Estate Surveyors: Driving sustainable property development and urban growth in Nigeria by ESV. Shobukonla Oluyemi Mariam

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Nigeria’s cities are growing at an unprecedented pace. From Lagos to Abuja, Ibadan to Port Harcourt, the demand for housing, office spaces, shopping facilities, industrial properties and infrastructure continues to rise. However, urban growth without proper planning can have serious consequences, including traffic congestion, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, poor housing conditions and inefficient utilisation of land.

This is where Estate Surveyors and Valuers have a critical role to play.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers are not merely professionals engaged in determining the value of properties. They are specialists in land economics, property investment, development appraisal, property management and real estate consultancy. Their professional advice can significantly influence how land is acquired, developed, managed and ultimately utilised for the benefit of individuals, investors, businesses and society at large.

Driving Viable Property Development

One of the most important contributions of Estate Surveyors and Valuers is property development appraisal. Before committing substantial financial resources to a development project, investors need to determine whether the proposed development is economically and financially viable.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers assess factors such as location, market demand, development costs, rental and capital values, projected returns on investment and prevailing market conditions. Their analysis enables investors to make informed decisions, minimise risks, avoid unproductive projects and allocate resources more efficiently.

Through feasibility and viability studies, they can also help developers determine the most appropriate type, scale and timing of development for a particular location.

Promoting Responsible Land Use

Estate Surveyors and Valuers also contribute significantly to responsible urban land use. Through market research, feasibility studies and highest-and-best-use analysis, they can advise landowners, developers, investors and government agencies on development options that are appropriate for specific locations.

Such professional input can help reduce haphazard development, improve land utilisation and promote the creation of more functional, organised and economically viable communities.

As Nigerian cities continue to expand, effective land management will become increasingly important. Every parcel of land has competing potential uses, and professional advice is essential in determining how those uses can best serve both economic and social objectives.

Championing Sustainable Property Development

Sustainability is another area requiring greater professional attention.

Property development should no longer be viewed solely from the perspective of immediate financial returns. Developers and property owners must increasingly consider energy efficiency, environmental impact, appropriate building materials, effective waste management, proper maintenance and long-term operating costs.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers can play an important role in promoting these considerations throughout the property life cycle. By incorporating sustainability into development appraisals, property management strategies and investment advice, they can encourage the creation of properties that are not only profitable but also environmentally responsible and resilient.

Sustainable properties can also become more attractive to occupiers and investors while maintaining their competitiveness and value over the long term.

Supporting Government and Urban Development

The profession has an equally important role to play in government policy and urban development.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers can provide valuable property data and professional expertise for land administration, property taxation, compensation assessment, infrastructure acquisition, urban regeneration and public-sector property management.

Accurate and credible valuation is particularly important when government acquires private property for roads, transportation systems, housing schemes and other public infrastructure. Fair compensation, based on sound professional valuation principles, can help reduce disputes and promote confidence in public development projects.

They can also contribute to public-private partnerships by providing advice on property values, development viability, investment structures, asset management and the long-term sustainability of projects.

The Growing Need for Professional Expertise

Nigeria’s rapid population growth and urbanisation present both opportunities and challenges. While expanding cities can stimulate economic activity, create employment and attract investment, poorly managed urbanisation can deepen housing shortages, congestion, infrastructure deficits and environmental problems.

The country therefore cannot afford an approach to urban development driven solely by short-term commercial considerations.

There must be a deliberate balance between economic growth, environmental responsibility and social needs.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers should consequently be recognised as strategic partners in Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda. Their participation in urban planning, housing initiatives, regeneration projects, infrastructure development and public-private partnerships can contribute to better investment decisions, improved land utilisation and the development of more resilient communities.

Building the Cities of Tomorrow

The future of Nigerian cities will depend not only on how much we build, but on how intelligently, responsibly and sustainably we build.

Estate Surveyors and Valuers are strategically positioned to help shape that future. Through professional advice, market intelligence, development appraisal, valuation, property management and strategic real estate consultancy, they can help ensure that Nigeria’s land and property resources are utilised efficiently and sustainably.

As the nation moves towards increasingly urbanised communities, the expertise of Estate Surveyors and Valuers will remain indispensable in creating cities that are economically productive, environmentally responsible, socially inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of future generations.

• Shobukonla Oluyemi Mariam – Membership No.: M03830