Key Takeaways
- A Nigerian architect presented a vision for sustainable urban development at the 61st IFLA World Congress in France.
Sustainable Urban Development Vision
A Nigerian architect and landscape designer recently shared insights on sustainable city development at the 61st World Congress of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) in Nantes, France. His paper, titled “From Grey to Green: Modelling European Industrial Cities through Native Ecosystems and Digital Landscape Innovation,” explored how artificial intelligence (AI) and native ecosystems can address climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban resilience.
He emphasized the necessity of design in confronting modern challenges such as affordable housing, climate migration, energy transition, and the formation of inclusive, smart cities. “I see AI and data-driven design not as threats, but as tools to create sustainable, equitable, and inspiring environments for future generations,” he stated.
Reflecting on his journey, the architect recounted how his father introduced him to architecture in Nigeria, where he first witnessed the transformation of sketches into tangible projects. His path began with undergraduate studies in architecture at Bells University of Technology in Nigeria, followed by a focus on landscape architecture at Newcastle University in the UK. His dissertation reimagined a contaminated site in Gateshead, turning it into a play park to reduce antisocial behavior, which integrated ecological principles, social justice, and adaptive reuse of land.
His professional experience spans diverse sectors in both Nigeria and the UK, covering residential, educational, hospitality, and religious projects. He has managed construction from initial setting-out to foundation. During his time in the UK, he balanced work and academic research amidst the cost-of-living crisis, a challenge that he believes cultivated resilience and reinforced his commitment to making a global impact.
In addition to his architectural pursuits, he has launched a business exporting palm oil to connect Nigerian agriculture with global markets. He is actively engaging policymakers in Nigeria to develop regional strategies, illustrating his broader vision to utilize design and business as means for positive change, job creation, and community wellbeing.
Looking to the future, the architect intends to pursue charters with both the Landscape Institute (LI) in the UK and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). He aspires to enhance his influence across Africa, Europe, and America. “Ultimately, I want to be recognised not only for creating buildings and landscapes, but for building futures: futures that are greener, smarter, and more humane,” he concluded.
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