The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Landscaping

  • ‘Landscaping helps mitigate negative climate change effects’

    ‘Landscaping helps mitigate negative climate change effects’

    The role of landscape architects in the building of  Nigeria is misuderstood. This is because a lot of people believe landscape architects are gardeners.

    But to Fadera Williams, Nigeria’s first lanscape architect, landscape architects are “Environmental doctors” of our time. She said that while the misconception of the profession is prevalent here, she said that on the international front, a lot is being done to integrate landscape architects into sustainable development goals and there has been a call for the international landscape convention from continent to continent. For this to happen, each country in the continent in question is required to come up with a landscape charter that is region specific and integrate it into a holistic picture. This is because all over the world, the world leaders are beginning to realise that the interpretation of what landscape relationship is to man is the key to solving most of the cross purposes mankind as found himself in with Mother Nature.

     

    Landscaping as a concept

    It is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. In simpler terms.it is the architecture of outdoor spaces. That is an attempt to blend the available building technology with the environment. We build roads and we destroy the river basins; we drill oil and we disrupt the ecosystem of the aquatic organisms. We prepare Environmental impact assessment reports for major constructions, for oil drilling activities, for any activity that would generally affect the environment negatively. We also design private, public outdoor spaces, hotspots of social interaction, health farms, urban agriculture gardens, parks and gardens and so many more.

     

    Benefits to buildings

    It is all aimed at creating harmony and balance with nature. Buildings do not only get beautified by landscape designs, they also have some health benefits. According to the research of my master’s thesis, I discovered that a small estate like Atunrase estate Gbagada was emitting close to 200,000kg of Carbon from domestic source carbon emissions from the use of Kerosene, briquette, cooking gas and petrol only without putting into consideration vehicular influx and outflux of  carbon emissions. Also a total of 3,350 shrubs and a total of 1668 trees are proposed to offset these emissions in the estate. These means that if every home planted a tree and the parcel of land available used for tree planting and the canal scaping was done, the small residential estate could cater for its domestic source emissions. This tells us the potential that residential areas have towards addressing the problem of climate change. Apart from this it has health benefits because inhaling oxygen which is a bye product of plant photosynthesis is actually beneficial to humans. Another benefit of trees and plants generally is the protection they serve as windbreakers for seasons where the wind might have carted away your roof!

     

    Landscape architecture vs climate change

    Landscape architecture has a critical role to play in mitigating and ameliorating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. Let’s take flooding as a typical example. The problem of coastal flooding has been heightened by global warming and as a result, Landscape architecture is positioned to provide the following services; Design for Flood protection, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), River and basin management plans, Room for the River, Multifunctional Levees, Waterfront development and so on. Apart from this, carbon sequestration by vegetation is the way by which carbon is being stored in the body parts of plants such as roots, stem, leaves etc. This way, Carbon which is one of the most lethal greenhouse gases is mopped up and taken away from the atmosphere.

     

    • Williams is a Landscape

    Architect in Lagos.

  • ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    ‘Landscaping helps mitigate against negative climate change effects’

    Fadera Williams is Nigeria’s first landscape architect produced by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and, by extension, in the West African region. A botanist, she also studied at the University of Ibadan, (UI) and Horschule Fur Nurtingen, Germany. Williams, who is President, Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (Southwest Chapter) and an adjunct Lecturer at UNILAG, where she teaches Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, is a Ph.d candidate of the Department of Architecture, University of Lagos. She speaks to MUYIWA LUCAS on Landscape Architecture 

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria is a budding profession in Nigeria. In fact, most of the Landscape Architects  in Nigeria are foreign trained. The role of landscape architects in the building of our nation is not well understood. A lot of people believe landscape architects are gardeners or like some say ‘Landscapers’.  I call landscape architects the “Environmental doctors” of our time. Interestingly, on the international front, a lot is being done to integrate landscape architects into sustainable development goals and there has been a call for the international landscape convention from continent to continent. For this to happen, each country in the continent in question is required to come up with a landscape charter that is region specific and integrate it into a holistic picture. This is because all over the world, the world leaders are beginning to realise that the interpretation of what landscape relationship is to man is the key to solving most of the cross purposes mankind as found himself in with Mother Nature. However, in Nigeria, sadly, we are yet to be thinking in this direction. Hitherto, different built environment professionals such as urban planners, building architects e.t.c have attempted to do the work of landscape architects but thankfully, we as a profession are gradually growing in our great nation and things are beginning to take shape.

