Dr. Fadera Williams, Nigeria’s first home-grown landscape architect and Vice President of the Society of Landscape Architects of Nigeria (SLAN), says landscape architecture is key to tackling urban challenges such as flooding, erosion, and urban heat.

Williams, a lecturer at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), explained that the field integrates human development with nature, combining ecology, planting, engineering, and design to create outdoor spaces that are functional, resilient, and healthy. “I like to call landscape architects environmental doctors,” he said, noting that the discipline addresses environmental issues beyond aesthetics.

Williams recounted his journey: initially a botany graduate, he discovered landscape architecture while practicing garden design. In 2011, he became Nigeria’s first locally trained landscape architect, paving the way for the profession in West Africa.

He highlighted key benefits of landscape architecture, including:

• Reducing urban flooding via stormwater management techniques like bioswales and retention basins.
• Mitigating urban heat through tree canopies and green roofs.
• Enhancing city planning with a systems approach linking transport, public spaces, and ecosystems.

Notable Nigerian projects shaped by landscape architecture include Eko Atlantic, UNILAG campus landscaping, Bar Beach, Obudu Cattle Ranch, and Tinapa Resort.

The recently inaugurated Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at UNILAG will produce locally trained professionals equipped to address environmental and urban challenges while meeting global standards. Williams stressed the importance of combining local ecological knowledge with international best practices and fostering collaboration between academia and practice through internships, research, and policy development.

He encouraged young students to embrace both science and design, gain practical experience, and advocate for the profession, noting that the demand for landscape architects will grow as cities invest in climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and quality public spaces.

“Landscape architecture is a profession of the now and the future,” Williams said, “delivering measurable benefits for ecosystems, communities, and governments.”