Sustainable building in focus as GBCN, IFC host future cities summit

Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) say preparations are upbeat to host the Future Cities Summit with a special focus on addressing sustainable building practices.

The summit which IFC will be hosting through its EDGE Green Building Market Transformation Programme is also aimed to accelerate net zero and climate resiliency in urban development in Nigeria.

The organisers, Green Building Council, Nigeria, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the event would take place on July 19-20, 2023 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria, hoping that it would bring together key stakeholders within the real estate and construction sector.

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“The event, which has as theme, ‘Towards a Net Zero and Climate-Resilient Nigeria,’ aims to catalyze change in the built environment by exploring innovative strategies and policies to enhance green practices for buildings, while simultaneously fostering the creation of sustainable cities,” Danjuma Waniko, chartered environmentalist and president of GBCN, said.

He added that the event aligned with the World Green Building Council’s Africa Manifesto for Sustainable Cities and the Built Environment which outlined a comprehensive roadmap to guide Africa’s transition to greater urban sustainability.

According to him, the Future Cities Summit would serve as a crucial platform for about 1,000 built environment professionals and stakeholders, providing opportunities for thought leadership, industry networking, sustainability advocacy, and recognition of initiatives.

He said that participants could expect engaging panel discussions, interactive sessions, and insightful presentations from renowned experts in the field, sharing their knowledge and experiences to drive positive change.

“Through the Future Cities Summit, GBCN and IFC’s EDGE will provide an avenue to empower attendees with the shared vision of policies and programmes needed to create net zero and resilient Nigerian cities, showcase sustainable building practices and highlight the progress achieved in green buildings in Nigeria,” Waniko assured.