Research

Dissertation Research

Urban Form and Residential Energy Dynamics: Exploring Sociospatial Patterns of the Energy Trilemma in Accra's Urban Landscape

• Institution: Cornell University
• Committee: Prof. Stephan Schmidt (Chair), Prof. Nancy Brooks, Prof. Chuan Liao
• Status: Ongoing PhD dissertation

Working Papers

1. Yakubu, H., Liao, C., and Schmidt, S. (Dec 22, 2025). Spatial Heterogeneity in Residential Energy Cultures: Evidence from Accra, Ghana. SSRN. Link.
2. Yakubu, H. (Jan 13, 2026). Bounded Energy Cultures: The Structural Role of Urban Form in Accra, Ghana. Link.

Selected Co-authored Publications

1. Mrani, R., Chenal, J., Radoine, H., and Yakubu, H. (2025). The Quiet Architecture of Informality: Negotiating Space Through Agency. Buildings.
2. Mrani, R., Chenal, J., Radoine, H., and Yakubu, H. (2025). Housing Informalities Between Formal Designs and Informal Reality. Architecture, 5(1), 18.
3. Radoine, H., Bajja, S., Dakyaga, F., Celik, A., Kamana, A., Yakubu, H., and Chenal, J. (2024). Modelling the dynamics of urbanization for urban sustainability in West Africa. Journal of Urban Management, 13(4), 580-595.

Funding

Individual Awards

• Cornell Global Hubs Seed Grant, Cornell University (2024-2025): USD 5,000
• Einaudi Travel Grant for Graduate Students, Cornell University (2023-2024): USD 2,000

Collaborative Grants and Projects (Total Project Budget)

• Promoting Digital Inclusion in Education in African Cities and Regions, ITU Connect2Recover (2021-2022). Role: local team coordination and report drafting. Total project budget: USD 42,000.
• Urban Structure and COVID-19 Spread: Urban Health Performance Index, Social Innovation Lab UM6P (2022). Role: proposal and work package development; project team coordination. Total project budget: USD 50,000.
• Sustainable, Resilient and Smart African Cities Project, Mazagan Urban Development Agency (2020-2023). Role: project coordination support; project team coordination. Total project budget: USD 700,000.