By Olaniyi Yusuf
Today, we find ourselves at an extraordinary crossroad in history as we are faced with rapid changes in information and communication technology (ICT) and increased digitalisation. This unprecedented advancement in ICT has led to the temptation to splash concrete everywhere, automate all processes and digitise all services, sometimes using robots and AI agents, all in the pursuit of modernisation,‘soft life’ and economic growth.
Cities, the vibrant epicentres of human activities and the beating hearts of civilisation, are undergoing unprecedented transformations fuelled by powerful global trends. These forces—ranging from rapid technological advancements to climate change and shifting societal dynamics—offer immense opportunities for growth and innovation. Yet, they also amplify the challenges we face, demanding that you evolve as town planners.
Town planners are already well-acquainted with the complexities of managing rapid urbanisation, addressing infrastructural deficits-road, housing, transportation, water, telecoms, electricity and security among others, and promoting sustainability. However, the global trends today go beyond these immediate concerns. They will redefine the very essence of urban living, challenging us to reimagine our roles, embrace innovative tools, and adopt forward-thinking approaches.
As we navigate these transformative times, town planners must remember that their work is pivotal not only to the cities of today but to the generations that will inhabit them tomorrow. They must have a strong sense of accountability to preserve our heritage while embracing the infinite possibilities of the future, by creating resilient, inclusive, and visionary urban landscapes.
Town planners and the sustainable development goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted in 2015 by the United Nations to transform the world and they do have significant implications for town planning and for town planners.
The first goal is to eliminate poverty in all its forms by 2030 worldwide. The World Bank estimates that 129 million Nigerians were living in poverty in 2024 while 63 per cent of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor.
Town planning can help by strategically designing cities to provide better access to essential services like healthcare, education, public transportation, water and sanitation, renewable energy, affordable housing, and green spaces, which can significantly improve the quality of life for marginalised communities and create a more equitable distribution of resources across urban areas; this includes prioritising mixed-use development, creating walkable neighbourhoods, and incorporating sustainable infrastructure that supports economic growth and community resilience.
The second goal aims to end hunger and achieve food security and improved nutrition by 2030. Nigeria continues to suffer from food insecurity with a deepening hunger crisis putting over 33m people at risk in 2025.
Town planning must enable agriculture, transport corridors, processing zones and industrial areas by strategically designing urban spaces to promote sustainable food production, improve access to food markets, facilitate efficient food distribution networks, and encourage community-based initiatives for growing food within urban areas, ultimately enhancing food security for residents.
The third goal focuses on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for people of all ages. Life expectancy in Nigeria is low at 62.2 years and access to health insurance is poor with about 20m persons enrolled.
Town planning and urban renewal must prioritise people’s health and wellbeing by designing urban environments to facilitate access to healthcare facilities, promote active transportation like walking and cycling, provide green spaces for recreation, ensure adequate sanitation and clean water supply, promoting affordable housing with adequate ventilation and natural light for improved indoor air quality and encourage social interaction and community building while mitigating environmental hazards like air pollution.
The fourth goal is to ensure that all people have access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. Nigeria has more than 10m children out of school and adult literacy was 63 per cent in 2021 compared to 97 per cent in China.
Town planning must cater for inclusive access to educational facilities in addition to encouraging students of town planning to do field visits to diverse habitats in both urban and rural environments.
The goal is to end gender discrimination, achieve gender equality and empower women and girls to ensure females have equal opportunities in the workplace. Nigeria ranks 139 out of 156 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index indicating high level of gender inequality.
Town planning can help by designing public spaces that are safe and accessible for women and girls, considering their specific needs; integrating gender-sensitive infrastructure like lighting and public toilets; ensuring proximity to essential services like healthcare, education, markets, public transportation; and actively engaging women in the planning process to address their concerns and priorities. Furthermore, implementing zoning regulations that promote mixed-use development to facilitate women’s access to work and services, placing public spaces in visible areas with surveillance options, and addressing issues related to women’s land ownership to empower their participation in development.
The sixth goal is to ensure everyone has access to clean water and sanitation. Only 19.1 per cent of this goal has been funded in Nigeria and approximately 48 million Nigerians still engage in open defecation according to findings from the 2021 WASH NORM report.