     

    Landscaping as a concept

    It is the design of outdoor public areas, landmarks, and structures to achieve environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. In simpler terms.it is the architecture of outdoor spaces. That is an attempt to blend the available building technology with the environment. Of all the species of creation, it seems as though it is only man who builds houses and affects the environment. We build roads and we destroy the river basins; we drill oil and we disrupt the ecosystem of the aquatic organisms. My responsibility as a landscape architect is to create a synchrony with  the environment and the technology in question, (be it a building technology or otherwise) We prepare Environmental impact assessment reports for major constructions, for oil drilling activities, for any activity that would generally affect the environment negatively. We also design private, public outdoor spaces, hotspots of social interaction, health farms, urban agriculture gardens, parks and gardens and so many more.

     

    Benefits to buildings

    It is all aimed at creating harmony and balance with nature. Buildings do not only get beautified by landscape designs, they also have some health benefits. According to the research of my master’s thesis, I discovered that a small estate like Atunrase estate Gbagada was emitting close to 200,000kg of Carbon from domestic source carbon emissions from the use of Kerosene, briquette, cooking gas and petrol only without putting into consideration vehicular influx and outflux of  carbon emissions. Also a total of 3,350 shrubs and a total of 1668 trees are proposed to offset these emissions in the estate. These means that if every home planted a tree and the parcel of land available used for tree planting and the canal scaping was done, the small residential estate could cater for its domestic source emissions. This tells us the potential that residential areas have towards addressing the problem of climate change. Apart from this it has health benefits because inhaling oxygen which is a bye product of plant photosynthesis is actually beneficial to humans. Another benefit of trees and plants generally is the protection they serve as windbreakers for seasons where the wind might have carted away your roof! And trees are the first line of defense against erosion during the time of rains or floods. Greening our homes has become so important it is no longer considered as luxury but rather as Green infrastructure.

     

    Landscape architecture vs climate change

    Landscape architecture has a critical role to play in mitigating and ameliorating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. Let’s take flooding as a typical example. The problem of coastal flooding has been heightened by global warming and as a result, Landscape architecture is positioned to provide the following services; Design for Flood protection, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), River and basin management plans, Room for the River, Multifunctional Levees, Waterfront development and so on. Apart from this, carbon sequestration by vegetation is the way by which carbon is being stored in the body parts of plants such as roots, stem, leaves etc. This way, Carbon which is one of the most lethal greenhouse gases is mopped up and taken away from the atmosphere. Landscape architects are responsible for estimating and drawing up a landscape plan on a local, regional or national scale to address the possibility of introducing urban forestry into the Nigerian landscape.

     

    Landscape architecture in Nigeria

    Well, I would say Nigeria has been gradually embracing this concept. We see how Lagos was transformed by the preceding governors of Lagos state, in the persons of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Also the current Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is working at continuing the building process and hopefully we would get to see him take the greening of the Lagos metropolis to finishing. The truth is such brave acts at greening the Lagos metropolis must be emulated in all 36 states in Nigeria. The era of reactionary leadership where environmental concerns are involved is over! It is time to be proactive and think and plan ahead for the impending climate change impacts. Another way Nigeria can embrace the concept of Landscape architecture combating climate change is to employ the services of landscape architects to prepare a plan of action for the nation taking a bottom up, socio-cultural specific approach towards combating climate change. This we must always have ready so as to be able to tap into and effectively utilize as many funds available to developing countries in the international committee of nations.

     

    Cost implication of landscaping

    Landscaping is not as expensive as a lot of people think it is. If you take a typical building project, what you find is that house owners end up using hardscape for their landscape. Whether they employ the help of a landscape architect or not, they tend to spend on flooring the outdoor landscape and so on. However if you employ the services of a landscape architect, not only would the professional help to design the outdoor spaces but the job can be done at only a fraction higher than what you will spend using individual non-professional artisans. At our own landscape services firm, Hermon Empor limited. We have a vision to stand as a  leading landscape firm committed to innovation, beauty and respect for the environment. At Hermon Empor, our slogan is “Your environment tells me who you are.”  Our pricing is affordable, our job is professional and we always create an environment that makes you happy. A basic landscaping project that entails only the soft scape depends on the area earmarked for greening and it ranges from N150,000 upwards. However when paverblocks or hardscape is concerned, then the expense will include the area of coverage of the hardscape.

    The truth is even if you cannot afford to landscape your whole outdoor space, I think it is very necessary to plant at least a tree or two in your compound. There is a research that says that one fully mature tree can cater for the oxygen needs of a family of four people. There are definitely health benefits in the greenspaces. A study showed that children who had exposure to outdoor green environment displayed more joy and contentment than those cooped up indoors. Also there has been an emergence of what is known as therapeutic gardens. These are gardens which heal the mind and the body. Plants generally are known to bring calmness to an environment and the breath of fresh oxygen they provide does indeed clear the head.

  • Presidency wants N91m for landscaping in 2013

    Presidency wants N91m for landscaping in 2013

    The Presidency has requested for N91 million for landscaping and other related matters in the State House, according to a breakdown of the 2013 budget.

    President Goodluck Jonathan last week presented the estimates to the National Assembly for consideration.

