Many Nigerians may recall the concept of community shared spaces through the constant meetings and festivals held in the village square (Ilo) of Umuofia, the fictional Igbo village in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, or the marketplaces (Àgbo Ilé) encountered by the main protagonist in Amos Tutuola’s The Palm-Wine Drinkard. Traditionally, Nigerian settlements in the pre-colonial era developed around a central space, often representing a symbol of unity or community, such as palaces in the Oyo Empire and Sokoto Caliphate, or religious centres in Ile-Ife, Arochukwu, and Kano. These places served as focal points for social and political life, hosting meetings, ceremonies, and other communal activities.
However, the onset of colonialism and subsequent urbanisation shifted the focus of settlement growth toward prioritising administrative and economic functions. In present-day urban Nigeria, land is often seen purely in terms of economic value, while community interactions are increasingly sidelined.
Urban public spaces have the capacity to transform an area by serving as interaction points for shared community interests, enhancing public health, and reinforcing a sense of identity and togetherness. These spaces offer opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to come together, fostering social connections and community engagement. Accessible and well-designed public spaces have been shown to positively impact physical and mental health by encouraging physical activity, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being.
So, what do we have as public spaces in Nigeria? Roads, while serving as places of interaction, are primarily used for commuting and are not conducive to fostering lasting connections. Malls and amusement parks are other options, but their large scale means they gather large crowds without fostering meaningful, enduring connections. Any interactions made in these places are often forgotten after the event, as they are seen as destinations rather than integral parts of the community, lacking the warmth and familiarity that neighbourhood connections provide.
Cities are not just about hard infrastructure—roads, lights, and gutters—they also embody the social and cultural aspects of the people, and public spaces offer a vital opportunity to nurture this. However, simply designating random areas as public spaces is insufficient; such spaces could easily become overrun by street thugs or used as hideouts for criminals. Effective public spaces require collaboration between the government and community members to create a framework for defining and developing these areas.
This effort must start at the neighbourhood level, as planning is most successful when done locally. Strong community engagement is crucial to ensure public input and galvanise support for these spaces. When community members are invested in projects like these, they are more likely to protect and maintain the infrastructure. Additionally, the government must provide wholehearted support by addressing issues such as land tenure security, funding, and safety.
By prioritising the development of community-shared spaces and green areas, we can revitalise our urban environments, fostering a sense of belonging and improving the quality of life for all.