Town planning can design urban spaces to optimise water infrastructure, incorporate rainwater harvesting systems, prioritise accessible sanitation facilities, and consider community needs when developing new neighbourhoods, thus ensuring equitable access to clean water and proper sanitation for all residents, especially in rapidly growing urban areas. In addition, town planning must design efficient water distribution and piping networks that reach all areas of a city, including marginalised communities, to minimise water loss and ensure equitable access. Town planning can promote greywater recycling by designing systems to reuse treated wastewater for non-potable uses like irrigation to reduce overall water demand and incorporate robust sewage collection systems to prevent contamination of water sources and promote proper sanitation.
The seventh goal is to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. As of 2022, 60.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population had access to electricity. However, access to electricity is uneven across the country, with rural areas having the lowest access.
Town planning must integrate renewable energy sources like solar into urban design, facilitating infrastructure development for efficient energy distribution and promoting energy-efficient building practices like natural lighting, ultimately making clean energy more accessible and cost-effective for communities.
The eighth goal is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by providing decent work for all. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as at first quarter of 2024, 84 per cent of Nigeria’s working-class population is self-employed and 92.7 per cent of the employed population are working in the informal sector including jobs that are not regulated by formal labour laws and that lack social protection.
Town planners must design urban spaces that facilitate access to employment opportunities, encourage business development, provide adequate infrastructure, and prioritize inclusive development, thereby creating a conducive environment for both workers and businesses to thrive. Practices such as zoning areas for mixed-use development to facilitate proximity between residential areas and employment hubs, reducing commuting time and costs; locating industrial zones with necessary infrastructure like transportation networks to support efficient logistics and market access; designing pedestrian-friendly areas within commercial districts to promote local businesses and economic activity; investing in public transportation systems to connect different parts of the city and improve worker mobility; and designing affordable housing options near employment centers to improve accessibility for low-income populations.
The ninth goal is to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. Nigeria’s infrastructure stock is estimated to be 30 per cent of its GDP, which is below the World Bank’s international benchmark of 70 per cent. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria will need to invest $3 trillion over the next 30 years to address this infrastructure gap.
Land use and town planning must design urban spaces to include green spaces, industrial zones, innovation clusters, smart city technologies, green infrastructure, pedestrian friendly zones and integrated transportation networks to facilitate economic growth, attract investment, foster collaboration between businesses and research institutions, thus creating environments conducive to innovation and industrial development.
The tenth goal is to reduce inequalities within and among countries. This includes reducing inequalities in income, age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, and economic or other status. There is high income inequality (Gini index of 0.49) in Nigeria with the income of the top one per cent of the population being 37 times higher than the income of the bottom 50 per cent. The Lagos State Special Peoples’ Law (SPL) of 2011 protects the rights of people with disabilities in the State. The law provides for the provision of facilities at public buildings and prohibits discrimination and harmful treatment of people with disabilities in all aspects of life including health, education, work, and communication. The law encourages the government to promote the participation of people with disabilities in public life and politics.
Town planners must design cities to ensure equitable access to basic services like housing, transportation, healthcare, and education, particularly in marginalized areas, through initiatives like inclusive land use planning, developing mixed-income neighbourhoods, prioritizing public transportation, and integrating informal settlements into the urban fabric, ultimately creating more equitable and accessible urban environments for all residents.
The 11th goal is to promote practices that will make cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. A sustainable city is a city that is designed to reduce its environmental impact while also improving the quality of life for its residents. Sustainable cities are built on the principles of ecology, education, and equality. Lagos is ranked 170th out of 173 cities in the EIU’s livability index.
Town planners must actively manage land use, prioritizing efficient public transportation systems, incorporating green spaces, promoting energy-efficient building practices, actively engaging communities in the planning process, and developing climate-resilient infrastructure, all while ensuring equitable access to services and amenities for all residents. We must design and implement building codes that promote energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management and sustainable construction materials.
The 12th goal is to promote responsible use of natural resources, some of whomare endangered and non-replaceable, to improve the quality of life for all. Economic development has been bad for forests in Nigeria. As of 2005, Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) such that between 2000 and 2005 the country lost 55.7 per cent of its primary forests.
Town planning must design urban spaces to encourage efficient resource use, mixed use development and energy efficient building codes, prioritize walking and cycling, incorporate green infrastructure, promote local materials, implement waste management systems, educate communities about sustainable practices, and facilitate access to renewable energy sources, all while fostering collaboration with local stakeholders to tailor solutions to specific needs.
The 13th goal is to take urgent action to protect and preserve the climate, to combat climate change and its impacts. The 2022 Nigeria floods affected 33 states and many parts of the country, the floods displaced over 1.4 million people, killed over 603 people, and injured more than 2,400 people.
