25/03/2024
LASG EMBARKS ON STATE-WIDE MAPPING OF INFORMAL URBAN SPACES
Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA), has embarked on drone mapping of Informal Urban Spaces( IUS) in the State with the aim of sanitising the critical landed areas.
The exercise is expected to tackle misuse of Informal Urban Spaces, which are lands emerging from the ex*****on and delivery of public infrastructure in the State such as the Abule-Egba Jubilee Bridge, the Blue and Red rail lines projects among others.
This initiative underscores the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda and commitment to proactive and inclusive Urban Management, and Sustainable Development practices that are in tandem with Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, in line with the SDG Goal 11, which is about making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Obviously, LASPEMA, an agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development - Office of Physical Planning, has the mandate to coordinate the sustainable use of all informal urban spaces, most of which emerged as a result of the ex*****on and delivery of infrastructure projects by the government.However, the uncoordinated take-over of such spaces
and the basterdisation of existing land use by different actors must not be left to fester.
Speaking to the media on the mapping exercise, the General Manager, Lagos State Planning and Environmental Monitoring Authority (LASPEMA), Tpl. Daisi Oso says: "The State has, over the years, witnessed the unguided use of these spaces and contended with their unauthorised governance by non-state actors whose activities hinder the growth of Informal Business and impinge on the effectiveness of physical development plans."
Tpl Oso says this problem if not addressed and tackled headlong, will result in a serious crisis that will adversely affect the State's critical infrastructure and by extension, the economy of the Center of Excellence as the Informal Economy is quite huge, dynamic and must be subjected to proper regulation, coordination and monitoring to breed orderliness, aesthetics and sustainability of the Urban face of Lagos.
One of the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, where the LASPEMA team carried out the mapping exercise was Agbado-Oke Odo LCDA, where the Chairman, Hon. David Famuyiwa, who was eager to receive the team, expressed confidence in LASPEMA effort as a sign of the deep commitment of Lagos State Government to addressing challenges facing the Abule Egba Jubilee Bridge area.
The Council boss further suggested that engaging with local leaders and stakeholders was a crucial step in understanding issues at hand and developing effective solutions.
“Their input and support will be valuable as they work towards mitigating misuse and abuse of emerging lands in the area” he said.
The Drone Mapping exercise, spearheaded by LASPEMA GM was with the collaboration of both the Office of Physical Planning, under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, and the Office of Urban Development, under the headship of the Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde.
LASPEMA has been able to seize the opportunity to leverage and harness the power of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to create detailed and accurate maps of emerging lands in urban spaces of the State for the purpose of deploying sustainable planning strategies that will enhance inclusivity.
The Drone Mapping Initiative underscores the Agency's commitment to embracing innovation and technology as catalysts for positive change.
According to Tpl. Oso : “As we embark on this transformative journey, LASPEMA invites MDAs that have nexus with Informal Urban Spaces, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to join us in shaping a more sustainable, resilient, and livable city for generations to come.”
