Just in: 75 Nigerian experts vie for LafargeHolcim Awards for Sustainable Construction
Details revealing that 75 Nigerians made up of 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 have emerged.
The winners for the awards will be announced and celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya before the end of this week.
Business Hilights recalls that the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction remains the most significant global competition in sustainable design.
Entries for this year’s award were opened in the last few months.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Director Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Lafarge Africa Plc said “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.”
Issues relating to the importance of sustainable construction and development since recently have become very key in Nigeria’s future considering rising urbanization and allied challenges.
Statistics show that 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 54m by 2030, according to UN Habitat.
Accordingly, this edition of the competition is seeking smart and sustainable construction solutions for cities.
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.
Ambrose-Medebem further averred that “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.
