Farming in the shadow of the city - Changes in land rights and livelihoodsin peri-urban Accra

Contending perspectives have interpreted the impact of rapid growth in peri urban areas in very different ways. One school of thought characterises per iurban growth as leading to the development of new markets and the conversi on of property rights, in such a way as to transform the local economy, lea ding to greater entrepreneurialism, higher rates of growth and improved hum an welfare. Another sees the destruction of agricultural livelihoods withou t their replacement by any alternative economic activity. This paper compar es four cases within the peri-urban periphery of Greater Accra, and assesse s the impact of the urban sprawl on them. The cases highlight the loss of l and to housing, the protection of agricultural land from urban sprawl, envi ronmental degradation and the commercialisation of peri-urban agriculture. Evidence is found for both perspectives, but considerably more for the seco nd view. Policies to mitigate the worst impacts of urbanisation are suggest ed.