Ayomide Shoboyejo
Professor Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, has highlighted the pressing need for urban planners to tackle environmental challenges intensified by urbanization.
Professor Egbewole spoke on Wednesday, during the 10th edition of the Waheed Kadiri Lecture.
The annual lecture is organised by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in honour of the former Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Dr. Waheed Kadiri.
He underscored the pivotal roles that effective governance and urban policy play in managing the adverse effects of urbanization on economic productivity, insecurity, and inadequate social facilities.
Egbewole, a legal practitioner and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), insisted that professionals and not only politicians must build Nigeria.
He urged planners to actively engage in reviewing, updating, advocating, and monitoring urban policies.
Emphasizing a forward-looking perspective, Professor Egbewole urged town planning propositions to consider both current needs and the prospective needs of future generations.
He stressed the importance of creating easily accessible urban spaces that promote inclusivity and reduce reliance on private establishments.
Egbewole expressed danger in leaving politicians solely in charge developing Nigeria, saying “to a large extent, our decision-makers are planning illiterate”.
“It is now more imperative to allow professionals build our nation than succumb to the manipulations of the few and octopus called government as represented by few misguided public officials”, Egbewole said.
He charged town planners “to promote lively and self-sustaining communities, town planning propositions must be ingenious to foster mix of residential, commercial and recreational land uses and enforce zoning restrictions that allow for mixed-use projects, building a feeling of community and reducing commuting lengths, as far as practicable.
“Every plan should be people-centered. As a process, planning must follow the dictates of Peoples Leading in Addressing their Needs (PLAN) that allows the targeted beneficiaries to take leading roles in conception and settings.
“Town planners must prioritise and plan for efficient and well-maintained infrastructure, including transportation, utilities and public services that meet future requirements and provide fair access to essential services”.
Additionally, he highlighted the significance of the institute identifying new global initiatives and implementing sustainable strategies to enhance efficiency and professionalism within urban planning.
In his remark, Kadiri called for strict implementation of government policies and plans on urban regeneration to prevent natural disasters.
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