Alhassan Ibrahim
I have a planning background, having studied MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration at the University of Cambridge (UK) and a BSc in Human Settlement Planning at the Kwame Nkruman University of Science and Technology (Ghana). I gained my PhD qualification from the University of Adelaide (Australia), where my research focused on the governance processes for implementing green infrastructure to address freshwater challenges. My thesis was entitled Governance of waterways and flood adaptation: implementing sustainable green stormwater infrastructure in Ghana. I joined the Environment and Land Group, within the Social and Geographical Sciences Group, on 1st October 2021. Currently, I am working full-time on the H2020 MERLIN project, focussing on mainstreaming aquatic nature-based solutions by working with industry and policy stakeholders at the European level.
Current research interests
I believe that societies are complex, comprising diverse layers of actors, rules, resources and discourse. Consequently, I have a passion for conscious and result-oriented research and planning that harness the opportunities in these layers and address their challenges. In line with this belief, my PhD research at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, the University of Adelaide, Australia, explored empirical case studies of green infrastructure implementation. The research aimed at understanding the governance and planning processes for implementing and managing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to address water-related challenges. Overall, I have interest in the following areas:
- Regeneration and evaluation
- Water resources governance and management
- Green infrastructure, nature-based solutions planning and management
- Policy development
I combine a range of mixed-methods to my research, leaning more towards qualitative approaches. I am experienced in:
- Interviews
- Questionnaire survey
- Document analysis
- Focus group
- Geographic information system
Past research
I have 6+ years of experience in conducting applied and empirical research in the area of water resources governance, green infrastructure planning and socio-ecological systems. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a Planning Consultant at Training, Research and Networking for Development Group in Ghana. In this role, I played a key role in many evaluations and baseline research projects across various parts of Ghana. I also have a passion for imparting knowledge to others. Consequently, have held casual tutoring positions in several subjects at both the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia, Australia.
- A. Ibrahim; K. Bartsch; E. Sharifi (2020) Green infrastructure needs green governance: Lessons from Australia's largest integrated stormwater management project, the River Torrens Linear Park, Journal of Cleaner Production
- A. Ibrahim; A. Siiba (2019) Spatial planning through the political landscape of Ghana: Examining the nexus between election manifestos and planning, Territory, Politics, Governance