Town planning must design urban spaces to manage floods, droughts, heatwaves, erosion and extreme weather events, through measures to manage flood plains, incorporating green infrastructure like parks and open spaces to enhance quality of life and promote healthy living, planning for sustainable transportation options like cycling and walking paths to mitigate environmental impacts and designing energy-efficient buildings to reduce carbon footprint and operational costs.
The 14th goal is to conserve and use the oceans, seas, and marine resources in a sustainable way. Oil spills and plastic waste have ravaged our coastal areas. Nigeria generates about 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Shell in 2021 reported 3,300 tonnes of crude oil spills in Nigeria caused by sabotage, which was more than double the volume in 2020.
Town planning must design urban spaces to promote efficient water resources, conserve coastal and marine areas, and to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
The 15th goal is to protect and restore life on land. Nigeria is challenged by desertification in the north and erosion in the south, with some animal species such as the West African Lion, and the Western Gorilla been listed as a critically endangered species due to human activities.
Town planning must manage land use to ensure sustainable development, including protecting natural ecosystems, promoting access to essential services like water and sanitation, creating resilient communities against climate change, integrating agriculture with urban areas, and actively engaging local communities in the planning process, all while respecting existing land tenure systems and cultural practices.
The 16th goal is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. For over a decade, we have witnessed insecurity, terrorism, banditry and social strife in all 6 regions of the nation. According to SBM Intel, no fewer than 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 incidents across the country between July 2023 and June 2024. Town planners must design urban environments to provide infrastructure to all residents including marginalized communities to promote social cohesion and peaceful society.
The 17th goal is to strengthen the global partnership for sustainable development and improve the means of implementation. Nigeria has enjoyed technical and financial support from Global Foundations, UN Agencies and other multi-lateral institutions to improve sustainable development across the country. Town planners have a role to play and must partner with others for us to achieve all the 17 SDGs.
The SDGs are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and to make cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Whilst some may see goals six to 15 and goal 17 as directly impacting town planning, reality is that the 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognise that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. Hence, the creativity, knowhow, and involvement of town planners is necessary to achieve the 17 SDGs.
Sadly, 10 years after its launch, and six years to the end date of 2030, the world is far from realising the 17 SDGs. The 2024 assessment by the UNDP, ECA, and AfDB reveals that only six per cent of the 32 measurable SDG targets reviewed for Africa are on track to be achieved by 2030. Nigeria is on track to achieve only one (birth registration) of the 231 unique indicators of the SDGs by 2030. The United Nations (UN) estimates that annual investment of $5 to $7 trillion is required to achieve the SDGs. This includes investments in infrastructure, water and sanitation, clean energy, and agriculture. Adapting to climate change in developing countries is estimated to cost between $160 to $340 billion annually by 2030. This is the dimension of the SDG challenge before us and of which town planners can be an integral part of the solution.
The SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities is the SDG that is most specifically and directly related to sustainable cities and town planning. The SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Some of the relevant targets under SDG 11 include ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services; providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems; enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanisation and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management; strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage; reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management; and providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces.
Town planners, also known as urban planners, play a crucial role in shaping the development and functionality of cities and communities. They aim to create functional, sustainable, and livable environments that meet the needs of current and future residents. Their work involves balancing diverse interests and ensuring that development is both practical and forward-thinking.
Town planners are not just designers of physical spaces; they are visionaries who shape the future of cities. Their role goes far beyond planning and building structures. They must balance the intricate interplay of social, cultural, economic, environmental, and technological factors to create environments that are not only functional but also harmonious and sustainable. They must plan and design livable spaces that support community well-being, foster economic growth, and promote inclusivity.
Town planners have a big role to play in ensuring that urban development supports the needs of today and is sustainable and resilient for future generations. The decisions they make today will have a lasting impact, shaping the way cities evolve, grow, and thrive. In essence, they are the real guardian of the galaxies, the custodians of the future and their work is essential to planning more sustainable cities for all – tomorrow’s urban landscapes – where human and economic development thrives in harmony with nature.
