NIAMR Fitzgerald Umah, Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), says that “2018 Lagos Architect Forum’’, is targeted at renewing the processes and systems in which the built environment endeavours were being conducted.

Umah made the assertion at a news conference to herald the 2018 Lagos Architect Forum (LAF) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The theme of the Forum is: “Lagos 9.0 – Architectural Regeneration 1 — The Lagos Response’’

He said there was the need to renew and update the modalities and methods in which the building construction practice were being conducted in the light of present-day realities.

According to him, the forum will devise new ways of doing running practices and also highlight contemporary issues, including the new directions for building material technology, value and positioning for Architecture, Urban regeneration and new opportunities.

He added that the forum would be an opportunity for networking among affiliated companies, service providers, manufacturers, corporate bodies, prospective end-users and relevant stakeholders.

“The three-day event, holding from May 9 to May 12 will be an avenue to explore some of the interesting ideas in architecture as it relates to our environment.

“Sessions will highlight contemporary issues such as regeneration of architectural designs and practices in view of the current economic challenges, issues surrounding incessant building collapse and new directions for building material technology.

“Inspiring speakers and industry leaders from the local and international arenas will be present to deliver insights and share from their wealth of experience,’’ he said.

Umah added that the motive was to regenerate the environment and for operators in various professions to be exposed to new trends in global realities.

According to him, considering the population of Lagos State, there is need to start building vertically and no longer horizontally to accommodate the rising population.

Mr Samson Akinyosoye, the Secretary of NIA, said the forum would focus on how professionals in the industry could come together to build a sustainable liveable environment using the latest technology across the globe.

Akinyosoye said the LAF 2018 would spend quality time building the capacity of the professionals in the built environment to meet the international standard.

He enumerated professional development sessions, planned seminars, exhibition of Architects’ works, post-conference site tours and building product manufacturers expo as lined up activities of the forum.

“In the course of the forum, international speakers from countries like Ghana, Europe and Australia will be present to share their wealth of their experiences.

“And at the end of this forum, we hope to give the state government a document that will help end building collapse not just in Lagos but throughout the country,’’ Akinyosoye said.