The theory-practice conundrum: urban planners’ perspectives of urban inclusion and exclusion in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA)

This paper examines the theory–practice conundrum of urban inclusion and exclusion in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. Interviews with planners reveal that urban inclusion and exclusion extend beyond (non) participation to reflect competition for urban space, cultural worldviews, and cross-sectoral knowledge integration. In practice, however, the different conceptualizations of urban inclusion are undermined by political interests and limited resources. The paper calls for a shift from rhetorical commitments to urban inclusion. It advocates for inclusive planning approaches that value diverse knowledge systems and lived experiences. It also urges governments to institutionalize urban inclusion through stronger data systems and accountability mechanisms.