Infrastructure bonds, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Municipal Bonds and the Capital Market have been identified as financial platforms which stakeholders and experts in the building and construction industry must optimize to achieve the much-desired dream of a sustainable urban future for all.
This formed part of suggestions by resource persons during a webinar organized by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development (CHSD) and ARUA Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities to mark World Cities Day 2023 on Monday, October 30, 2023. The event provided an avenue for the experts to share their thoughts on efforts by stakeholders towards driving urbanization in Nigeria.
The webinar which had the theme: “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All” featured Mr Femi Adewole (Consultant, Urban Economics International Limited) as Lead Speaker; while the Panelists were Mrs Tosin Ajose (Lead Advisor, Deal HQ Partners); Mr Ayodeji Mr. Innocent Unah (FSI Securities Limited, Lagos) and Adulrauf of Think Start-Up Beyond Borders. Dr. Esther Thontteh of CHSD, UNILAG served as Moderator.
The resource persons applauded the UNILAG Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development and the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Urbanization and Habitable Cities led by Professor Timothy Nubi and Professor Taibat Lawanson, for hosting the webinar in a bid to ensure cross-fertilization of ideas towards achieving sustainable cities for the good of all.
Mr Femi Adewole emphasized the need to empower cooperative societies as well as establishment of municipal bonds as obtainable in advanced economies to broaden sources for capital to fund the infrastructural sector.
Mrs Tosin Ajose spoke on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) structures being pillars in the attainment of sustainable cities. While hinting at the need for urbanization strategies to be ESG compliant for easy access to capital, Mrs Ajose called for Green Building Principles with emphasis on site sustainability, social and environmental considerations, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation and other environmentally friendly standards.
Mr Ayodeji Adulrauf, in his presentation, spoke on measures to foster a community where ideas are translated into actionable changes. He harped on sustainability, resilience, adaptability, transformability, effective management of policies and optimization of strategies so as to achieve sustainable financing for Urbanization efforts.
The webinar to mark World Cities Day 2023 was organized to provide a platform for urban stakeholders to discuss challenges, share best practices and understand the influence of finance in shaping contemporary African cities. It was attended by stakeholders across all fields involved in environmental and urban management.
