Global Connections
Featured From Global Ambitions to Local Realities: The Correlation Between SDGs Localization and Socio-economic Development in Ghana
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mark Akrofi
The SDGs, adopted globally in 2015, necessitate localization where national and sub-national entities adapt and integrate these goals to address socioeconomic and environmental issues in different contexts. This research examines how local governments in Ghana integrate the SDGs into their Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) and assesses the association between these localized efforts and key socio-economic development outcomes. By analyzing the MTDPs of 138 local governments across 14 regions, the research finds that 78% of the 169 SDGs targets have been localized in Ghana. Nonetheless, goals related to climate action and environmental sustainability, show less localization, indicating a need for targeted interventions. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong association between localized SDGs and improved socio-economic outcomes, particularly in areas of healthcare access, education, energy access, and poverty reduction. The study highlights the potential of SDGs localization to drive sustainable development and underscores the importance of empowering local governments in tailoring global goals to local contexts. The study's insights contribute to the broader discourse on SDGs localization, offering valuable lessons for similar initiatives in other sub-Saharan African countries.
Sustainability in Adaptive Reuse Projects for Cultural Tourism Development: Traditional Buildings as Tourist Accommodations
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Sahba Tavakoli
The contemporary challenges of climate change, globalization, and other factors threaten natural and built environments. There is a growing number of tourists seeking unique experiences, leading to an increase in adaptive reuse projects for cultural tourism development. However, this trend faces specific challenges. Balancing the preservation of a building's authenticity and values with the needs of modern tourists is a delicate task. Additionally, ensuring the environmental sustainability of such projects is a significant challenge. Adhering to the criteria set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) can help avoid unsustainable development practices. This paper is divided into three main sections. The first section focuses on the authenticity and sustainability aspects of traditional buildings. The second section provides an overview of the ICOMOS criteria for sustainable conservation and adaptive reuse and the criteria set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for hotels. Lastly, the third section analyzes the reuse of a traditional house as tourist accommodation, recognized with a prestigious architecture award. The results of this analysis underscore the lessons and priorities for preventing the failure of such projects, specifically in developing countries.