Challenges of town planners
Yet, this noble responsibility is fraught with numerous challenges that urban planners must navigate daily. From limited resources and conflicting stakeholder interests to outdated policies and increasing public expectations, the task of urban planning becomes a delicate balancing act. We know urban planners face numerous challenges as they work to create sustainable and livable cities, including high population growth rate and rapid urbanisation leading to overcrowding, straining infrastructure and services; rural-urban migration that puts additional pressure on urban centres to provide housing and services; ensuring enough affordable housing to meet the needs of diverse populations; balancing the need for new infrastructure with the maintenance of existing facilities; environmental sustainability’s issues like pollution, waste management, deforestation and climate change; developing efficient public transportation systems and reducing traffic congestion are critical for urban mobility and addressing social and economic disparities to ensure that all residents have access to opportunities and services.
Other challenges included community involvement in the planning process, conflicting stakeholder interests, regulatory and policy constraints, technological integration, funding and budget constraints, corruption that impedes the planning process, shortage of qualified urban planners and professionals and rising crime rates and insecurity that affect the livability and attractiveness of urban areas.
We live in a VUCA world that is associated with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity and, as such, more challenges should be expected in the future. Urban planners must juggle these challenges while striving to create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities. Planners often find themselves caught between addressing immediate local needs, such as housing or infrastructure to support rapid urbanisation, and aligning those needs with long-term global sustainability goals, like green spaces, environmental protection and equitable growth. These challenges require town planners to adapt quickly, innovate, and rethink how you plan and design the cities of tomorrow. Theirs is a multifaceted and dynamic role that requires both vision and practicality in a VUCA world.
Global trends and impact on town planning
There are some global trends and forces that will have a major impact on town planning in the future. Some of these critical trends included digitalisation, artificial intelligence, information tsunami, innovations and increasingly demanding citizens, global geopolitics, population growth and urbanization, climate change and generational shift.
Digitalisation: a borderless world
In 2025 and beyond, digitalisation will continue to redefine global interactions, creating a borderless world where digital services and platforms dominate, enabling businesses to operate seamlessly across borders and individuals to connect on a global scale.
Data has become the new oil, powering innovation, driving decision-making, and unlocking economic opportunities. Digital platforms such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Netflix, Alphabet (Google, YouTube), Uber in the USA; as well as Alibaba, TenCent, Baidu, ByteDance (TitTok), Meituan (online marketplace and food delivery), Pinduoduo (social commerce), JD.Com in China are facilitating access to digital services for billions.
As nations and businesses increasingly leverage digital ecosystems, the need for robust urban planning, transportation, zoning regulations, telecommunication and other infrastructure, cybersecurity and data privacy frameworks become critical to harnessing the full potential of this transformative trend.
According to Allied Market Research, the global smart city market is projected to reach $1.03 trillion by 2030, growing at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5 per cent from 2023, and has implications for town planning, which must now be done not in the traditional model but for a digital world.
We are witnessing the rise of digital economies with countries using smart technology to plan cities and to deliver unique services. Estonia’s e-residency program and UAE’s remote working visa scheme are some noteworthy examples, which have implications for urban planning and job mobility.
NEOM is a new mega city in Saudi Arabia and is looking to be advanced and futuristic in its feel. The futuristic city is a solar-powered city with a hyperloop high-speed train and has a driving force to be run by intelligent tech with features such as glow in the dark sand and flying taxis to enable a 15-minute city concept where people can travel from one point to another in less than 20 minutes.
NEOM also includes a mirrored linear city called THE LINE, which is a cognitive city stretching across 170 kilometers, with no roads, cars or emissions, as it will run on 100 per cent renewable energy and 95 per cent of land will be preserved for nature. People’s health and wellbeing will be prioritised over transportation and infrastructure, unlike traditional cities. THE LINE will eventually accommodate 9 million people and will be built on a footprint of just 34 square kilometers. This will mean a reduced infrastructure footprint, creating never-before-seen efficiencies in city functions. Residents will also have access to all daily essentials within a five-minute walk, in addition to high-speed rail – with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.
The concept of the uber economy-ride sharing, is an emerging freelance and gig work model where anyone and everyone can work multiple jobs and take up employment on a part-time basis with everyone and everywhere. It is also an emerging economic model underpinned by technology that offers unparalleled flexibility, adaptability and instant gratification without the huge cost and burden of asset (vehicle) ownership.
While digitalisation promises efficiency, improved services and other opportunities, it also poses significant challenges: how can town planners integrate smart technologies- IoT, UAV, 3D printing, into the teaching, learning and practice of town planning? How can smart technologies be integrated into city planning despite aging infrastructure and in rural communities, to allow flexibllity for digital services such as food delivery and ridesharing services? How can we properly manage the collection and use of large amounts of urban data- for instance, from IoT sensors, citizen apps, and surveillance systems, and ensure that sensitive information about communities, infrastructure or other data are protected to avoid unauthorised access or data breaches in a hyper-connected world?
