Twenty-six participants from Nigeria (14 professionals and 12 students) have so far submitted entries for the 5th International LafargeHolcim Awards which commenced on July 4, 2016 and closes for submissions on March 21, 2017. This edition of the sustainable construction competition is seeking smart solutions for cities and the built environment. Engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, project owners, students and NGOs are eligible.

The LafargeHolcim Awards, which is open to students and professionals in 90 countries where the Group operates is the most significant global competition in sustainable design. It seeks to recognise and reward high profile projects from professionals as well as bold ideas from students and upcoming professionals in the built environment sector that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence.

The award is relevant to Nigeria, a country of over 170 million that is urbanizing rapidly and projected to be the third-biggest country in the world by 2050. As at 2016, the combined population of Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Onitsha and Port Harcourt (the fastest growing cities in Nigeria) was 31.4 million; their number is expected to swell to 54m by 2030, according to UN Habitat. There is a pressing need for sustainable urban design and construction in Nigeria.

 

Expressing delight that more Nigerians are tapping into the opportunity offered by the award, Lafarge Africa Plc’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Michel Puchercos said “Nigerian professionals and students participating in the competition live and work in some of fastest growing cities in the world. The competition is therefore an opportunity to address the myriad challenges of urbanization as it develops.”

“In Nigeria, like many other emerging economies, urbanization is outstripping the pace at which homes, offices, roads and bridges are being built. An infrastructure deficit and a low degree of industrialization coupled with the amount of natural resources required highlight the important role which the construction industry will play in the socio-economic and environmental future of Nigeria” he stated further.

The competition seeks projects or ideas that embody the target issues for sustainable construction; the 5Ps – Progress, People, Planet, Prosperity and Place, provides the opportunity to institute the principles of sustainability for future constructions.

 

Entry is free, while a comprehensive “Step-by-step” guide that fully explains the evaluation criteria and gives instructions on how to prepare an entry is available at www.lafargeholcim-awards.org.