Environment resilience, climate adaptation in focus as architects host forum

When built environment professionals and sundry stakeholders gathers tomorrow for the Lagos Architects Forum (LAF) hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Lagos Branch, discussions will centre chiefly on the environment resilience and changing climate conditions and adaptation.

The forum, which is an annual event, already in its 15th edition, is one of the thriving market–place of ideas on industry trends, new building methods, and latest input materials which are showcased on the sideline of the conference by investors, manufacturers and material marketers alike.

At a press conference recently to announce the forum and highlight its benefits, David Majekodunmi, chairman of the branch, along with Biodun Fatuyi, the vice chairman and other Exco members, assured that this year’s edition of the forum would be one of a kind.

“The theme of this year’s forum is ‘Lagos’s Resilience and Climate Adaptation’. We will be looking at how Lagos as a city copes with challenges like flooding, rapid urbanisation, and infrastructure strain due to climate change,” the chairman said.

“It’s about understanding sustainable developments such as green infrastructure, coastal protection, and community engagement in order to build resilience against future climate impacts. Absolutely, Lagos faces numerous challenges, but it’s also implementing innovative approaches to enhance its resilience and adapt to climate change,” he added.

Majekodunmi pointed out that strategies like green infrastructure, including rain gardens and permeable pavements, help manage storm water and reduce flooding, noting that coastal protection measures like seawalls and mangrove restoration are essential for safeguarding rising sea levels and storm surges.

“Additionally, community engagement programmes empower residents to participate in resilience-building efforts and foster a sense of ownership over their environment. These multifaceted approaches are crucial for ensuring that Lagos can thrive in the face of climate challenges,” he assured.

To highlight and deepen conversations around the focus of the forum, Fatuyi disclosed that an array of speakers has been assembled and they include Muyiwa Oki, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), who will be coming as keynote speaker and special guest of honour.

Others, according to the vice chairman, are Desmond Majekodunmi, an environment activist; Danjuma Waniko, a chartered surveyor and environmentalist; Olasupo Shashore, former Lagos State Attorney General; Folayinka Dania, chief resilience officer, and Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos commissioner for environment and water resources.

Fatuyi assured that whatever discussions and resolutions that will be arrived at from the forum would be communicated to the Lagos State government via a communiqué that will be issued at the end of the three-day event that will also see the participants visit projects sites of iconic buildings in the state.