Inclusive cities

The Makoko-Iwaya Waterfront regeneration plan is a comprehensive people centered development framework. The major objective is ensuring participation and community ownership. The plan looks at all facets of life and development.  This plan, if implemented, could turn Makoko/Iwaya community into a worldwide showcase of a sustainable and flood-resilient lifestyle.

A climate-resilient Lagos metropolitan area will not come about by packing several million new residents along a fragile coastline, and spending billions of dollars to hold back the sea. The cheapest and most effective solutions will only come into view by adopting a regional planning approach in which all levels of authority responsible for the Lagos metropolitan area come together to find ways to accommodate these new millions in safe areas as fast as possible, before they have no alternative but to settle themselves in harm’s way.

The Makoko and Iwaya Waterfront communities have been described as slum areas, even as ‘an eye sore’ or a ‘scourge’ of Lagos. Living on land and on water, the communities have defied several attempts at eviction, and are living largely un-served by public amenities such as electricity, water and sanitation. Fabienne Hölzel, international urban planning expert, has undertaken research with Makoko community members – especially women – and argues that living on water is the great strength of these communities, which the world should learn from.

The Eko Atlantic project is portrayed by Lagos State Government and developers as a model of sustainability, climate change adaptation and economic growth. However, reconciling plans for economic development and environmental protection with the aim of achieving social justice for all requires more open debate and participatory planning.

Sea level rise is damaging the Atlantic coast between Megacity Lagos and Calabar towards Cameroon, eating away up to 30 meters of coastline every year. Fishing communities have moved inland, but are now running out of options as they are encroaching on built lands and communities. Is it all the fault of humans angering the Sea Goddess? Watch video to hear the perspectives of residents of Alfa Beach community in Lagos.

Kunle Adeyemi, a Nigerian architect based in Amsterdam, was equally fascinated by the way of living of the Makoko community. He argues that Makoko and other water communities embody a unique synthesis of socio-political relations, economic networks, architecture and spatial presence that collectively push at the frontiers of urbanism. The “Floating School” which he developed and built in collaboration with the community opened an international debate on visionary forms of architecture to adapt to the challenges of flood and population growth

Eko Atlantic City project claims to be more than a city, it wants to be “a clear vision of the future”. Apart from the controversial impact of the seawall and sand filling on the adjacent coast, the project seems to have missed out the opportunity of becoming an innovative and visionary approach for a “green” African model city which combines environmentally-friendly urban living with social inclusiveness. A group of young architects and town planners interested in promoting ideas of sustainable architecture and low-impact passive energy strategies - the “Code Green Campaign” - developed its own suggestions for a greener city