Development studies is a multidisciplinary subject that focuses on the evolution of nations from political, cultural, geographical, and socio-economic perspectives
PhD Development Studies (Part Time – 5 Years) Degree.
PhD Programmes (Full-Time) are of Four (4) Calendar Years and (PartTime) are of Five (5) Calendar Years duration.
PhD Development Studies (Part Time – 5 Years) At KNUST Entry Requirement.
a. Applicants who did not write a thesis at the Master’s level need not
apply to any of the above listed PhD programmes.
b. Applicants for PhD (Development Studies) must hold a good Master
of Philosophy degree in related disciplines or a relevant Master’s
degree from recognised universities. A good master’s degree in the
following programmes is required for admission into the programme:
Planning, Development Studies, Integrated Development Studies,
Geography, Environmental Studies, Social Studies, Sociology Land
Economy, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, Economics,
Civil Engineering and any other relevant programmes. Applicants with post-graduation experience in industry and proven
research backgrounds in publications in reputable journals have added
advantage.
e. All applicants must pass through a competitive interview. Applicants
are encouraged to discuss their research proposals with a potential
supervisor prior to submitting their applications. Applicants must copy
the postgraduate director of such correspondence using the email
address: planningpgsch@knust.edu.gh. These research proposals must
fall within the four (4) research clustered outlined below.
i. Sustainable Transport and Future Urban Spaces Cluster
This research cluster focuses on promoting and advancing the efficient
planning and delivery of transport and land use services within the urban
environments focusing on Ghanaian and other African cities through the use of spatially integrated information and communication technology,
emerging planning techniques, and smart cities model. A sustainable future
urban space requires investments in human and social capital and
transformation in transport system, and land use (spatial) planning to
promote spatially integrated, socio-economic advancement and
environmental protection in the anthropocene. The research focuses on the
following areas: Urban mobility; Urbanisation; Land use/spatial planning; Transport infrastructure and services; Transport and road safety; Traffic segregation and urban development; Contestations and management of urban environments; Intermediate mode of transport; Transport affordability and access; Transport terminal development; Intelligent transport system; Public transport system.
ii. Social and Economic Resilience Cluster
This cluster serves to document, analyse and test effective practices in urban resilience in terms of social infrastructure and services accessibility, and economic development, paying special attention to urban sustainable
infrastructure services and economic measures, which are critical in
improving accessibility for, and wellbeing of, urban dwellers, particularly
among the urban poor. The cluster will create evidence based on practical
knowledge developed through research and stakeholders and communities
for a paradigm shift in urban planning, encouraging improved and
sustainable infrastructure provision and service delivery, and resilient local
economy. Areas of research focus include:
Water and sanitation sustainability; Housing supply; Resilient cities
through the smart social service delivery; Sustainable economic
development; Quality of life index and analysis; Infrastructure planning;
Heath and education systems; Urban agriculture.
iii Governance, Social Justice and Inequality Cluster
This cluster focuses on analysing and promoting effective governance
models, processes and tools to deliver sustainable urban development in line with current global trends (e.g., Sustainable Development Goals). The
cluster aims to create an evidence base of practical knowledge and expertise involved in researching and delivering urban governance, alongside evaluation of such practices, to enable impact on education and policy, gender and empowerment, and inequality and poverty. The cluster has the aim to deliver more inclusive, participatory and effective governance, particularly in relation to the three universal trends of: gender and empowerment; poverty dynamics and inequality; and social justice. Areas of research focus includ,Politics and planning; Participatory urbanism to empower citizen,Fostering partnerships and empowering women; urban safety and security,Prevention of urban violence, urban conflict and peace-building; Land governance, Decentralisation; Poverty, Vulnerability and Social inclusion; Community participation in urban planning.
iv. Climate Transformation and Environmental Sustainability
Cluster
This cluster brings together researchers and practitioners interested in how
planning and experience shape contemporary climate transformation
responses and environmental sustainability regimes. It focuses on
understanding the relationship between people and their environments in
this era of climate change. At the core of this interest is the desire to
understand the complexities of people-place relationships. Specifically,
members of this cluster conduct research on aspects of the relationship
between people and their environments which have the potential to benefit
the communities. Our research engages with contemporary dilemmas in
environmental and climate planning, around issues of:
Urban greenery; Natural resource management; Tourism studies; Reusing,
recycling, regenerating materials, producing and using renewable
energies; Regenerating the cultural heritage/landscape of cities; Waste
management; Climate change adaptation; Natural disasters and climate
change; Flood management.
a. Upon admission, all students shall undertake a year’s course work
which they are expected to pass and obtained a CWA of 55 or above.
b. Having passed all course work and with a CWA of 55 or above, all
PhD students are required to take and pass a comprehensive
examination administered by the Department.
c. PhD Candidates shall attend weekly Research Seminars and meet
certain benchmarks set by the Department.
d. All applicants who are currently working or those actively seeking
for employment must not apply into the fill time
PROGRAMME. Such applicants must apply to the Part-Time
programmes.