Lagos advocates proactive approach to sustainable planning

REALIZING the effectiveness of proactive engagements of all stakeholders, the Lagos State Government has said it would work to ensure that it has and maintains sustainable planning policy to upgrade slum settlements in the state.

  This is one of the plans the state government, revealed recently while unveiling 10-year development plan within the government house, Ikeja, Lagos.

 Stating the policy objectives and outcomes, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, included the following as the main focus: a beautiful Lagos; a fully functional and effective urban and rural planning and development scheme; cultural diversity in urban and rural development activities and dynamic linkages between the rural and urban centres.

  According to Akabueze, the policy targets are to commission and complete a new regional master plan (RMP) for Lagos this year; to have direct master plan (DMP) in place; to have a complete coverage of neighbourhood plans (NP), in place by 2020; to have access to basic infrastructure, utilities and services, at most, 15 minutes walking distance; to provide a 20 percent reduction in population density.

  Other targets include the decision to establish recreational parks in 25 percent of the 57 local government (LG) and Local development Councils (LDCs) this year and thereafter, complete all additional ones by 2025; to ensure proper maintenance of the existing six recreational parks state-wide and all newly completed ones; to attain the planting of at least, three million trees statewide, including landscaping and beautification of all identified open spaces, road verges, median and lay-bys. 

  Besides, the plans include the need to establish five plant nurseries with capacity for 500,000 stocks of seedlings per year; to partner with private sectors to brand 25 percent of landscaped sites to ensure adequate maintenance and finally, to promote 15 new growth poles/corridors to accommodate the future expansion of the city. 

   According to him, policies and strategies to adopt would include the hierarchy of physical planning plans, growth poles corridor, slum clearance, accessible transport system, cultural heritage, public participation, information and monitoring, capacity building and planning and regulation.

“The state shall establish a hierarchy of physical plans for the whole state, with regional master plan at the apex, followed by district master plans and neighbourhood development plan, while specific areas shall also have statutory layout plans”, said the Commissioner, adding that government would utilize the growth pole and corridor concepts in the future expansion of the city.

  Besides, it was part of the plan to ensure that the state would ensure clearance of what official described as “Worst slum areas” and upgrading of the remaining older housing areas in neighbourhood plans and provide them with accessible transport infrastructure.

  He said the state, will also preserve rural cultural heritage and historic sites in places like Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and others. This would be done through public participation, involving engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

“Planning shall be based upon sound research and regular monitoring and review, while the development of GIS mapping shall be maintained with a cost recovery element.

“The needs for an effective town planning system shall be assessed and capacity enhanced where necessary”, he said, stressing that there shall be a rigorous enforcement of town planning regulations with an effective and simplified system of regulation, control and monitoring of out-door advertising and signage.

  Officials believe that a built environment that is clean, safe and green, attractive and well organised has a potential of facilitating many benefits. 

  Besides, there are many economic benefits because such environment is attractive to both business and tourists. The concept of sustainability is vital to ensure that all development takes place in a way that is least harmful communities, health-wise at any material time.

 It was observed that with over 2,600 communities, with over 100 slums characterized Lagos physical landscape, posing challenges for orderly physical growth and sustainable urban development, hence, the need for proactive approach.