Education
Expert seeks multi-professional approach to Lagos urban planning – EnviroNews
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An architect and academic, Dr John Adesina, has urged the Lagos State Government to adopt a multi-professional approach to planning and developing new towns.
Adesina, Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria, made the call in an interview on Monday, July 20, 2026.
He is also a lecturer in the Faculty of Architecture, University of Lagos.
The Lagos State New Towns Development Authority recently engaged consultants to prepare and review strategic development schemes across key growth corridors.
The schemes cover Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, Badagry Corridor, Ise-Igbogun/Ode-Omi New Town and Epe Development Scheme Phase II.
The initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to sustainable physical planning under Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda.
Adesina commended the initiative but urged the government to involve all relevant built-environment professionals in planning and implementation.
He said Lagos could not build world-class new towns through a single-profession approach.
According to him, city development requires collaboration among planners, architects, landscape architects, engineers, environmental experts, economists and other specialists.
He said no single profession possesses all the expertise required for modern urban development.
“The creation of new towns involves spatial planning, urban design, housing, transport, environmental management, flood control and climate resilience,” he said.
Adesina said Nigerian laws recognised several built-environment professions with statutory responsibilities relevant to urban development.
He noted that the Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria Act assigns planners responsibilities for physical development, land-use planning and development control.
He, however, said the law did not grant exclusive authority over every aspect of new town development.
According to him, the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria Act recognises architects’ roles in designing buildings and the broader built environment.
He said architects also coordinate multidisciplinary design teams for urban regeneration and master planning in many countries.
Adesina said landscape architects contribute expertise in ecological planning, biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure and climate adaptation.
He described landscape planning as critical infrastructure for a coastal city like Lagos.
He added that urban designers bridge planning policies with physical development through quality public spaces, mobility systems and neighbourhood design.
He expressed concern that excluding such professionals from leadership roles could undermine integrated urban development.
According to him, international frameworks support multidisciplinary collaboration in city planning.
He cited the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda as promoting integrated, inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Adesina also referenced global professional bodies advocating collaboration among planners, architects, landscape architects and engineers.
He said successful cities, including Singapore, Copenhagen and Curitiba, were developed through integrated professional teams.
He warned that limiting project coordination to one profession could reduce innovation and weaken environmental and urban design outcomes.
He said such an approach might also create perceptions of monopoly in public procurement.
Adesina stressed that town planners remained indispensable in strategic planning, zoning and development control.
He, however, maintained that other professionals should participate equally in creating new towns.
He recommended multidisciplinary consultant teams comprising planners, architects, engineers, surveyors, hydrologists, economists and environmental specialists.
According to him, project leadership should depend on competence, experience and project requirements rather than professional assumptions.
He said such collaboration would improve project quality, environmental performance and the delivery of resilient, liveable and globally competitive communities.
Adesina described the state’s ongoing planning initiatives as commendable and proactive.
He expressed optimism that broader professional collaboration would strengthen Lagos’ vision of becoming a world-class megacity.
By Mercy Omoike
