Thesis proposal: A NEW PARADIGM DESIGN OF COMMERCIAL CENTRE IN TEMA, GHANA.

By: Kwasi Ofei Ackonor

A commercial center is a group of retail and other commercial establishments

that are planned, developed, owned and managed as a single property with a provision of an-

on site parking space. Basically, there are three types of commercial centre design approaches.

These are the malls which are enclosed, climate-controlled, lighted and flanked by shop fronts

on one or both entrance; the open air or strip centre (traditional market place) which is a linear

form with shops side by side and hybrid centres which combine elements from the two main

types of commercial centres.

The mall or the shopping centre is patronised much more in the western world

especially in Europe and America. Recently Africa, specifically Ghana, has seen the entry of such

facilities namely the Accra mall and Makola shopping malls which harbour supermarkets, food

courts, grocery shops and stalls.

In Ghana, the most prominent type of commercial centre is the traditional

market place which has seen no improvements over the years. It is normally made up of a strip

line of stalls, table top sale points and a lot of mini shops which are disconnected and

individually managed. Hence, the whole scenario results in a disorganized establishment which

produces filth, traffic and pedestrian congestion, heat and eventually a stressful shopping

environment.

This thesis proposal seeks to add another dimension to the design of model

commercial centres by researching on the major social needs such as recreation which will make the
new commercial centre unique, fun-to-patronise and addressing primarily the needs of a particular

community. Though the design of the commercial centre will be adaptable to most communities,

researched commercial needs and ideologies peculiar to the resident community will be incorporated

into the design to create a unique and new paradigm of commercial centre.