**”How Urban Planners Can Shape the Future of Megacities”**
In today’s world, where cities continue to evolve at a rapid pace to meet the growing needs of their populations, few professionals are as crucial as urban planners. Yet, these visionaries of urban space are often relegated to the background, despite their key role in planning and implementing urban projects.
The recent Lagos Physical Planning Summit, titled “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity,” highlighted the importance of urban planners in creating sustainable and thriving cities. At the event, former Lagos State Governor Fashola highlighted the critical role of urban planners in designing and managing city master plans.
According to Fashola, urban planners are not limited to land use planning, but play a crucial role in the optimal allocation of resources for urban infrastructure. As custodians of the city’s natural assets, planners must determine how these resources can be optimally used for the common good and prosperity of the urban environment.
Their responsibility goes beyond simply allocating land for housing or public amenities. Planners must be the leaders in deciding what spaces are allocated for roads, schools, markets, places of worship, health facilities, recreational spaces, waste and water treatment facilities, before planning for housing development. By adopting this approach, current infrastructure access issues could be addressed more effectively, ensuring more balanced and sustainable urban growth.
Current Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed Fashola’s analysis, acknowledging that the challenges of managing a megacity like Lagos are many, but that planners have a critical role to play in addressing these issues. He stressed that urban planners must be encouraged to take their rightful place in building megacities, by pioneering more thoughtful and innovative urban planning.
In conclusion, it is clear that the role of urban planners is essential in shaping the future of modern cities. Their strategic vision and technical expertise are indispensable in ensuring sustainable, equitable and harmonious urban development. It is time for decision-makers to fully recognise the importance of urban planners and give them their rightful place in urban planning processes. By valuing their contribution, we can build more resilient, inclusive and prosperous cities for future generations.