5th October, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
The United Nations (UN) Habitat, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and experts in the built industry have advocated protection and preservation of public spaces across the country for the benefits of all.
They spoke on Monday at this year’s World Habitat Day held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Public Spaces for all.’
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 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.
He stated that well designed and managed public spaces and streets were key asset for a city’s livability and economy and that when well managed, enhanced the well-being of residents through increased property value, opportunity for retail activity, enhanced safety, improve health, social cohesion and equality, among others.
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.
He said the UN Habitat would collaborate with the Lagos State Government towards achieving the collective dream of a Lagos that compared in all respects with the best cities across the world.
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in his speech, said the theme of the celebration was apt, as it was coming at a time that the state government was committed more than ever to ensure the preservation, maintenance and expansion of public spaces as provided for in the state’s various Master Plans and Model City Plans.
“In a rapidly growing urban area like Lagos, public spaces, such as parks, gardens, streets, sidewalks, plazas and so on, which are accessible and enjoyable by all, can offer relief from congestion and other negative effects of development.
“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 was represented by the Chief of Staff, Kunle Ojo.
Ambode 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, adding 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.
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.