Unilag Tutorial

Today I have had some project tutorials with three academics of Lagos University.

Prof Igwe is an architectural historian focusing on Nigerian Colonial Architecture. He agreed with my point that Lekki masterplan is not progressing uniformly as there are only residential areas being built making Lekki a dormitory. This is also caused by lack of infrastructure (proper electricity, road drainage, public transpoertation, etc) which will follow as the demand for residential developments falls. When some of the infrastructure is provided (such as buses and rail to Lekki Free Trade Zone), the area will experience a growing demand for commercial, recreational,  office and other developments proposed by the masterplan.

Unlike Lagos mainland, which had individual pockets of planned development surrounded by sprawling unplanned zones, Lekki has a masterplan. Mr. Igwe therefore thinks, the different elements will fall into the right places with time.

Dr Jerry Obifuna’s PhD considers Lekki Peninsula (together with Victoria Island) as a barrier island, subject to change and deformation due to ocean forces in this time of climate change.

In order to plan new developments in being aware of the unpredictable nature of Lekki Ground, Dr Jerry recommended me to look at the last section of his PhD (with advice to architects and planners of Lekki) and various barrier island examples along the US East coast and Texas and in the Venice Lagoon.

Dr Nnezi Uduma-Olugu’s PhD argues in favour of developing Lagos waterway transport and use of the Lagoos, particularly for tourism purposes. She recommended me to incorporate tourism education into the project and to choose a site in relation to the Lagoon, thinking about the potential water transport.

View from the Unilag Library