Drivers responsible for the transformations of family compound housing in Wa, a ghanaian secondary city

Housing transformation is crucial for addressing the changing housing needs of low-income urban households amid increasing family size and modernisation. This study aimed to unravel the logic behind transformations in family compounds and their implications for low-income housing in Wa, Ghana. The main research question to be answered is why family compounds in Wa are transforming and the implications of the transformative drivers for housing policy. Using a qualitative research approach involving interviews and focus group discussions data was collected from eleven family compounds and analysed using ATLAS.ti version 23. Drivers such as increasing family size, adherence to traditional cultural norms, and changes in taste and preferences for modern lifestyles were the main triggers of compound housing transformations in Wa. Simultaneously, economic benefits emerged as a minor factor. These drivers of transformative practices in Wa led to an increase in the supply of family-made housing, strengthened family ties and transformed old architecture for comfort and modern living. The study concludes that understanding the trajectory and logic of low-income housing necessitates addressing the influence of traditional cultural norms on housing policies and transformation processes in secondary cities.