Recently, the National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) Tpl. Lekwa O. Ezutah visited the corporate office of the Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS) to collaborate with AIHS in the area of housing development advocacy.
Ezutah who is the 23rd National President of the institute during the visit sought to have a day that will be tagged “liveable city day” to discuss issues relating to the development of Nigerian cities at the International Housing Show.
He said that NITP is interested in meeting with other stakeholders in the building industry at the Show to discuss how to make our cities more liveable at the 14th AIHS scheduled to hold between July21st -25th at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
A city built well is a healthy city that provides all residents (not just the few rich) with opportunities to live in areas with all the essential ingredients of a liveable community. It is a place that promotes healthy and happy people and community wellbeing – a place where people want to live.
It is in view of this that the NITP, Nigeria’s leading planning body for spatial, sustainable, integrative and inclusive planning, deem it necessary to have the “liveable cities” day at the 14th Abuja International Housing Show.
Having liveable cities will mean greater economic growth, healthier citizens and a centre of attraction to tourists. Nigeria can achieve it, but it will take a strong political will on the part of the government and a greater commitment from the private sector.
The role of the NITP in creating liveable cities cannot be underestimated as the institute under the leadership of Tpl. Lekwa O. Ezutah has taken a leap step in advocating for governments and private sector`s stronger commitment towards making Nigerian cities liveable through the recent partnership with AIHS to have a day tagged “ liveable cities’’ day at an international event that will have in attendance major national and international professionals and policy makers in the building sector, including state governors, ministers, and administrators.
Stakeholders in the real estate sector have repeatedly opined that the nation can’t be talking of housing without bringing town planners to the fore front. As they are in charge of the first process before construction begins.
Several countries have subscribed to a yearly ranking of liveable cities. No Nigerian city currently sits among the top ranked liveable cities in the world. According to the Global Liveability Index 2019, the top 10 most liveable cities in the world are Vienna (Austria), Melbourne (Australia), Sydney (Australia), Osaka (Japan), Calgary (Canada). Others are Vancouver (Canada) Tokyo (Japan), Toronto (Canada), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Adelaide (Australia).
Having liveable cities not only make the lives of people easier, but could contribute significantly to the life expectancy ratio in Nigeria. Good access to people, services and other essential ingredients of wellbeing are defining features of liveable communities.
How do we create liveable cities?
The ingredients must be worked out. An advocacy group called the Conversation after an extensive review of liveability definitions used in academic and grey literature in Australia and internationally, found some consistent factors.
These critical factors for liveable communities according to them are residents feeling safe, socially connected and included; environmental sustainability; and access to affordable and diverse housing options linked via public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure to employment, education, local shops, public open space and parks, health and community services, leisure and culture.
We live in an urbanising world. Cities like Abuja, Lagos, Portharcourt, among others are increasing in prominence as major social and economic hubs. For such cities, liveability rankings and awards can provide welcome global recognition and marketing tools.
There is a need to build cities based on a clear and consistent definition of liveability. The goal is that it can be objectively measured and tracked over time using indicators that provide an understanding of each city’s strengths and challenges.