Artificial Intelligence: endless possibilities
The advancements in AI technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Today, AI stands as a cornerstone of innovation, powering solutions that enhance productivity, streamline decision-making, and address complex global challenges.
AI applications have since transformed numerous industries, enabling technologies such as voice recognition, autonomous vehicles, predictive analytics, and generative tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. Rapid advancements by DeepSeek, OpenAI, Meta, Google and Anthropic are only a tip of the iceberg.
According to Statista, the global market size for AI is estimated to be $243.7 billion in 2025, while the market in Nigeria is expected to show an annual growth rate-CAGR 2025-2030, of 27.08 per cent, resulting in a market volume of $4.64 billion by 2030. Globally, the largest market size will be in the United States, estimated to be $66.21 billion by 2025.
AI is transforming industries at a breakneck pace, and urban planning is no exception. From AI agents assisting with planning simulations to drones mapping cities in real-time, the possibilities are endless and town planners must be trained to adopt AI into their daily operations. This will lead to significant productivity boost and faster output rate however these advancements come with potential disruptions. Job displacement as automation takes over traditional roles. Ethical considerations and robust governance surrounding AI-driven decisions in urban development to shape a future where AI enhances human potential and fosters sustainable growth. AI algorithms can inherit biases from the data they are trained on or from developers’ perspectives, leading to inequitable outcomes in urban planning, potentially favouring certain demographics over others.
AI might propose solutions that are technically efficient but fail to account for social, cultural, or environmental nuances. Some solutions could disrupt or negatively impact the culture and communal lifestyle of specific communities. Hence, AI usage must always provide for Humans to make the final decision.
Smaller municipalities or developing rural communities may struggle to afford AI solutions, exacerbating the urban divide between wealthy and less-resourced areas.
Information tsunami: the era of crowd reporting
According to recent estimates, approximately 402.74 million terabytes of data are created each day, with videos accounting for over half- 54 per cent of internet data traffic. On daily basis, user-generated internet contents include 333.22 billion emails, 8.5 billion Google searches, 24.04 billion texts sent, and 2.5 billion Facebook contents shared.
This “information tsunami” is driven by growth in internet penetration globally, affordable devices and internet services, growth in user adoption, e-business, e-government, commercialisation of social media contents and advancements in open-source platforms, transforming how data is created, accessed, and utilised.
Social media platforms are rapidly expanding their user bases, with platforms like Threads by Meta reaching 100 million users in just 5 days, much faster than Facebook that took four and a half years to reach 100 million users. Today, Facebook is the only social media platform with over 3.1 billion monthly active users. YouTube is the second largest social media platform with 2.5 billion active users. Instagram and WhatsApp are tied for third place with 2 billion active users each while TikTok is growing quickly with 1.6 billion active users.
In Nigeria, Facebook had over 51.2 million users in December 2024 which is about 22 per cent of the country’s population. Town planning must provide for infrastructure -telecommunications network, BTS, electricity, delivery pathways for bicycles and motorbikes among others, to support these citizens living and transacting online in a hyperconnected world.
This digital era has ushered in a time where information flows at an unprecedented speed and scale, profoundly impacting how cities are managed and planned. The democratisation of information creation and access has empowered citizens to actively participate in urban governance and planning, shifting from top-down approaches to more collaborative and responsive systems. This phenomenon includes the rise of crowd reporting, real-time data sharing, and citizens engagement through digital platforms.
While this has a significant positive impact, especially for creation, storage, access to and validation of information, it also presents challenges, such as the spread of misinformation or exaggerated reports that can cause social panic or misdirect resources. Additionally, town planners may face difficulties in developing effective mechanisms to verify and prioritise crowd-reported data. As cities become more digitally connected, establishing reliable frameworks to handle this influx of information will be essential for ensuring accurate decision-making, policy designs, efficient urban planning and effective citizens engagement.
Life is getting easier with innovations and citizens are more demanding
Life is arguably getting easier. Breakthroughs in medicine and vaccine development have improved global health outcomes, while innovations in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enable seamless connectivity and unprecedented access to information.
Advances in transportation -from horse riding in the past to unmanned aerial vehicles and flying taxis today, and communication-from telex in the past to instant messaging today, have shortened distances, fostering global collaboration and economic growth. There are ongoing research intended to enhance convenience, simplify daily tasks, and raise general standards of living.
