Lagos State Government, yesterday, implored critical stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the built environment.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, gave the charge at the 2023 yearly World Habitat Day celebration, themed, “Resilient urban Economies, Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery” in Lagos.

He explained that on the physical planning front, residents should be assured of the resolute pursuit of policies that will support transparency, fast-track informative hitch-free building approval process and bring about zero tolerance for building collapse.

According to him, the Certified Accreditor Programme (CAP) and the Certificate of Structural Integrity Programme (CSIP) of the government shall remain vital in birthing a sustainable built environment with the much desirable collaboration of tested and trusted private professionals in the sector.

Olumide lauded the present administration for according urban planning and development the deserved attention to maximise livability and promote the wellness and wellbeing of residents.

“I also congratulate the people of Lagos State for this wonderful opportunity to reflect and forge ahead in our bid to maintain an organised, orderly, sustainable and livable state,” he said.

The commissioner said the state remains foremost in always joining the UN-Habitat and the rest of the world in marking the World Habitat Day and harnessing its gains for the benefit of all and sundry.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the special adviser on e-GIS, Dr Olajide Babatunde, said the World Habitat Day is a critical reminder of roles and responsibility of leaders and citizens in ensuring a sustainable city, despite the climate change crisis.

Chairman of Lagos chapter of the Nigerian lnstitute of Town Planners, (NIPT), Mr Omotayo Awomosu, said there was need to promote re-industrialisation by implementing policies and projects to promote manufacturing and related activities.

He said more investments in infrastructure such as power supply, public transportation, business hubs, integration of the informal sector into the formal economy and implementation of all existing development plan in the state will create jobs, make citizens to thrive and boost resilience of the city.

“I urge decision makers in the state and the nation, at large, to embrace town planning toolkit for solving development problems because the town planning profession offers concrete solutions to most of the problems facing human settlements,” he said.

Former president, African Planning Association (APA), Waheed Kadiri, said city resilience goes beyond preparing for natural disasters but also for chronic stress and acute shocks that may occur.

“Open data, as opposed to proprietary data, should be encouraged. Resilience had been shown to be more of response to vulnerabilities, through adaptation, than being anticipatory,” he said.