NIA forum seeks role for architecture in urban design, real estate

The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos State chapter, will by the middle of next month, gather stakeholders in the built environment in a forum aimed to, among other things, explore roles for architects and architecture in urban design.

The forum, which is the chapter’s flagship annual event, also focuses on architecture and its synergy with urban design and real estate development as vehicles for creating sustainable and liveable cities that have vibrant economies.

At a press conference jointly addressed in Lagos recently by Ladipo Lewis, Titi Adeleye, Abimbola Ajayi and Samson Akinyosoye, chairman, vice chairman, former chairman and public relations officer, respectively, the architects highlighted the role architecture could play in urban design.

Lewis said the forum, which has the theme – Lagos 4.0 – Architecture and Urban Design – would also be looking at some of the development projects that Lagos State government had initiated including roads, toll gates, the Lagos HOMS, etc.

In all these, what are the roles the architects are expected to play? How can the architects shape the city of Lagos? We have some of our colleagues who have visited other cities of the world including Dubai, Singapore, the UK and US; how would these experiences be brought to bear on the development of the city? he queried.

He stated that whatever was happening in other big cities of the world, especially in Dubai, was possible in Lagos because “the city has all the natural endowments like beaches, seas, rivers, lagoons, etc, which could be explored.

“The question we should be asking ourselves is ‘how can architecture initiate developments that can transform Lagos into a world city that people all over the world would like to visit.”

Continuing, he said, “we need to develop our tourism industry but this cannot happen unless we initiate massive development projects like residences, hotels, shopping malls and road networks; we must build iconic buildings – the type that has made Dubai a tourism destination with its 7-star hotel and the tallest building in the world.”

According to him, the 2013 forum is aimed to address some of these issues, adding that they have invited great speakers and resources persons to present papers at the forum.

The three-day event already slated for May 15-17 will also feature conferences and workshops that will dwell on contemporary urban development issues.

Modules to be considered include Urban Design, Master Planning, Real Estate Development, High Density Mass Housing, Construction Technology, Design Technology as well as Pre/Post Conference Site Tours.

The forum, among other objectives, seeks to bring together professionals in the construction industry to discuss burning issues in the industry; create an environment to showcase new technologies applicable to the industry, and serve as an opportunity for Architects to earn CPD points

Expected at the forum are architects in private practice, academia, civil service, financial institutions and other private organisations; allied professionals in the construction industry; real estate developers and property development institutions construction companies; students of architecture, building materials manufacturers & retailers.

CHUKA UROKO