LAGOS STATE AND HER MODEL CITIES; THE MASTERPLAN
In 1975 Lagos state govt together with the federal govt commissioned Doxiadis Associates International to prepare the Lagos state Regional Plan (1980 – 2000) and the Masterplan for Metropolitan Lagos (1980 – 2000) by Wilbur Smith and Associates who were appointed by the United Nations. These plans identified Lekki as the key growth corridor of Lagos Island.
Lagos State Govt has taken the initiative to formulate a series of model city plans and masterplans across Lagos state, to better manage the physical growth and development of the investment direction within Lagos State. These planned model cities include;
*Ikoyi -Victoria Model City Plan (2006)
*Ikeja Model City Plan (2009)
*Alimosho Model City Plan (2011)
*Badagry Masterplan (2013)
*The Mainland Central Model City Plan (2013)
*The Lekki Pennisula Masterplan (2013)
*The Epe Masterplan (2016)
Lekki Peninsula stretches from the heavily urbanized Victoria Island (VI) to the west, to the sparsely populated Refuge Island in the East, a distance of approximately 70-80km with a width of 10km.
The overall area for which the master plan was prepared is estimated to be about 60,000 hectares excluding areas allocated for the Free Trade Zone, Sea port, and International Airport.
The proposed Peninsula Master Plan envisaged as a “Blue-Green Environment City” divides Lekki into 5 Linear development zones (excluding the Lekki Free Trade Zone):
The Lagoon Zone – tourism with mixed uses, commercial and business
The North Urban Zone – Largely New Residential
The Natural Park Zone – environmental and nature conservation park
The South Urban Zone – existing and new residential with commercial/mixed uses as well as light industry
The Atlantic Coastal Zone – Mainly tourism and recreational
For each zone, clear planning and building regulations were provided which define the permitted land uses, buildings and population densities, built-up areas, floor area ratios, transport and circulation modes, road networks, community support facilities, and urban character.
The potential of the Lekki Peninsula to accommodate large-scale urban growth east of Victoria Island has long been recognized. In the past, there have been several development plans prepared which set out development strategies for Lagos state, notable amongst these were;
Lagos State Regional Plan (1980 – 2000)
Masterplan for Metropolitan Lagos (1980 – 2000)
Existing unplanned and informal urban and rural developments posed a major constraint to the successful implementation of the Master Plan. Thus, special measures and actions were implemented to address it. Areas like;
Lagos State Masterplan: The western urban area of Lekki Phase 1
Which was identified as a Priority Action Area to establish a comprehensive major road network, promote reclamation along Lagos Lagoon, establish links between the western and eastern parts of the Peninsula, and the strong linkages with new bridges to ease traffic congestion
Existing Rural Villages (Badore, Okon-Ajah, etc..)
From the 1980s onwards, there has been increasing pressure for growth within indigenous settlements. The designation of Excised Villages was a response by the state govt to the demands of the villagers. It was envisaged that villagers would produce their plans which identified locations for essential social infrastructures, housing needs, and Land for commercial activities. This means Villagers tended to sell off their land to speculative developers. However, the value of land within these areas is increasing to such an extent that it will be difficult to protect it for lower-value activities such as agriculture, this may in the long term lead to the rezoning of such land for development.
Regional Highways
A comprehensive road hierarchy will enable traffic to move freely throughout the study area. The Masterplan strategy is to build four main “East to West” corridors;
The Lekki Concession Expressway –
the existing main road through the peninsula
The Coastal Highway – part of the Trans-Africa Highway
The Northern Regional Road – along the present alignment of an existing track
The Lagoon Coast road – yet to be constructed
The construction of the Coastal Highway is likely to dictate land use activities along the valuable Atlantic Coastal Zone, as well as providing a second, non-tolled access to the Lagos urban area from the east.
The Lagoon Coast road will run alongside the Lagos lagoon shoreline extending from Victoria Island, over proposed reclamation areas, towards the new international airport, eventually linking up with the Epe bridge
The proposed site for the New International Airport – The new airport is also well positioned to provide freight services to the LFTZ and any associated seaport. Air freight is vital to the regional and global markets, which will bring in goods and workers.
The Lekki Free Trade Zone – The free trade zone is jointly operated and managed by Nigerian/Chinese investors who focus mainly on manufacturing and processing industries. The LFTZ development is in three (3) Phases;
The Immediate Term (Phase 1) – This will be developed as the China-Nigeria Economic and Trade Cooperation (CNETCZ). Covering about 10km2, with access to other areas via the Lekki Coastal Expressway.
The Mid-Term (Phase 2 & 3) – This includes additional logistics and warehouses, the seaport, the Dangote refinery and petrochemicals, an industrial park, and other industrial/manufacturing parks which will cover 62km2
The Future Term (Phase 4 & 5) – This includes the construction of bridges across Lekki Lagoon to link the north and south Peninsulas. The total workforce plus family members population within the LFTZ is estimated to be 112,000. In addition, there is a provision for a gas power plant, water treatment plant, and wastewater treatment plants for residents in the Ibeju-Lekki axis. These developments will create an economic, healthy, and luxurious lifestyle for early residents and future investors.
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