Last Wednesday I had lunch with Prof. Jim Coleman, who undertakes economic feasibility studies for Free Economic Zones, new towns and other ambitious masterplans in West Africa and elsewhere in the world. Our conversation was useful for my upcoming implementation essay.Jim made some comments on the Lekki site choice and noted the (relative) proximity to the new Free Trade Zone, which would add to the hotel users. If the hotel part of the project caters for business travelers, it needs to be of a high standard, not ‘an average three star’. Such establishment could preferably have all facilities required for a long term ‘gated’ stay, such as a business centre, swimming pool and gym.
Jim questioned the order of phases and noted the importance of accomodation coming in early on in order to start generating profit for the school, given the potential number of customers associated with the Lekki FTZ, Lekki master plan, fourth Mainland bridge and other large developments in the area requiring external non-African input.
In relation to phasing our conversation has also lead me to think about the possible final phases accomodation more permanent stay and work activities – on site apartments and office accomodation for transient populations.
Jim and I also discussed some activities i could undertake in Hong Kong for the implementation essay. These would include meeting potential investors , real estate developers and hotel operators who could comment on the preferences for a new establishment in Lagos. Given the amount of Chinese and Hong Kong money and idea investment into West African projects, there would be a number of people and companies to speak to. The similarities between Shenzhen and Lekki, noted by Michiel Hulshof and architect Daan Roggeveen in Facing East: Chinese Urbanism in Africa (2015) also make it worthwhile visiting some of the Chinese economic zones to have an idea of what the far-eastern side of Lekki Peninsula might be similar to in 10-20 years.
On a side note, a recent article in the Economist reviewed the stark differences between land use and ownership in Hong Kong’s rural and urban areas, related to some indigenous land use rights. One of my trip’s objectives would be to draw parallels with the indigenous influences observed in Lagos and Accra.
no.balsa 