Lagos Housing Fair to Discuss Climate Change

Stakeholders in the Nigerian housing and construction industry are set to discuss how the sector can adapt to the phenomenon of climate change at the Lagos Housing Fair.

The stakeholders, who will gather at the 13th Lagos Housing Fair in Ikeja between April 29 and May 4, are expected to focus on contemporary issues in housing development as well as create a forum for cross-fertilisation of ideas that will help mitigate the effects of climate change.

According to the Chairman, Lagos Housing Fair Committee, Mr. Moses Ogunleye, the theme for this year’s edition is: ‘Climate change and housing delivery’.

He said the theme was hinged on the need to beam searchlight on the implications of climate change on housing development.

Ogunleye said, “We intend to direct the nation’s attention to the debilitating effects that climate change could have on all aspects of delivery. These include design, land use management, material usage and specification, construction methodology, infrastructure and finance.

“Besides, the theme is to focus on the issue of mitigation plans for housing management in view of the continuous likely negative impact of climate change on the housing sector. From available records, the climate will impact heavily on the building sector.”

Ogunleye, who spoke at a press conference to herald the fair, said the predictions of heavy rainfall for the year meant that buildings must be designed to withstand rainstorms as increased rainfall could threaten buildings’ foundations.

He said building designs must be made to enhance ventilation and natural lightning in order to reduce energy consumption, adding that materials for construction should not only be durable and cost effective, but climate proven.

The chairman, who is also a town planner, said, “How do we achieve this as a developing country with a large number of people living below the poverty line? To us at the Lagos Housing Fair, we believe the first attempt is to educate the public on the reality and likely impacts of climate change.

“We believe the fair remains a good platform to highlight issues of mitigation strategies for climate change for developers, manufacturers, researchers as well as policy makers.”

The fair is being jointly organised by Beachland Resources Limited and Radio Lagos/Eko FM.

Source: THE PUNCH