The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Lagos State chapter, has urged the state government to implement its master, model city and district plans to promote orderly and sustainable urban development.
The chairman of the chapter, Dr David Olawale, made the call while marking the 2026 World Town Planning Day in Lagos, themed “Great Communities Are Built on Planning.”
Olawale said physical planning should form the foundation of the state's development, noting that well-planned communities do not emerge by chance but require deliberate efforts and professional input.
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He explained that town planning goes beyond arranging buildings and roads, as it determines residents' access to essential services, including schools, healthcare facilities, markets, workplaces, transportation and recreational spaces.
According to him, a functional community should allow residents to move around safely and conveniently while enjoying access to basic amenities.
The NITP chairman, however, expressed concern over the contrasting development patterns in Lagos, where modern estates and high-end developments exist alongside informal settlements facing blocked drainage channels, building setback violations and unauthorised construction.
He said the situation could be addressed through stronger commitment to physical planning and effective development control.
Olawale therefore appealed to the state government to ensure that its existing master, model city and district plans were implemented rather than left on the shelves.
He also urged property developers and landowners to obtain the necessary planning approvals and comply with approved development plans.
The town planner warned that construction activities carried out without proper approval could endanger lives and threaten communities.
He further called on residents to regard town planners as partners in community development rather than adversaries, particularly when they enforce building setbacks, protect drainage channels and preserve open spaces.
Olawale also urged professionals in the built environment to uphold ethical standards and resist compromising their integrity for short-term gains.
He stressed that effective planning was essential to building inclusive, resilient, liveable and sustainable communities, adding that the success or failure of physical planning directly affected the wellbeing of residents.
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