Industry experts have emphasised the need to integrate the state with its neighbouring regions to foster sustainable growth through interconnected economic and cultural activities.

They also called for the streamlining of planning permit processes through reduced fees, and minimising bureaucratic delays to improve the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) in Lagos.

The experts made the recommendation in communiqué at the end of a physical planning summit, themed: “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity,” held in Lagos.

The summit called for a review of existing land tenure and environmental laws to enable more effective urban planning and development. It stressed the importance of capacity development for professionals in physical planning and urban development in addition to the adoption of contemporary technological innovations in urban planning processes and smart growth development.

Other critical recommendations are the establishment of an institutional framework that would establish a high-power implementation committee, the setting up of the Lagos Physical Planning Summit Working Group, inclusive of players in public and private sectors, the provision of an enabling environment, and required human and financial resources for physical planning in the state.

The communiqué, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, highlighted the need for a collective vision for the future, innovative strategies and practical solutions to ensure Lagos remains a dynamic and well-planned metropolis through public-private partnerships.

Participants further noted that the Lagos State government has invested substantial amounts in the preparation of master and model city plans to envision the development framework to guide urban development in Mega City.

However, they stressed that the plans are ranked low in their performance, adding that an institutional framework would establish an implementation committee to be chaired by the governor or his representative for effective monitoring and implementation.

The experts reaffirmed their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Lagos Development Plan 2022-2052 and development agenda recognising the critical role of physical planning in achieving sustainable urban development.