World Habitat Day: UN, govts seek protection of public spaces

The progressive erosion of the public open spaces in cities had become a major casualty of sustainable urbanisation and robbed communities of some of the most critical elements of a healthy and productive space to grow
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SEEN as vital key to any urban settlement, the United Nations, Lagos State Government and others have called on Nigerians to develop right attitude in the use and maintenance of public spaces, warning against dangers of abuse of the facility in the state.

To this end, issues concerning the protection of public space formed the thrust of 2015 World Habitat Day, held in Lagos last week.

Among others, the move was considered imperative to address issues pertaining to livability and quality of life in the city, through the preservation of public spaces. These include parks, streets, playgrounds, gardens, sidewalks, among, others.

At the end of the discourse, all stakeholders including the United Nations (UN) Habitat, Lagos State Government and experts in the built environment advocated for the protection and preservation of public spaces across the country for the benefits of man and his environment.
    
Speaking during the event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, on the theme of 2015 event: “Public Spaces for all”, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Olakunle Ojo, noted that theme was coming at a time that the state government was committed to ensuring preservation, maintenance and expansion of public spaces as provided for the state’s various Master Plans and Model City Plans.
  
“It is in realisation of this that government has continued to invest in the provision of parks and gardens and other public spaces across the state, not only to enhance the aesthetics of the environment but also to mitigate the impact of Climate Change and ensure environmental sustainability,” said Ambode, who called on the private sector to partner with government towards the realisation of this objective and to take advantage of the immense opportunities that abounded in this sector.

He added that government would continue to look into the existing policies and legislation guiding the development and usage of public spaces with a view to strengthening them so as to make them more attractive, safe and effective.

Also in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. George Ossi, said that in the past, pubic spaces were fittingly recognized as the backbone of neighbourhoods, districts and the city at large adding that it is depressing that we are witnessing their disappearance in the country.

He noted that the outcome of this trend is the creeping worrisome obliteration of cities’ green geography and increasing incidences of harsh floods, erosion, heat wave and other micro climatic conditions.

Ossi observed that in recognition of the importance of public places and monuments as symbols of national pride and assets, government amongst other things committed sizable budget allocation to the upgrading of Zik Mausoleum into a vibrant centre of cohesion for community events in Onitsha, Anambra state.

He noted that the ministry had provided technical support through special consultancy studies to some state governments and local communities for upgrading of slums and fast growing urban centre across the country.

Ossi urged urban planners and other professionals in the built industry to give priority to the provision of adequate public space in cities designs and urban renewal projects.

While speaking in Lagos, UN Habitat Programme Manager for Nigeria, Kabir Yari said it had become imperative to address issues pertaining to livability and the deteriorating quality of life in the city through the preservation of public spaces such as parks, streets, playgrounds, gardens, sidewalks, among others.
 
According to him, the progressive erosion of the public open spaces in cities had become a major casualty of sustainable urbanisation and robbed communities of some of the most critical elements of a healthy and productive space to grow and develop in.

“In our traditional societies, the exploitation of open spaces was a cardinal element in the social, cultural and economic fabric of the community and more often than not, shaped the morphology of our various settlements. Unfortunately, however, streets and public spaces, which ordinarily are considered the backbone of cities, have been overlooked and undervalued as our cities developed over time,” said Yari, who was represented by Barnabas Atiaye.
   
Yari commended the Lagos State Government for taking the lead in promoting the concept of urban regeneration through deliberate programme of inner city improvements by way of restoration of previously bastardised parks and open spaces, beautification of transportation interchanges and enhancement of environmental quality through the greening of road setbacks and redesign of highway furniture.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dipe Adebayo called on all to join hands with the government in the development and preservation of public spaces for the benefit of generation and generation yet unborn.
  
Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Wasiu Anifowoshe also emphasised the need for all to join hands with the government to protect public spaces for the benefit of all.