE GAME

CENTRE GROUND FLOOR PLAN
MAP 48.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE GAMME CENTRE
 SPORTS VIEWING CENTRE
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
• The facility is located right
on the road.
• The space has a mono-pitch
roof of aluminum roofing
material.
• The recreational space is covered
with tarpaulin this is to shade the
space from adverse weather FIG. 49.1: SHOWS THE VIEWING AREA FROM THE JUNCTION

conditions.
• The space has no floor platform

• The space covers an area of

8.8m x 6.25m

FIG. 36.2: SHOWS AN INTERIOR OF THE VIEWING AREA GROUND FLOOR PLAN
MAP 49.1: SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THE GAMME CENTRE
 CONCLUSION

1. Atonsu is heavily built up with very little spaces for recreation.

2. It is a settlement with a variety of uses but mainly residential with a few

mixed use facilities along the main road.

3. Atonsu as a settlement is not evenly distributed such that the districts close
to the market are more clustered.

4. According to Kevin Lynch, using the following criteria , image mapping,

nodes, paths, landmarks, edges, it can be concluded that Atonsu as a
settlement is not very legible.

In addition, it was realized that the people of Atonsu practice progressive

development starting with linear structures and add up as the years go-by

FIG. 48.2: SHOWS VARIOUS VIEWS IN ATONSU

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE ONE