Planners urged to embrace technology in urban planning

Town planners have emphasised the need to embrace technological advancements in urban planning and address complex challenges in cities.

The Head, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr Taofik Salau, spoke at the 2024 Young Planners’ Week and Yearly General Meeting, entitled: ‘Navigating the Future of Urban Planning: From Best Practice to Next Practice’ organised by Nigerian Institute of Town Planners-Young Planners Forum (NITP-YPF) Lagos Chapter.

He argued that integrating technology and data analytics will revolutionise the field of urban planning, providing planners with powerful tools to address complex challenges and make informed decisions.

He said leveraging advancements in data collection, analysis, and visualisation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and big data and by analysing these data sets, planners can identify emerging trends, optimise resource allocation, and improve the quality of life for urban residents.

Salau explained that adaptive and responsive urban design is increasingly recognised as a crucial strategy for creating resilient and sustainable cities, adding that by designing urban environments that can adapt to changing conditions, planners can mitigate the impacts of climate change, economic fluctuations, and social shifts that have become prevalent issues in cities.

This approach, Salau stressed, involves incorporating flexibility, adaptability, and reversibility into urban development projects, as well as incorporating smart technologies, such as sensors and data analytics, to monitor urban performance and adjust strategies in real time.

He said by combining adaptive and responsive design principles, planners can create more resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities.

However, challenges such as infrastructure, safety, and equity must be addressed to ensure the successful integration of micro-mobility into urban transportation systems.”

For him, it is important to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, community organisations, businesses, and academic institutions.

He said urban planners can develop more inclusive, sustainable, and effective solutions through collaborative governance as it ensures the possibility of rapid response to the first signs of infrastructure damage, reducing the cost of maintenance. This approach, he pointed out, can help to build trust, increase legitimacy, and ensure that planning decisions are aligned with community needs and priorities.

He said: “By working together, these partnerships can address complex issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change more effectively than any single organisation could on its own.”

Coordinator, NITP-YPF, Lagos Chapter, Yusuf Adekoya, noted that the future is bright for the youth, and urged them to play a vital role in shaping or preparing the future with concerted efforts, part of which must include training and collaborations.

Adekoya listed some of the achievements of the forum including urban design competition for undergraduate students, provision of employment opportunities and mentorship to members, repositioning of the forum for global recognition, award to best male students at the Lagos Polytechnic, and young planners lecture series.

He said the clogs in the wheel of the forum’s growth are inadequate funds to run the affairs of the forum, lack of an established database of members, and apathy by some of our members. However, he said the forum has availed members the opportunity to reflect on challenges, and accomplishments, discuss ongoing initiatives, and elect new leadership.

Chairman 2024 YPF-AGM Planning Committee, Oluwafemi Popoola, said the association was designed as a breeding ground to prepare young planners for the future with regards to gaining technical skills in GIS, mapping, use of Artificial Intelligence and drones.

He further disclosed that the association is for town planners who are below ten years in practice and students of higher institutions in Lagos to catch them young in the urban planning profession as well as bridge the gap between town and gown.