Continuing a practice long decried by international rights groups, Nigerian authorities gave the residents of the waterfront shantytown of Makoko a scant 72 hours to vacate their homes before demolishing them en masse, reports Robyn Dixon.
It sounds as if authorities in what recently became the largest city in Africa won't let the city's slum dwellers stand in the way of progress. In what Dixon calls, "just the latest of many evictions of
poor and marginalized communities in shantytowns as slum dwellers come
under increasing pressure from property developers," authorities in Lagos began demolishing the Makoko shantytown a week ago.
According to Dixon, "This is not the first attempt to wipe out Makoko. Similar demolitions
and evictions took place in 2005. In a notice of eviction earlier this
month, Lagos authorities called the shantytown 'unwholesome' and out of
keeping with Lagos' 'megacity status.' Lagos Gov. Babatunde Fashola said
there were plans to build something much grander."
"'We have a plan to turn that place into the Venice of Africa. I am
committed to the idea,' he told protesters from Makoko on Monday, ruling
out any reversal of the demolition order, Nigeria's Daily Trust
newspaper reported."
"The latest demolitions have left thousands homeless, many with nowhere to sleep but in their canoes, resident Peter Hunsa told the Nation newspaper."
"'I am more than 60 years old,' he said. 'I was born in this
community. The Egun people have been living here for more than 100
years.'
'Where do they want me to go now?' he said. 'We are fishermen. We did not go to school.'"
FULL STORY: Demolition of Nigerian shantytown leaves thousands homeless

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie