Poor urban planning worsens slum crisis

Inadequate urban planning has resulted in increased flooding and a surge in slums, leaving millions to live in substandard conditions, JOSEPHINE OGUNDEJI writes

As Nigeria’s cities expand at an unprecedented rate, slums continue to grow as a stark reminder of the country’s urban planning failures. In cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, informal settlements are rapidly multiplying, home to millions of Nigerians living in deplorable conditions.

These slums reveal a deep-rooted flaw in the country’s approach to urban development, where the absence of adequate planning has given rise to a crisis of monumental proportions.

The country’s rapid urbanisation, driven by economic opportunities in major cities, has led to an influx of rural migrants. However, the government’s urban planning framework has failed to keep up with this growth.

As a result, millions are forced into informal settlements, where access to basic infrastructure is nearly nonexistent. Clean water, sanitation, electricity, and secure housing are luxuries in slums.

The Treasurer of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island Branch, Babatunji Adegoke, noted that urban planning in Nigeria remained a work in progress.

He lamented, “Despite the existence of planning laws, many developments proceed independently, disregarding established regulations. This often leads to the creation of settlements primarily designed for the affluent, neglecting the needs of the working class, who provide essential services. As a result, slums and shanties frequently emerge in proximity to well-planned neighbourhoods. A prime example is the proliferation of shanties in and around Lekki.

“While Nigeria possesses sound planning laws, their implementation is often inconsistent. Guidelines stipulating minimum requirements for estates, such as setbacks, green spaces, and room sizes, are frequently ignored. Moreover, enforcement of these laws is lax, allowing developers to construct structures without obtaining necessary approvals. Authorities sometimes turn a blind eye to these violations, only to belatedly intervene and declare the developments unauthorised.

“By strictly enforcing and implementing existing planning laws and holding violators accountable, Nigeria can create more equitable and sustainable cities, towns, and communities.”

In 2023, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency disclosed that 169 slums had been identified in Lagos, and eight of them were marked for regeneration.

The Head of Public Affairs, LASURA, Adeola Olagoke, told The PUNCH, “169 slum communities identified, e.g. Badia, Magbon, Obawole Agege, Olusosun, Alaba Rago, Obun Eko, Makoko, among others. 49 of them have been mapped out, e.g., Mazamaza, Agidingbi, Otunmara, among others. 12 have been profiled, that is, Ipodo, Isale Oja, part of Oregun, among others and 16 of them have been declared on national dailies as slum communities, and eight earmarked for regeneration, which includes part of Alausa, part of Olusosun, part of Bariga, and others.”

Also, a Professor of Urban Management and Governance at the University of Lagos, Taibat Lawanson, revealed at the 21st inaugural lecture of the University of Lagos that Lagos had over 157 slum communities deserving of attention.

Lawanson said, “The figure of the slums in Nigeria’s commercial capital city was recently profiled by the Committee on Slum Identification and panel by the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency and the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation.”

Regeneration of slums

The Managing Director of Fame Oyster & Co. Nigeria, Femi Oyedele, told The PUNCH that the regeneration of slums would help in bridging the housing deficit gap in the country.

He explained, “Slums are squalid human settlements. They are communities with great opportunities in their locations to central business districts or commercial precincts. They are called slums because they have substandard houses, poor service houses, and buildings that are not maximally utilised.”

According to Adeola Adenikinju in an article titled ‘Bridging Housing Deficit in Nigeria: Lessons from other jurisdictions’, slums typically crop up around centres of economic opportunity, no matter how rudimentary.

Adenikinju suggested that slum regeneration was the best solution to slum eradication, noting that it was a big mistake to see slums as a problem.

“To bridge the housing deficit gap in Nigeria, which authorities say is between 17 million to 28 million, we need to look into slums regeneration, especially in Lagos State, where we have over 150 slums serving as homes to over 20 million people, according to a report by Human Rights Watch and Justice and Empowerment Initiative on July 28, 2021,” he stated.

Also, an estate surveyor, Olorunyomi Alatise, said the revitalisation of urban slums was a favourable strategy, particularly the redevelopment of these areas.

He said, “Slums redevelopment, especially redevelopment of urban slums (since everyone wants to be in the urban area), will be a good approach to cushioning house deficits, but the issue with houses in the slums is that most owners are not ready because most of them consider the neighbourhood and their property as a family heritage that they cannot part way with.

“It will take a lot of sensitisation and adequate compensation (not just fair compensation as the Land Use Act, 1978 stipulates) to get these indigenes out of their place of birth. If either the private sector, the public, or PPP can successfully do this, slum redevelopment will help cushion the effects of housing deficits.

“Another issue is affordability. They believe after redevelopment, they may not be able to afford the houses. So, if slum redevelopment is going to do what it’s targeted at, affordability must be borne in mind.”

Flooding

In 2023, the Chairman of the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Prof. Musibau Jelili, called for effective urban planning to address frequent occurrences of floods and other environment-related health challenges.

Jelili, while speaking during his investiture as the 18th Oyo state chairman of NITP in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, said many land uses did not get the necessary approval for the project, while some did deviate from it to cut costs.

He said, “The incompatible land uses and mixing up of residential and industrial areas could lead to floods, waste management problems, urban pollution, and other environmental problems.”

The Principal Partner of CN Architects Ltd, Nwosu Obinna, told The PUNCH that flooding is one of the most impactful natural disasters, wreaking significant financial havoc on the built environment.

He added that effective urban planning and infrastructure design were crucial in mitigating the impacts of flooding.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of OddSpace Consult, Ayomide George, remarked that the issue of poor urban planning had not only led to the risk of flooding but also rising slums and housing shortages in the country.

He noted, “Poor urban planning in Nigeria has exacerbated the risk of flooding, especially in major cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt. The lack of a well-coordinated drainage system and inadequate enforcement of building codes often leads to uncontrolled construction on flood plains and wetlands. This neglect leaves many urban areas vulnerable to heavy rainfall, causing flooding that disrupts livelihoods, damages property and increases health risks through waterborne diseases.

“In addition to flooding, poor urban planning has contributed to the proliferation of slums in Nigerian cities. Rapid urbanisation without corresponding infrastructural development has pushed many low-income earners into informal settlements. These slums, lacking basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and proper housing, have become a byproduct of the country’s failure to plan for its growing population. The absence of affordable housing projects exacerbates the issue, as the demand for housing continues to outstrip supply.”

According to George, the housing shortage in Nigeria is also deeply connected to the flaws in urban planning.

He claimed that a lack of foresight in zoning, infrastructure investment, and land use policies had led to an imbalance between housing needs and available housing units. “Middle- and low-income households, unable to afford the few available housing options, are forced into overcrowded, substandard living conditions.

“Addressing these issues requires a more comprehensive approach to urban planning that integrates artificial intelligence to help in mitigating environmental risks like flooding,” he stated.

Tech adoption

Experts believe that integrating artificial intelligence into Nigeria’s urban planning can greatly enhance the efficiency, livability, inclusivity, and sustainability of cities.

The current challenges facing Nigerian cities, from overcrowding to insufficient infrastructure, could be addressed in profound ways through a systematic adoption of AI.

One of the most immediate areas where AI could make a difference is managing urban sprawl and optimising land use.

According to George, the use of AI in urban planning paves the way for more sustainable cities.

He added, “By optimising energy use, reducing waste, and improving resource allocation, we can design cities that leave a smaller carbon footprint. As an architect with almost a decade of experience in the built environment, I see the potential for AI to help us rethink how we build for the future, blending human creativity with machine intelligence to shape more livable, resilient urban spaces.

“While AI won’t replace the human touch required in design, it serves as a powerful tool in our arsenal, enabling us to make more informed decisions and, ultimately, craft better cities for everyone.”

Efforts made

Nigeria’s urban planning mechanisms include the National Urban Development Policy, Master Plans (e.g., Lagos, Abuja), Strategic Urban Development Plans, and Structure Plans. technical tools like Geographic Information Systems, Urban Information Systems, and Computer-Aided Design support planning and management.

Notable initiatives that the government has been to address the challenge of slums in the country include Lagos State’s “Lagos 2030” Plan, Abuja’s “Abuja Master Plan” (2016-2036), Port Harcourt’s “Garden City” project, and Kano State’s “Kano Mega City” project.

These mechanisms aim to address urbanisation challenges, promote sustainable development, and enhance quality of life. However, challenges persist, including limited funding, inadequate institutional capacity, and ineffective regulation enforcement.

Effective implementation of these mechanisms is crucial for Nigeria’s urban development and economic growth.

Nigeria can take a cue from the United Arab Emirates, which intends to use generative AI to design Dubai’s urban plan.

Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has directed the activation of the emirate’s first AI-powered platform for urban planning, state-owned WAM.

“This unprecedented initiative aims to make Dubai one of the first cities in the world to adopt generative AI in designing its urban plan, creating a comprehensive vision for neighbourhoods and residential areas in partnership with the community,” a report said.