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Seventy five Nigerians students and professionals are part of the finalists joining hundreds of their colleagues from the Middle East and Africa for the LafargeHolcim regional awards for Sustainable Construction in Nairobi, Kenya this week.
The event which is organized by the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, it is the most significant global competition in sustainable design. According to the news statement that was made available to Financial Edge, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Director Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Lafarge Africa Plc, noted that
“We are excited Nigeria is taking part for the first time as a country and with the impressive turnout of entrants. Even more, Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s fastest growing cities and the competition will promote sustainable projects and concepts the country needs to urgently address its peculiar challenges of urbanization.”
She said the combined population of Nigeria’s fastest growing cities: Abuja, Benin City, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Onitsha and Port Harcourt is expected to swell to 54 million by 2030, according to UN Habitat. This edition of the competition is seeking smart and sustainable construction solutions for cities.
According to her, LafargeHolcim’s sponsorship of the awards over the years validates its commitment to sustainability, innovation and architectural excellence. This is a corporate social responsibility initiative geared to ensure that the world builds better. All entries from the fields of architecture, urban design and planning, and civil engineering are judged based on the target issues for sustainable construction: Progress, People, Planet, Prosperity and Place.
Regional winners in the three categories Main, Next Generation and Focus will be awarded a total of USD 330,000. In all USD 2 million in prize money is awarded in each three year cycle. The LafargeHolcim Awards is open to students, architects, planners, engineers, project owners, builders and construction firms in 90 countries where the LafargeHolcim Group operates.
Photo Caption: The LafargeHolcim Awards Logo
