THE ABUJA CENTRAL AREA PLANS AND REALITIES (II)

Various design control measures were recommended in order to provide appropriate means and procedures for future developments. In order to achieve a harmonious and well organized urban fabric as well as enforcing spatial order, design control measures were introduced with details provided for each block within the central area. They include, grid system, wall line, height requirement, level control, floor area ratio, building coverage, location of cores, pedestrian walk way, portico, access and access zone and penetration requirements.
The area identified by the Kenzo Tange plan as future expansion area subsequently constitute the Phase II of the Central Area. The development control standard and regulations for the second phase, which commenced from the N1 Arterial named Olusegun Obasanjo Way, to the Ring Road I, later named the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, was produced by AIMS consultants.
A new land use plan was subsequently produced in which many of the initial proposals were reviewed. Unlike the Kenzo Tange report, AIMS provided regulations and details on each plot individually. Planning is a human endeavor which can never be infallible. Thus re-planning becomes imperative for some proposals in the course of implementation, so long as it was not a product of satisfying selfish aggrandizement. Many of those aspects that were genuinely driven were glaring and obvious.
The challenges faced by those in charge of the implementation are two ways. Many of the pioneer administrators, specifically, Town Planners who maintained the principles and ethics of their profession, by resisting the unnecessary and selfish orders to interfere with the plans, fell victims of official highhandedness. On the other hand, some of the upright FCT administrations would apply the big sticks on the errant civil servants caught in the act of official manipulations aimed at changing the plans.
Actually what the Plan envisaged at the Central Area District, apart from the major public institutions for making Abuja to function as the Federal Capital City of
Nigeria, was to have the Central Business District that will provide lands for the National headquarters of all, or most of the multinational organizations and businesses in Nigeria.
The Embassy zone was originally proposed in the Kenzo Tange plan to be located outside the Three-arm zone circle, opposite the Supreme Court Complex. But the area now accommodates private residential houses occupied by highly influential citizens who enjoys the security provided by the Villa. Meanwhile, the Embassy Zone is now accommodated at the Central Area Phase II, where the AIMS Consultants provided the standards and regulations for their developments on individual plot basis.
Among the features originally proposed to be developed in the Central Area District which location was not changed is the Liaison Offices for all the States in the country. Although they later fell inadequate due to later new States creations. However, the Authority tried in containing them within.
It could be observed that in-between the Ministries and Cultural Zone at the northern section there exist a natural valley, it was proposed for housing. While at the southern section it was to be developed as Ministries Garden, to serve as the green component of the Ministries Zone. Also, within the Ministries Zone other Gardens were proposed. Unfortunately, these Gardens as proposed are nowhere to be found today. On the other hand, proposing a housing development at the valley in a purely institutional land of the Central Area District was actually an aberration.
According to the Kenzo Tange plan, what is to be developed at the center of the Cultural Zone is the National Square and the Municipality. At the northern section are, the National Theatre, National Museum, Exterior Exhibition Garden and National Mosque. While at the southern section is the Abuja Cathedral, which name was later changed to the National Ecumenical Center, in order to give all the Christians sects sense of belonging. Others are the National Library and the International Conference Center.
It must be observed that the National Square known as the Eagle Square, is now located in between the Federal Ministries buildings at the Ministries Zone. The location was originally earmarked for sub transportation center as called by Kenzo Tange. The Parade Ground at Area 10, Garki I District was the initial and temporary facility used for the National celebrations in Abuja. It is now used not only for the FCT, but also, other National events.
The first National Day celebration held in Abuja was in 1982 during the Shehu Shagari regime, in the 2nd Republic. Subsequently, in 1986 by President Ibrahim Babangida. The experience gained from hosting the initial events in Abuja, with regards the efficiency of the activity and the size demands, would definitely have been the driving force for rethinking on the location and size of the National Square. Hence the jettisoning of the original meager size and location originally proposed by the Kenzo Tange plan.
In the later plan, the original location proposed for the International
Conference Center was also reviewed interchangeably with that of the FCDA Secretariat, in order for the FCDA to be located in close proximity with the headquarters and offices of other public institutions of the FCT Administration.
To be continued.