These advancements have incidentally raised societal expectations as the bar for innovation, responsiveness, and quality of life continues to rise, challenging entrepreneurs and innovators to meet these demands while ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. However, with convenience comes heightened expectations from citizens such as increased demand for faster approvals and more transparent urban planning processes. Citizens will demand for personalisation, convenience and more tailored experiences. There is also pressure to deliver infrastructure that supports emerging technologies like driverless vehicles, flying taxis, drones and electronic vehicles. Life expectancy will continue to improve as smart technologies, robotics, automation, and connection advance.
Additionally, town planners and town planning will be faced with some challenges including retrofitting existing cities to incorporate these new technologies-drone delivery zones, charging stations for electric vehicles, and lanes for autonomous cars, can be expensive and complex.
Integrating smart grids, IoT infrastructure, and reliable high-speed internet in urban planning to meet the demand for smart homes, IoT-enabled services, and integrated digital systems to provide sustainable mobility, efficient energy use, and intelligent resource management to satisfy the needs of rising populations and sustainable living. Balancing rapid urbanisation with environmental preservation and sustainability while addressing the increasing need for technology enabled urban solutions.
Global geopolitics: a fragmented and volatile world
Global geopolitics refers to the influence of international political relationships, agreements, and conflicts on nations and regions. The global political landscape is becoming increasingly polarised, characterised by rising nationalism, trade wars, and shifting alliances. These developments influence urban policies and have significant implications for urban planning.
In 2025, the geopolitical landscape is poised for transformative shifts as nations navigate rising tensions, evolving alliances, and increasing competition for resources.
Key global developments such as BRICS expansion, growing nationalism, President Trump’s MAGA agenda and tariff wars amidst intensifying regional blocs reflect the movement toward a multipolar world order. These dynamics will significantly influence global trade, regulatory policies, and economic stability, reshaping international power structures and regional cooperation. For example, The U.S.-China trade war led to delays in sourcing high-tech components, affecting smart city projects that relied on technologies such as 5G and AI-based solutions.
Europe’s dominance in regulations of AI, climate change and privacy will drive global adoption of stricter frameworks, impacting international trade, technology development and increasing the divergence from the United States of America, with implications for global order. Regulations like the EU’s GDPR and AI Act are shaping how cities handle technology and manage data protection, influencing urban policies on privacy and digital infrastructure.
Regional initiatives, such as AfCFTA, also call for harmonised infrastructure planning across borders and the free flow of goods, people, and services. This will require urban planners to design integrated transportation networks, logistics hubs, and border towns that facilitate cross-border collaboration and economic activities.
For urban planning professionals, navigating this complex environment will require resilience, adaptability, and an acute understanding of how geopolitics impacts markets, supply chains, and regulations.
Population growth and urbanisation
The world’s population recently surpassed 8 billion and continued to grow steadily, with an increase of approximately 71 million people in 2024 alone. Millennials and Gen Z, digital natives, make up 63.5 per cent of the global population, and they come with unique needs and expectations.
Fertility rates are dropping globally, with many countries falling below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, signaling an eventual population peak and an increase in net migration especially in Western countries that have seen their fertility rates decline.
In the United Kingdom, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in England and Wales hit a record low of 1.44 children per woman in 2023. In the United States, the TFR was about 1.7 in 2022. In France, it was around 1.8 in 2020, and in Germany, it stood at 1.58 in 2022. Canada’s TFR was approximately 1.4 in 2022.
Many countries, especially in Europe, East Asia, and North America, are experiencing rapid aging due to lower birth rates and increased life expectancy. This trend challenges pension systems, healthcare, workforce dynamics, urban planning and infrastructure provision for the aged and disabled.
This declining fertility rate in Western nations will lead to an increased demand for qualified professionals and workers in critical service areas, resulting in net migration opportunities. This migration could influence the economic growth of the home countries and have a ripple effect on urbanisation and town planning, requiring adjustments to infrastructure and housing.
In 1960, Nigeria’s population was approximately 45.05 million. By 2025, it is projected to reach around 229.15 million. This is quite a significant growth over the years and with significant implication for quality of living.
In 1960, the life expectancy in Nigeria was 36.73 years. By 2025, it is projected to be around 56.05 years. It is fascinating to see how life expectancy has improved over the decades; it is good for families, but it is challenging for planning authorities!
