From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) has challenged its members on the imperative of sustained advocacy for
inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities, stressing the need for them to pursue the 3Rs of sustainable design- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
This charge was contained in a communique issued after its 2022 3.0 Summit/ Biennial General Meeting which ended on Friday, in Owerri , the Imo state capital.
The communique signed by Arc Nnanna Oti, Chairman, 2022 planning committee, and Arc Kelechi Ezeji, PhD, Chairman, Communique sub-committee, respectively reads in part:
“The conference noted that sustainable development ought to be pursued in four key areas namely; Ecological, Economic, Social, and Technical.
“Sustainable built environment design in the tropical climate is achievable. This can be achieved by doing the following: optimize site potentials, pursuing energy efficiency, designing healthy buildings, practicing water conservation, managing storm water, reducing waste, designing for social cohesion, creating economic designs, and encouraging the use of local building materials.”
“Despite the difficult environment in which they operate, Architects can and must lead the charge in advocacy, education and practice to achieve these objectives. This is so because of their privileged and vantage position as leaders in the built environment.
“Without a robust urban, housing, and regional development Act to tie all the above, urban degradation and building collapse will continue to befall our society.
To this end, the conference called for holistic urban, housing and regional development plan for Imo State.”
The Institute used the ocacasion to honour Arc. Ignatius A.C. Ifeanyi, FNIA, former Chairman, Imo NIA, Arc. Goddy C.E Orgor, FNIA, former Chairman Imo NIA with Prestigious Leadership Awards, while His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J.V. Obinna, Emeritus Archbishop of Owerri bagged a Distinguished Leadership Award.
All participants were presented with automatic certificates of membership.