The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners has issued a strong call for the full implementation of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law to properly manage the country's rapid urban growth and ensure sustainable development of cities and towns.
World Town Planning Day Celebration
This urgent appeal came as planners and urban development advocates worldwide marked the 76th World Town Planning Day (WTPD) on November 8. The annual event, established in 1949 by Argentinian professor Carlos Paolera, is observed in more than 30 countries through various activities including lectures, conferences, and community events.
This year's celebration carried the theme "With Planning, We Can!" which powerfully communicates how effective urban planning can transform communities and create pathways toward prosperity, social inclusion, and climate resilience.
NITP President's Urgent Message
In his commemorative statement, Dr. Chime Ogbonna, President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, emphasized that the theme captures the transformative power of proper planning to improve citizens' quality of life. He highlighted a crucial demographic projection: by 2050, over 60% of Africa's population will reside in urban areas.
"This significant demographic shift demands effective planning, administration, governance, and management," Ogbonna stated. "With planning, we can lead this transformation, starting with the implementation and domestication of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law across all states of the federation."
The NITP president stressed that this legal framework would provide the necessary structure to guide urban growth and ensure Nigerian towns, cities, and regions develop sustainably. He reiterated that planning remains fundamental to building sustainable communities, stimulating economic growth, and strengthening governance at all levels.
Global Support for Planning Systems
Meanwhile, the Global Planners Network (GPN) has echoed similar sentiments, calling for renewed investment in planning systems and professionals worldwide. The international group described planning as "a central part of the solution" to many pressing global challenges, including housing shortages, climate change impacts, and social inequality.
In their statement, GPN emphasized that "with planning, we can unlock sustainable, inclusive, equitable, prosperous, and resilient places. We can guide the delivery of better outcomes for people in municipalities and regions around the world."
The network highlighted planning's crucial role in addressing climate impacts, facilitating disaster recovery, and future-proofing communities while helping build the neighborhoods of tomorrow.
As the world approaches the tenth anniversary of the New Urban Agenda, GPN reaffirmed planning's critical role in achieving sustainable development goals. They called for adequate resourcing of planning systems, including investment in planning education and human capacity development to address the global shortage of planning professionals.
The network urged global leaders to recognize that investment in planning represents an investment in both people and the planet, asserting that the discipline remains indispensable for sustainable urbanization and effective climate action.
