Construction has begun on Alárò City, which is
being master-planned by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, as an extension to Lagos in southwest Nigeria.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) for the Lagos State Government and city builder Rendeavour, Alárò City will be in the
Lekki Free Zone west of the city. It is designed to boost foreign investment
and create ‘tens of thousands of jobs’.
Covering more than 155.5 km2, the city
will combine a mix of industrial and commercial facilities positioned in line
with the ‘growth path’ of Lagos, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities.
“Alárò City helps strengthen Lagos’ position
as the economic and cultural hub for west Africa, by creating a new mixed-use
model sustainable community – a place for people to work, make, live, and
learn, which aims to become an international trade gateway,” explained
Daniel Ringelstein, director at SOM.
While the south of Alárò City will be dedicated to
industrial, warehouse and logistics facilities, the north side of the
masterplan will host offices, homes, schools, hotels, healthcare and
entertainment facilities, which are orientated towards Lekki Lagoon.
All the facilities will all be positioned around
approximately 150 hectares of parks and green space, which is divided into six ‘greenways’.
These greenways will sit approximately 800 m apart, ensuring that residents and
workers will never be more than a five-minute walk from open space.
Each area in the Alárò City will be connected by a
main boulevard, alongside a network of shaded, pedestrian-friendly streets and
urban plazas. Central to the masterplan is a 14-hectare park that will be used
to host community events.
“We are delighted to be bringing our
successful inclusive city model to Nigeria and Lagos State, the heart of the
country’s vibrant economy,” added Stephen Jennings, founder of Rendeavour.
“Our partnership with Lagos State will ensure that Alárò City is an
economically sustainable city open to all Nigerians.”
The expected date of completion is undisclosed, but SOM said that a number of multi-national companies are already building facilities on site. https://www.dezeen.com/2019/02/07/som-skidmore-owings-merrills-alaro-city-masterplan-lagos-nigeria
