Michael Ayertey Nanor
Department of PlanningSocial SciencesPhysical SciencesLife SciencesHealth Sciences

Michael Ayertey Nanor

19 Publications12 Research Themes7 Open Access
Research Overview & Focus

The researcher's work encompasses a comprehensive exploration of human behavior, societal structures, environmental impacts, legal frameworks, urban policies, and their effects on job satisfaction. This interdisciplinary approach spans various fields such as psychological well-being, urban transport accessibility, environmental education sustainability, land rights, flood risk management, urban development challenges, nursing methodologies, place attachment, urban logistics, and education systems with policy implications.

Faculty Biography

Michael Ayertey Nanor is a Development and Spatial Economist with a robust academic foundation and extensive research experience in the fields of Development Economics, Spatial Economics, Data Science and the Economics of Sustainable Development. Dr. Nanor earned his Bachelor of Education in Social Sciences with a specialization in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He further advanced his studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he obtained a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree in Economics and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Development Studies.Michael’s research portfolio is characterized by a focus on key areas within Development Economics, particularly the exploration of strategies for sustainable development, the measurement and analysis of Quality of Life, and the spatial dimensions of economic phenomena. His academic strength is particularly pronounced in Development Economics and Spatial Econometrics, where he leverages the power of Python and R to perform sophisticated spatial analyses. Michael’s expertise in this area allows him to explore complex relationships across spatial data, providing nuanced insights into economic patterns that traditional econometric methods might overlook.In Spatial Econometrics, Michael’s uses Python and R to develop and implement models that account for spatial dependence and heterogeneity in economic data. His area of strength includes the application of advanced spatial regression techniques, spatial autocorrelation analyses, and the integration of machine learning methods to enhance the predictive accuracy of economics and spatial models. The use of these programming languages allows him to manage and analyze large datasets efficiently, ensuring that his research outputs are both rigorous and highly relevant to current economic challenges.Beyond spatial econometrics, Dr. Nanor’s academic strength also Spatial Data Science with the integration of GIS, where he utilizes Geographic Information Systems to analyze spatial data, contributing to a deeper understanding of spatial patterns in economic development. His proficiency in Machine Learning further enhances his ability to incorporate predictive analytics and data-driven decision-making into his research.Michael’s considerable experience in quantitative research methods, particularly in the use of non-parametric methods for Social Science Research, allows him to bring a rigorous analytical approach to his work.Michael is an active member of the Ghana Institution of Planning (GIP), the Ghana Geospatial Society (GGS), and the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS). Through these memberships, he continues to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in his areas of expertise, fostering collaborations that bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications in economic and spatial development.

Key Research Themes (12)
Social Sciences

Education Systems and Policy

Physical Sciences

Environmental Education and Sustainability

Physical Sciences

Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Social Sciences

Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior

Life Sciences

Land Rights and Reforms

Physical Sciences

Land Use and Ecosystem Services

Health Sciences

Nursing education and management

Social Sciences

Place Attachment and Urban Studies

Social Sciences

Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Physical Sciences

Urban and Freight Transport Logistics

Social Sciences

Urban and Rural Development Challenges

Social Sciences

Urban Transport and Accessibility

Publications (19)

Dimensions of perceived land rights and security of property in Ghana

2025Land Rights and ReformsDOI: 10.1007/s43545-025-01132-7

Understanding walking behaviour from an African context through the lenses of the theory of Planned behaviour

2025Urban Transport and AccessibilityDOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2025.04.027

Built environment of basic schools and performance outcomes in rural Ghana: learners’ voice

Open Access
2025Education Systems and PolicyDOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-00483-w

Determinants of households residential mobility decision in Kumasi Ghana

2025Urban and Rural Development ChallengesDOI: 10.1007/s10668-025-06046-1

Why are ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs) in African cities encroached on? Unveiling the encroachers' outlook

Open Access
2025Land Use and Ecosystem ServicesDOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2025.105761

Determinants of the Quality of Life of University Teachers: A Case of a Higher Education Institution in Ghana

2025Job Satisfaction and Organizational BehaviorDOI: 10.4314/just.v42i4.9

Homeowners’ perceptions on flood risk and willingness to relocate from ecologically sensitive floodplains in Kumasi, Ghana

2025Flood Risk Assessment and ManagementDOI: 10.1007/s43545-024-01037-x

Determinants of Informal Land Transactions in African Cities – a Systematic Literature Review

Open Access
2025Urban and Rural Development ChallengesDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.5225512

Built Environment of Basic Schools and Performance Outcomes in Rural Ghana: Learners’ Voice

Open Access
2024Education Systems and PolicyDOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5319381/v1

Morphological Patterns and Drivers of Urban Growth on Africa’s Wetland Landscapes: Insights from the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, Ghana

Open Access
2024Land Use and Ecosystem ServicesDOI: 10.3390/su16156372

Morphological Patterns and Drivers of Urban Growth on Africa’s Wetland Landscapes: Insights from the Densu Delta Ramsar Site, Ghana

Open Access
2024Urban and Rural Development ChallengesDOI: 10.20944/preprints202406.0742.v1

The determinants of citizens’ perceptions of land security and property rights in Nigeria

2024Land Rights and ReformsDOI: 10.1007/s43545-024-00876-y

The contribution of cargo tricycles to the urban economy of Ghanaian cities; A case study of greater Kumasi metropolitan area

2024Urban and Freight Transport LogisticsDOI: 10.1016/j.aftran.2024.100005

Shades of informality: taxonomy and operational characteristics of informal economic activities in central Kumasi, Ghana

2023Urban and Rural Development ChallengesDOI: 10.1080/19376812.2023.2214796

Unlocking Urban Delight: Unveiling the Key Factors Influencing Neighborhood Satisfaction in Greater Kumasi, Ghana

Open Access
2023Place Attachment and Urban StudiesDOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4510574

Determinants of water conservation practices among opinion leaders: evidence from Kwahu East District, Ghana

2022Environmental Education and SustainabilityDOI: 10.1080/09614524.2022.2040956

Determinants of subjective wellbeing in rural communities: Evidence from the Juaben Municipality, Ghana

2021Psychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionDOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103140

Introduction to Research Methods for Nurses and Midwives

2017Nursing education and management

An objective analysis of the relationship between quality of life and socio-economic characteristics in Kumasi, Ghana

2017Urban Transport and AccessibilityDOI: 10.1007/s10708-017-9795-6
Academic Metrics
DepartmentDepartment of Planning
Total Publications19
Research Themes12
Open Access Papers7

Department of Planning

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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