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Infrastructure Renewal Programs: A Remedy To Lagos Megacity Challenges
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According to Lindan (1993), certainly, a megacity requires a stronger
financial base. The sheer size of funding required in sustaining a
megacity is beyond what a government could provide on its own. To this
end, Kadiri was of the view that both federal and Ogun state governments
should support Lagos in her efforts to sustain the challenges involved
as a result of its mega status through the urban renewal programmes.
According to Ogunleye, for the fact that many of the old slum areas are
not in hidden locations make it easier for government to incorporate
them in its urban renewal programmes. The formation of new slums is
prevented but people’s influx is however not controllable in Lagos
State, knowing full well that no legislation that frown against
migration to the city. But government will do well if it opens up new
settlement with the necessary infrastructure put in place. Although,
government has embarked on infrastructure renewal projects that include
the execution of on-going projects such as the light rail scheme from
Orile to Mile 2, the redevelopment of the Lagos-Badagry expressway into
ten lanes incorporating BRT lanes and light rails, on-going
reconstruction of the Mile 12-Ikorodu road incorporating BRT lanes, the
recently commissioned Ejigbo- Ajao Estate link bridge, recovery and
redevelopment of loops hitherto used by criminals as hide-outs among
others could only become feasible with a sustained system of funding.
Notwithstanding the profoundness of these projects, it appears that much
still need to be done to meet the need of millions of commuters on
daily basis.
The condition of the environment also constitutes a
major challenge to the Lagos megacity city. Lagos, for instance,
generates 10,000 tonnes of waste daily, almost three times higher than
what the whole of Ghana generates daily. Also, the kind of industrial
pollution experienced in Lagos is second to none in the country.
Maintenance of law and order is another major challenge of the Lagos
mega city. Though a mega city status is conferred on a city as a result
of population growth, building and sustaining a model mega city is not a
tea party as reflected in the Lagos experience. In the case of Lagos, a
major challenge, however, is how to cope with the ever-increasing
population of Lagos with its attendant consequences on infrastructure
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This
study considers the solution to the challenges of Lagos mega-cities
characterized by urbanization as an effective urban renewal programme.
This approach is aimed at providing housing, environmental policies and
planning strategies appropriate for facing the challenges of the urban
growth and development. A megacity is usually defined according to the
United Nation as a metropolitan area with a total population in excess
of 10 million people. Some definitions also set a minimum level for
population density (at least 2,000 persons/square km). A megacity can be
a single metropolitan area or more metropolitan, depending on the
definitions and boundaries being used. However, the researcher will
provide an overview about urban renewal programme as a remedy to Lagos
Mega city challenges.
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