Ilorin – Urban planning experts have called on state governments across the country to develop a well projected master plan for state capitals with appropriate provisions for social infrastructure.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the colloquium on road sustainability organised by the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) at the University of Ilorin on Tuesday.
The communiqué signed by the RCE, Unilorin Focal Person, Prof. Alabi Olayemi, noted that new town development could be projected as satellite towns in places like Ganmo, Amayo, Ogbondoroko, Oke Ose/Oke Oyi, Eiyenkorin, Jimba and Agbabiaka/Idofian extension in Kwara.
They noted that development of housing estate in these and other locations would ease transportation and movement of people to the inner city.
They noted that rapid growth of cities without proper planning has brought about various environmental problems.
They listed such problem as traffic congestion or holdups, competition for space, poor packing space, noise pollution, traffic accidents and unsustainable use of infrastructural facilities.
They suggested, “there should be land reclamation with appropriate compensations paid instantly, and landfills location should be turned into wealth creation centres.”
The Communiqué further stressed the urgent need for expansion of existing roads and creation of necessary and supporting infrastructure.
“There is also the need for government to work on the beautification of the inner city, roadsides and strategic locations as well as bus stations.
“The beautification will include parks and gardens, resort centres, malls and creation of high rising parks,” the communiqué added.
Specifically, the discussants wanted Kwara government to build or create parking spaces, especially high rising parking spaces with modern facilities like resting places, malls restaurants, games centres, at specific locations within Ilorin city.
According to them, such parking spaces would reduce roadside parking, generate employment and generate revenue for investors.
The communiqué said that there should be enforcement mechanism to control the parking spaces.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two papers presented for discussion were: “Planning for Sustainable Transportation and Land Use in Ilorin” and “Sustaining our Roads through Open Urban Spaces and Green Infrastructures: A Case Study of the Unilorin Transportation Corridor.” (NAN)
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