The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to review the Abuja Master Plan without compromising designated parks and green areas.
The President of REDAN, Akintoye Adeoye, made the appeal in an exclusive interview with reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.
Adeoye, the paramount ruler of Okeigbo community in Ondo State, advocated the redevelopment of low-density neighbourhoods into high-rise buildings as an alternative to encroaching on parks and environmentally sensitive areas.
He noted that redevelopment has enabled many cities worldwide to accommodate growing populations while preserving green spaces and environmental heritage.
“In areas dominated by low-rise buildings, you can demolish them and replace with high-rise buildings to accommodate more people.
“Parks should be treated as legacy infrastructure that should not be touched.
“Your parks are part of your ecosystem. If you continue to damage your ecosystem, it is not good enough,” he said.
The REDAN president noted that master plans are dynamic documents that should be reviewed when necessary to address emerging urban challenges and support city growth.
“One thing about the Master Plan is that it is subject to change. It is not static.
“But in changing the Master Plan, it must be done in a way that addresses existing problems or challenges,” he added.
Adeoye cautioned against altering designated parks and green areas, describing them as essential environmental assets that must be preserved despite pressure from urban development.
“I don’t know the reason why the parks are being touched.
“But if the reason is that we do not have land and we need to take part of the green areas, then I disagree with whoever is doing that,” he said.
He recommended that cities should expand by opening up new areas through infrastructure development rather than converting parks and green spaces into residential or commercial developments.
“Governments should extend roads, electricity, water supply and transportation infrastructure to undeveloped areas to accommodate population growth without destroying environmental assets,” Adeoye said.
He reiterated that while the Abuja Master Plan could be reviewed to address emerging development challenges, such reviews must not affect designated parks and green areas.
