The use and modification of public space in urban areas is an outgrowth of cultural influences. To understand this process within the context of a colonial city, the examination of the cultural values of the imposing (colonial, British) as well as the imposed (indigenous, Ashanti) powers is necessary. Using Kumasi, Ghana as the setting and street patterns and open space as its medium, this thesis examines the cultural influences behind the imposed urban patterns the British placed on the city, and goes on to examine how some of these spaces have been adapted and changed to better suit cultural needs over time.

To understand British influences, one must look to English culture and late 19th century planning practices in England as well as concerns and issues among the colonial community. These were then manifested in the layout and design of parks, neighborhoods, streets, and other areas of the city, such as greenbelts and industrial areas. Colonial planners took familiar forms and applied them to alien setting with completely different goals in mind. Colonial urban patterns are characterized by inflexibility, narrowly defined spaces, and segregation of land uses.

Indigenous influences are perhaps harder to define, due to the paucity of historical observations and the lack of well researched indigenous "theories" on architecture and space. Ashanti design is more reflective of indigenous cultural practices and is characterized by spontaneous space formation, multi-functionality and integration with local land uses.

I see a process of modification occurring within most neighborhoods in Kumasi. Space is being altered, created, and modified in accordance with the needs and demands of the people who use and come into contact with this space everyday. Space is used for uses it was not originally intended to accommodate. This created space has varying degrees of complexity, depending on both temporal and spatial variables, and can be attributed to a number of reasons, not only reflecting the history of the city, but also larger cultural concepts, such as increasing rural to urban migration and indigenous perceptions of nature.

City planners and municipal officials must plan for, or at least allow for the spontaneous creation of public space if African urban areas are to grow and expand properly and efficiently to meet the needs of the people who inhabit them. By tapping into this potentially powerful force, spaces within cities can be more responsive, vibrant, and efficiently designed to meet the needs of the population.