In 1960, Nigeria’s urban population was around 6.96 million, which was about 15.3 per cent of the total population. By 2025, it is projected that 53.9 per cent of Nigeria’s population will be living in urban areas. The rapid urbanisation reflects shifts in demographics and economic landscape.
It is worth noting that 2 nations (Nigeria, Ethiopia) of the 13 largest populated countries of the world with high TFR are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains the region with the highest average fertility rate in the world at 4.6 with implications for food sovereignty, infrastructure, mobility, security, energy and competition for resources etc.
Nigeria, for instance, had a TFR of 5.144 in 2022, 5.076 in 2023, and 5.009 in 2024. Despite a gradual decline, Nigeria’s fertility rate remains significantly higher than that of many other nations. For example, Kenya’s TFR is 3.604, and Ghana’s is 3.214.
Over 55 per cent of the world’s population now live in cities, with rapid urbanisation seen in Africa and Asia bringing both economic opportunities and infrastructural challenges. It is estimated that more than 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, which will lead to rapid growth in megacities, especially in Asia and Africa. Today, Africa has three megacities-with more than 10 million population, in Cairo, Johannesburg and Lagos, while Africa is projected to host five new megacities by 2050-Nairobi, Khartoum, Kinshaha, Luanda, and Dar es Salaam, with implications for town planning, infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education, land usage and sustainable development amongst other areas.
Climate change: the existential crisis
Climate change is no longer a distant threat. With 2024 recorded as the hottest year on record, at 1.54°C above the pre-industrial level historical average since 1850, planners are now facing unprecedented challenges. Flooding, desertification, and shifting weather patterns are destroying lands and cities, creating urgent demands for new urban solutions.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is a 66 per cent chance that global temperatures will temporarily exceed 1.5°C within the next five years.
This warming trend will exacerbate extreme weather events, with changing rainfall patterns and more frequent droughts significantly impacting crop yields and leading to food shortages in vulnerable regions. By 2050, over 5 billion people are projected to experience water stress due to declining freshwater availability.
Floods, desertification, erosion, and changing weather patterns are affecting agriculture, livelihoods and the economy at large with implications for town planning especially for water, sanitation, sewage systems, protection of flood plains, land use planning and zoning regulations.
The 2022 floods in Nigeria caused an estimated $6.68 billion in direct economic damage and an estimated economic loss of $9.12 billion or N4. 2 trillion as stated by the federal government. This was the worst flooding in a decade, affecting 64 per cent of households in 33 of the country’s 36 states, displacing over 1.4 million people, killing over 603 people, and injuring more than 2,400 people. The floods damaged roads, irrigation, rivers, and electricity projects.
The United Nations predicts that, without significant action, more than 200 million people could be displaced by climate-related disasters by 2050. These disruptions will increase the urgency for town planners to address emerging challenges, such as urban heat islands, unpredictable weather patterns, and the need for sustainable energy transitions.
Developing innovative solutions to mitigate these effects and adapting to the changing climate will be key for building resilient, sustainable cities in the future.
Generational shift: a new power dynamic
The generational shift, marked by the growing influence of Millennials -born between 1981 and 1996, and Gen Z- born between 1997 and 2012, is reshaping societal norms, economic structures, and urban landscapes.
Millennials, 23 per cent, and Gen Z, 27 per cent, are now the largest generational groups in the global workforce, replacing Baby Boomers and Gen X as the dominant economic drivers. They have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media, making them highly digitally engaged consumers.
They are delaying marriage, homeownership, and having children due to economic challenges like student debt, high housing costs, and job instability. Millennials and Gen Z prioritize mental health, work-life balance, and self-care. They are prioritizing tech-driven skills, digital literacy, and continuous learning to stay competitive.
Town planners and other future focused professionals and organisations must actively studying the behaviours, needs, consumption patterns and preferences of these two population groups towards providing them appropriate services.
Babies born in 2025 will be the first members of a new generation: Generation Beta. By 2035, Gen Beta is expected to make up 16 per cent of the global population, and many members of the new generation are expected to live into the 22nd century. The Generation Beta will live in a world dominated by technologies such as AI, VR, AR- Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality.
As these younger generations become the dominant consumers and workforce, they bring distinct preferences, values, and behaviors that set them apart from their predecessors. This shift, combined with the massive wealth transfer of approximately $68 trillion from Baby Boomers to Millennials by 2030, is poised to significantly alter power dynamics, authority, urban environments, asset ownership, management styles, homeownership trends, and financial behaviours.
