Stephen Kofi Diko

Stephen Kofi Diko is an Assistant Professor in the School of Planning at the University of Memphis. He holds a PhD in Regional Development Planning from the University of Cincinnati, a Master of Community Planning from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Development Planning from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. His research focuses on sustainable urban development, climate change adaptation, and urban resilience in African contexts, particularly addressing challenges in informal settlements, urban flooding, and plan quality assessment.

Key research themes include climate change mainstreaming, urban informality, environmental justice, and leveraging citizen science for urban management. He has conducted extensive studies in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Angola, exploring issues such as pandemic response in informal settlements, digital governance in Accra, and smallholder farmer adaptation strategies in semi-arid regions.

His work emphasizes participatory approaches and policy integration, advocating for inclusive urban planning frameworks. Notable contributions include analyses of fire risk communication in West African markets, socio-cultural dimensions of greenspaces in Global South cities, and critiques of urban policy failures during crises. Diko collaborates with universities and organizations to advance environmental justice leadership and community empowerment initiatives.

He actively engages in interdisciplinary research, bridging planning, geography, and public health disciplines. His articles highlight systemic vulnerabilities in urban systems and propose actionable solutions for marginalized communities, reflecting a commitment to socially equitable urban futures.