The Lagos State Government has released the communiqué emanating from the recent Physical Planning Summit, themed: “Rethinking Lagos: A New Vision for a Regional and Integrated Megacity”, which was held on October 15 and 16 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The communiqué, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Engr. Oluwole Sotire is the reflection of the views of key stakeholders, industry experts, and government officials whose participation at the summit focused on addressing critical challenges in physical planning and urban development while charting a path toward a safer, organised, and integrated Lagos.
The communique expresses a collective vision for the future and highlights innovative strategies and practical solutions to ensure Lagos remains a dynamic and well-planned metropolis through public-private partnerships.
Its transformative recommendations are geared towards reshaping the state’s physical planning and urban landscape and ensuring sustainable growth.
The major highlights are the emphasis on integrating Lagos with its neighbouring regions to foster sustainable growth through interconnected economic and cultural activities, and the need to streamline the planning permit process, reduce fees, and minimize bureaucratic delays to improve the ease of doing business in the Lagos Megacity.
The summit called for a review of existing land tenure and environmental laws to enable more effective urban planning and development while stressing the importance of capacity development for professionals in physical planning and urban development in addition to the adoption of contemporary technological innovations in urban planning processes and smart growth development.
Other critical recommendations are the establishment of an institutional framework that would establish a high-power implementation committee, the setting up of the Lagos Physical Planning Summit Working Group, inclusive of players in public and private sectors, the provision of an enabling environment, required human and financial resources for Physical Planning activities in Lagos State as well as the adoption of innovative financing models, including Public-Private partnerships, municipal bonds, and crowdfunding, to address infrastructure development gaps effectively.
The communiqué reaffirms the State’s commitment to sustainable development, as outlined in the Lagos Development Plan 2022–2052 and the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda and encourages stakeholders to collaborate with the Government in implementing the summit’s outcomes.