‘Alimosho Model City plan identifies strategies for sustainable functional cities’

THE revised Alimosho Model City Plan has identified strategies for creating sustainable functional cities in the densely populated local government area of Lagos State.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide,  made this known during the final stakeholders meeting on the review of Alimosho Model City Plan in Igando, Lagos

Olumide said that strategies provided in the plan for projecting communities in Alimosho into functional cities were efficient land use and zoning, enhanced transportation and connectivity, and the creation of sustainable and resilient infrastructure as well as preservation of cultural heritage and public spaces, among others.

He said that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu invested in the preparation of physical development plans to guide the development of nooks and crannies of the state to realise the vision of making Lagos a 21st century economy.

According to him, several remarkable efforts in directing the growth pattern of the bourgeoning Lagos,  through plan preparation,execution and implementation have evoked the regular attention from government, which now metamorphosed into the preparation of 13 different Master and Model City Plans, nine Action Area Plans and nine Development Guide Plans to revitalise the state in both spatial and sectoral aspects.

The commissioner explained that the recent redesignation of the mandate of the ministry  by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the creation of two offices therefrom –   Office of Physical Planning and Office of Urban Development respectively, sought to provide added impetus to efforts to achieving livable, organised and sustainable built environment.

He expressed excitement that the final stakeholders meeting on the subject was coming in quick succession to a similar one,  held on the review of Lagos Island Model City Plan as well as the receipt by the Office of Physical Planning of the completed Ikorodu Master Plan while different levels of other master plans were at various completion stages.

The project consultants, Messrs Corporate Castle Ltd., Firstplus Planning Consultants and Tade Planning Services presented the revised Alimosho Model City Plan in addition to the brief by the Director, Regional and Master Plan in the Office of Physical Planning, Tpl. Kunle Salami, the highlights of which are the provision of improved housing through higher densification and regeneration approaches,  the provision of low-cost housing schemes and improved public transportation, and the identification of 13 Action Areas, including Ipaja, Amikanle, Egbeda and Igando to serve as focuses of specific planning policies.

Member, House of Representatives, Alimosho Federal Constituency, Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba called for deliberate action to link budgetary provisions with the Plan and urged the State Government to ensure synergy among executing agencies of government to realise the ideals of every physical development plans in Lagos State.

Also speaking passionately about their expectations from the Plan were members of the host Local Government Area, including Lagos House of Assembly members, representing  Alimosho Constituency I and II, Hon.Lukman Orelope and Hon. Kehinde Joseph respectively.

Others were the Chairman, Alimosho Local Government,  Hon. Sulaimon Jelili, the Vice Chairman,  Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area,  Hon. Joke Obe and the Onikotun of Ikotun, Oba Azeez Gbadabiu Asiwaju.

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