    Of the N91 million, N25,925,045 is for landscaping of the new residence of the Vice President, N20,110,300 for landscaping/service of veterinary and N45m for landscaping, drainage and access road of the State House Medical Centre (SHMC).

    The Presidency is also asking for over half a billion (N550,949,502) to construct a new visitor’s car park, a zoo and a slaughter slab in Abuja.

    The Auditor General of the Federation is asking for N180 million to acquire one Toyota Camry and 18 Toyota Hilux vans.

    A new Toyota Hilux costs about N4,320,000 and 18 of these will translate to N77,760,000.

    The Auditor General plans to spend N5.3 million to buy 50 fire extinguishers at N106,000 each; N7 million on 10 explosive detectors and N23 million on monitoring and evaluation of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) projects.

    The Presidency is also asking for N475 million to build a visitor’s car park at the state house (opposite the pilot gate).

    There are plans to build a N60,600,300 zoo and a N15,349,202 slaughter slab at Aguda House, the official home of the Vice President.

    Under code 23030117, The Presidency is asking the National Assembly to approve N57 million for “API bulk SMS gateway for 36 states to reach 10 million people”.

    Another N75 million is budgeted for “the rehabilitation of recreational facilities at the main residency”, that is, the official residence of the President.

    The Presidency got N15,365,167 this year for landscaping at the Villa’s veterinary unit, but next year, the bill is expected to hit N20,110,300.

    Similarly in 2012, the National Assembly approved N6,146,066 this year for the landscaping, drainage and access road to the State House Medical Centre (SHMC). In 2013, the Presidency plans to spend N45 million for the same purpose.

    The Federal Government is favouring the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (N1,571,448,455) and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD – N1,465,764,961) with more budgetary allocation than it wants for the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) N1, 286,536,856.

    The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) wants N1,787,671,151 under its monitoring and evaluation programme, to spend on privatisation transactions.

    The National Assembly is to get N150 billion for the 2013 fiscal year, according to the estimate.

    The government also budgeted N72.246 billion for the Universal Basic Education (UBE).

    This programme is the third consecutive year that the sum of N150 billion is being set aside for the National Assembly, for its capital and recurrent expenditure.

    The amount represents about three per cent of N4.92 trillion Budget.

    The National Assembly has always maintained that its budgetary allocation is meant to take care of salaries and allowances of members, the National Assembly bureaucracy, the National Legislative Institute, salaries and allowances of legislative aides and others.

    The 2013 budgetary estimate did not give the breakdown of the National Assembly’s allocation.

    Apart from the National Assembly and UBE, other statutory tranfers include the National Judicial Council N67 billion, Niger-Delta Development Commission N57, 424 billion, Independent National Electoral Commission N32 billion and National Human Rights Commission N1.350 billion

  • ‘Landscaping of perimeter areas now compulsory’

    ‘Landscaping of perimeter areas now compulsory’

    IT is now an offence for property owners and occupiers not to landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of such houses, according to a law posted by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    TheLagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Act is the outcome of a bill initiated by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

    At the handing over of the agency to its management team in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello said the law was part the state’s effort to meet its environmental challenges in line with global international best practice.

    About 128 landscaped gardens and 14 gardens were handed over to the management of LASPARK, headed by Olukunle David-Sotade.

    Bello said his ministry was positioned for policy promulgation and not implementation, which puts it in the best position to deliver on its mandate.

    The commissioner, however, stressed that adequate public enlightenment would be embarked on before full enforcement of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Law No. 13, of 2011.

    ”It is now mandatory for tenement owners and occupiers to landscape and beautify the perimeter areas of their property. Violation of this shall warrant the penalty of N250,000 or such sums as the state shall incur in doing same on behalf of the tenement, or six-month imprisonment or other non-custodial sentence.

    “The law stipulates a fine not exceeding N50,000 or one year imprisonment or other non-custodial sentences for any person or corporate body found felling or trimming trees in the state without obtaining the required permit from LASPARK,” Bello said.

    He said state agencies numbering about 89 will help the ministries to formulate proper policies and carry out their oversight functions more effectively.

    Also prohibited are walking on lawns/gardens, spitting, urinating or defecating in parks, gardens or open spaces, and loitering in any park, among others.

    Some of the functions of LASPARK, according to him, are administering, maintaining and managing designated parks and gardens. The agency is also expected to charge appropriate fees for the use of facilities provided where necessary, carry out the directives and policies of the government in respect of the development, maintenance and management of parks, recreation centres, gardens, playing grounds and open spaces, and promote afforestation, among others.

    David-Sotade promised to improve on the work already done on the parks and gardens across the state, even as he sought the cooperation of Lagosians to enable him and his team deliver on the job and its responsibilities.

    He said the idea is to collaborate with all sectors of the economy by aligning the agency’s corporate goals with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) on the environment and the economy.