Term Paper 1
Topic
URBAN REGENERATION IN LAGOS METROPOLIS
Compiled by
OWA Ayodele Samuel
050501050
Course code
ARC 875
Professional practice I
January 2011
WHAT IS URBAN REGENERATION?
Urban Regeneration also referred to as Urban Renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density land use. The objectives of this scheme may include the following:
§ Relocation of businesses, demolition of historic structures, the relocation of people and the use of eminent domain.
§ It results in Urban Sprawl and less congestion when areas of cities receive freeways and expressways.
§ Urban Renewal has been seen by proponents as an economic engine and reform mechanism and by critics as a mechanism for control.
§ It may enhance existing communities and in some cases result in the demolition of neighborhood.
Brief History of Lagos STATE
One oral tradition states that Lagos was originally called Eko, which means "cassava farm", and that it was founded by a Benin royal family. The founding king was Ado. Eko was the land area where the king's palace was built. The indigenous people settled down in the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", meaning "South Lagos". In 1603, Andreas Joshua Ulsheimer, a German surgeon, aboard a Dutch merchant ship, visited Lagos. According to his accounts, Lagos was a large frontier town surrounded by a strong fence and inhabited by "none but soldiers and four military commanders, who behave in a very stately manner."
URBAN REGENERATION IN LAGOS METROPOLIS
Lagos, the centre of excellence is gradually becoming a megalopolis. Projects such as the design and construction of Eko Atlantic City, the BRT lane, the proposed 10 lane linking Mile2 – Badagry and creation of parks and landscapes are considered major regeneration projects in Lagos. The effort of the current administration in advocating the demolition of degraded areas then in Orile and Mile2 are seen as formative Urban Renewal strategies.
Eko Atlantic City is a planned district of Lagos, Nigeria, being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean. Located on Lagos’ Bar Beach, the proposed development is anticipating upon completion 400,000 residents and 250,000 commuters flowing daily to the new island. The development will also have a positive environmental impact; its purpose is to stop the erosion of the Lagos coastline. Eko Atlantic hopes to be a powerhouse for Nigeria and all West Africa. The project is expected to have a positive impact on Lagos as well as Nigeria in general. Throughout the project’s lifetime, thousands of jobs will be created as well as providing business and residential districts for West Africa. Hence, admirers and investors will flood its shores either for leisure of for business.
The BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) has achieved results that cannot be overemphasized. Transportation in Lagos is now very convenient. The dedicated lanes help in time saving by avoiding the major traffic routes that are more often than not congested. The bus-stops are designed and constructed to international standards, fares are made cheaper and a convenient ticketing system is being put in place. This development has seen the extinction of the popular ‘molue’ busses and has added to the Urban view of the city. The BRT will reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and meet the mobility needs, particularly of the less privileged and poor masses of the Lagos Metropolis.
LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS OF URBAN REGENERATION
If this scheme lives up to the hopes of its original proponents, it would have played an important role and would have the following positive effects:
§ Improvement in quality of replenished housing.
§ Increase density and reduce sprawl.
§ Have economic benefits and improve the global economic competitiveness of Lagos.
§ Improve cultural and social amenity.
§ Improve opportunities for safety and surveillance.
§ Increase tax income for government.
CONCLUSION Ten years to come, the city of Lagos would be a megalopolis, and will compete with most of the developed nations of the world in terms of Urbanization.
GALLERY
Figure 1 Dedicated BRT Lanes
Figure 2 Prof. Ayodele Park, Onike, Lagos.
Figure 3 LAMATA Bus Shelter @ Ilupeju Bus stop, Lagos
Figure 4 BRT Busses @ Ojota Depot
FURTHER STUDY
§ Alexandra Renewal Project, Johannesburg, South Africa.
§ Green Square, Sydney.
§ Development of ferry services in the Lagos Metropolitan Area.
§ LAMATA Special Development Projects.
§ The strategic transport master plan.
REFERENCES
§ Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
§ www.lagosrail.com
