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By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
An Urban and Regional Planner, Dr Abubakar Olaseni, has called for the protection of Nigeria’s cultural heritage as a means of promoting sustainable urban development and preserving the nation’s unique identity.
Olaseni said this at the 4th edition of the TPL Dr Abubakar Olaseni Annual Lecture Series, which held on Thursday at Yusuf Grillo Hall, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), in Lagos.
The event which had the theme: “Heritage at Risk: Rethinking Nigeria’s Urban Development Trajectory”, was part of activities to mark Olaseni’s 64th birthday.
He noted that government, private sector and communities needed to collaborate to develop sustainable urban planning strategies that would protect heritage sites and buildings amidst economic development.
According to him, it’s amazing to note that one of the major drivers of tourism in the world is the robustness of preservation of the nation’s culture and heritage.
“For our Lagos to continuously enjoy inherent benefits in the preservation of heritage sites, the government should invest in preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage.
“The government can do this through the establishment of heritage institutions, funding research and documentation of heritage sites and incorporating heritage education into school curriculum,” he added.
Earlier, Prof. Taibat Lawanson, Leverhulme Professor of Planning and Heritage, who doubled as Guest Lecturer at the event, said that culture was key and would be instrumental in the shift to a better urban future.
Lawanson said that professional practices and innovations are an asset of the future, adding that there was an urgent need for a paradigm shift on culture as sustainable development.
According to her, placing culture in the heart of development policies is the only way to ensure a human-centred, inclusive and equitable future.
“Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to how heritage assets can foster urban well-being and sense of belonging, and on what policies, priorities and politics are needed to effect positive change.
The guest lecturer thanked Olaseni for his contributions in the sector, saying, “your contributions to planning, practice and education are both admirable and inspiring.
“With dignity and quiet mien, you have taught, trained, mentored and supported generations of urban planning students and this annual celebration is a testament of how impactful you have been in many lives,” she said.
In his remark, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector, Yabatech, described the theme as both timely and essential, saying it challenged people to critically evaluate how cities are evolving and balancing structured planning with the organic dynamism of urban life.
He noted that Lagos, being the focus city, exemplified the complex interplay between formal planning and the unstructured yet vibrant realities shaped by its people.
“As urban practitioners, academics, and policymakers, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our planning strategies embrace inclusivity, sustainability and cultural relevance,” the rector noted.
Abdul was represented by Dr Ismaila Badmus, Deputy Rector, Academics, Yabatech. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
English (US) ·