Nelson N. N-yanbini is a lecturer in urban design and planning in SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), Wa, Ghana. Nelson teaches courses such as urban planning theories and models, urban planning process, planning and urban informality, and neighborhood planning studio, adopting modern technologies including the use of ArcGIS and QGIS in neighborhood design and planning. Mr. N-yanbini is a pragmatist who blends methods in teaching and research to arouse learners’ ability and interests in his subject areas. He holds an MPhil in Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Spatial Planning, both from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. Nelson is an urban/spatial planner and a resettlement specialist, who has engaged in several planning consultancies and projects in Ghana and abroad.

Before joining the SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Nelson previously worked as a Project Coordinator in water and sanitation (WASH) at Family Support Lifeline (FASUL); a Non-Governmental Organization in Ashanti and Central regions of Ghana. In this role, Nelson implemented socially diverse and intricate water and sanitation projects such as the design and installation of potable water to deprived rural and peri-urban communities. In this capacity, he diligently managed contracts and procurements, staff welfare and development while coordinating the company’s field team. Nelson has also worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant at the Department of Planning, KNUST where he actively collaborated and assisted teaching and learning activities in the department.

Nelson’s areas of research interests are climate change, urban and spatial planning, urban sustainability, eco-tourism, and land governance. He has published in leading environmental and sustainability journals and has served as a reviewer to many reputable journals. Beyond this, Nelson has collaborated with other researchers in Australia, Sweden and USA, largely in the conduct of research in environmental/sustainability science.

Selected Skills