Millennials and Gen Z will reflect their influence through the ways they allocate their inherited wealth and resources. Their values and interests will shape the demand for new technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative living spaces. This economic shift will not only have broader implications on the national economy but will also impact urban planning. Town planners will need to adapt to new housing demands, workspaces, and sustainable infrastructure that align with the values of these younger generations, ensuring that cities evolve in ways that cater to their distinct needs and expectations for flexibility, purpose-driven work, and digital-first workplaces.
To attract Generation Z, town planning should prioritize sustainability, incorporate accessible technology, foster a sense of community, prioritize walkability and public spaces, offer diverse housing options, and actively engage with young people in the design process, all while highlighting the social and environmental benefits of the development. Town planning as a profession must also align its practices to attract and retain the younger generations in the profession.
Imperatives for town planners
To thrive amidst these eight global trends, town planners must embrace a proactive and adaptive mindset. Below are key imperatives:
Continuous learning: Town Planners must stay updated on global trends and emerging technologies. Professional development programs must become a priority. Town planners must engage in Smart Education and Learning by incorporating AI-powered personalised learning platforms to foster creativity and problem-solving skills
Collaboration across disciplines: Work closely with technologists, environmentalists, policymakers, and sociologists to design holistic urban solutions.
Policy advocacy: Engage in shaping policies that accommodate rapid technological and societal changes while protecting public interests.
Citizen-centric approaches: Foster transparency and inclusivity by involving communities in planning processes to ensure development meets their needs and preferences, while leveraging digital platforms for engagement.
Resilience planning: Plan cities that can withstand environmental and societal shocks through sustainable and adaptive designs.
Data-driven decision-making: Leverage big data, AI, and predictive analytics to inform planning decisions. Data insights can help anticipate trends, optimise resource allocation, and create evidence-based urban strategies.
Embrace smart city innovations: Integrate IoT, automation, and smart technologies into urban and regional planning to optimise resource use, enhance efficiency, reduce waste, improve transportation, enhance public service and improve the quality of life for residents.
Focus on equity and inclusion: Address disparities in access to housing, transportation, and essential services by prioritising projects that uplift marginalised communities and ensure equitable urban development.
Climate mitigation and adaptation: Prioritize green infrastructure, public transit, walking, renewable energy sources, recycling and circular economy and nature-based solutions to combat climate change, mitigate urban heat, lower emissions, improve air quality and promote well-being while planning cities and estates that are adaptable to future environmental challenges.
Future-forward thinking: Town planners must embrace and not resist change. They must monitor and anticipate technology and societal shifts, such as the rise of remote work or autonomous vehicles and plan adaptable infrastructure that can accommodate evolving urban dynamics. They must prioritise mental health, wellness centers, and recreational facilities to support overall well-being and must plan work environments that support remote and hybrid work, with flexible office spaces and co-working hubs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, therefore, we find ourselves at a crossroads where global forces are reshaping cities faster than ever. I know and I am glad that most of these challenges and imperatives have already been adopted by town planners in Nigeria and across the globe to position themselves as leaders in shaping cities and communities that are not only functional and sustainable but also resilient to the rapid changes of the 21st century and thereby enabling inclusivity and shared prosperity for all.
These eight global trends – digitalisation, AI, climate change, population, generational shift, information tsunami, global geo-politics and innovation induced soft life – present unprecedented challenges but also remarkable opportunities for innovation. Town planners have the privilege and responsibility to understand these global trends, anticipate these changes, and envision cities that are not only resilient but also fit-for-purpose.
Town planners must act as visionaries and problem-solvers, navigating this labyrinth of challenges to create inclusive, sustainable, prosperous and future-proof urban environments where individuals prosper, businesses flourish, communities thrive and nature is preserved.
Town planners must resolve to embrace these eight global trends with the seven Cs – curiosity, courage, creativity, confidence, competence, commitment and collaboration with other stakeholders. Working together with stakeholders, they can transform the challenges of today into the triumphs of tomorrow, building cities that stand as legacies for generations to come.
To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together. Together, we can drive the agenda for shared prosperity and create communities and cities where no one is left behind.
Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Managing Partner, Verraki Partners, delivered this lecture as Guest Speaker at the 11th edition of the Waheed Kadiri Lecture Series organised by the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ogun State Chapter. The annual lecture honours foremost African town planner, Tpl Waheed Kadiri, former chairman of African Planning Association (APA), past president of Nigerian Institute of Town planners (NITP) and chairman, Board of Trustees, Association of Town Planning consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON).
