UNILAG, University of Liverpool to Establish Coastal Urbanism Research Lab

By Glory Obasi

The School of Architecture, University of Liverpool and the Institute of Africa and Diaspora Studies (IADS) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are prepared to setup an International Heritage and Coastal Urbanism Research Lab.

The lab will investigate the threat of swift globalisation and climate change on cities in West Africa and its effect on cultural heritage and the socio- economic livelihood of the most vulnerable in this region.

Sponsored by the Leverhulme Global Professorship Programme, the program is set bolster the foundation of partnership between the two port cities—Lagos and Liverpool.

Professor Taibat Lawanson, a Professor of Urban Management and Governance at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, recently applied and secured this programme.

The program will include the setting up of Joint Masters degree programmes in Global Urbanism and Heritage between IADS-UNILAG and School of Architecture, University of Liverpool; the holding joint conferences and exchange of programmes, where Ph.D students and postdoctoral researchers from the University of Liverpool engaged in the lab will be given the opportunity of doing research stays in Lagos and other port cities in West Africa.

On behalf of the University Senate, staff and management, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, congratulated the institute as well as Professor Taibat Lawanson for the achievement.