The fact that development plans are the bedrock of every initiative geared towards building a sustainable built environment, while maintaining order and eco-friendliness that would guarantee a conducive environment for working, recreation, security and quality living is not in doubt.
In order to get it right experts say the government as a matter of policy must invest in the preparation of physical development plans to impact positively on its citizenry due to inherent benefits therein.
According to Physical Planners, classification of physical development plans required for the development of the states in the federation includes, Regional Plan which is an outline plan that specifies major land uses, infrastructure and communication/transportation corridor which seeks to balance development in the state.
There are also the master plans that are comprehensive plans for state sub- regions specifying broad intentions for the use and development of all areas within the state jurisdiction usually for a period of twenty years.
While the Model City Plans fall into this category of master plans, the District Plans are development plans that interpret the policies and requirements of comprehensive development plans thereby presenting clearer indication of future disposition of major land uses, development patterns and population distribution in the areas of their jurisdiction.
As far as the Physical planners are concerned Local Plans are development plans complementing parts or all of District Plans indicating in greater details the disposition of all land uses and facilities required for comprehensive and complete development of specified areas and designated population, just as they regard Action Area Plans as written and graphical statements indicating detailed objectives at realising overall intervention of an identified planning area.
To get the best in land use in the country, the President, Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Dr Femi Olomola, has assured that the Land Use Planning Report (LUPAR) will expand Site Analysis Report (SAR) applications.
According to him, the initiative conceived by his administration, would build on the SAR’s processes and procedures, add references and other information on buildings, title deeds, the local land use and development, and permits on property.
He explained that the new LUPAR format, in addition to other benefits, can become a useful and authentic instrument that supports applications for opening of corporate bank accounts, process bank loans, make requests for insurance cover, and incorporate/register new companies with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Besides, it would address the applications for building plan approvals/permits, issuance of certificates of occupancies (C-of-Os), and value to security and regulatory agencies, among others.
“With LUPAR, it is hoped that 95 per cent of all problems related to lack of data, inadequate personnel and stress on development control will be significantly addressed. This shall lead to situations where our colleagues in government can now rely on LUPAR as a companion in their decision making processes. A combination of two or three LUPARs in the same neighbourhood will, if carefully joined together, provide an updated base map of the neighbourhood at zero cost to the Town Planning Authority.”
He added that the expanded areas of its application cut across various sectors of the economy, many of which have relevance to the financial sector and regulatory agencies.
Reveling in the benefits effective land use template, the Kaduna State Chapter Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Muhammad Lawal Ubale said the state has been fortunate since its inception in having plans for its development.
He reminisced that, “The first plan was drawn in 1913. The Kaduna master plan was prepared in 1967 to cover the planning period from 1961 to 2017. In 2010, the master plan was reviewed and Kaduna Spatial Development Framework was prepared for a planning period from 2010 to 2050. You may also wish to know that Kaduna became the administrative capital of Northern Nigeria from 1917 to 1959.
“It became the regional headquarters of Northern Nigeria from 1960 to 1966. In 1969, Kaduna became the capital North Central State up to 1975. Kaduna also became the capital of old Kaduna State which included the present Katsina State.
‘’Finally, Kaduna became capital of the Kaduna State from 1989 to date. The experience of Kaduna as a regional capital and the role it is playing in Northern Nigeria and Nigeria in general cannot be overemphasised.”
In other states like Lagos the preparation of the development plans like Apapa Model City Plan, Agege Model City Plan and the Review of Ikoyi-Victoria Island Model City Plan are ongoing.
It is therefore not surprising when the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Anifowoshe Abiola , a Town Planner declared that the Badagry Development Master Plan will not in any way be compromised in view of the economy viability of the axis and its importance to the growth of the state economy.
He said the state government will continue to pursue the development plans of Badagry and Ojo in order to open up the axis for more government presence as well as improve the welfare and wellbeing of residents in the area.
According to him, Lagos, unlike any other city in the country, requires adequate planning considering its limited landmass and its ever increasing population which is considered to be growing faster than that of the states of New York and Los Angeles in the United States of America.
Corroborating the commissioner, the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, Toyin Abdul also a Town Planner said it is in view of the strategic location of Badagry, the state government had embarked on the expansion of Lagos-Badagry Expressway into ten lanes including BRT lanes as well as the provision of Light Rail.
Source : Leadership
