By Mfon Jacott .
Edmond Burke, an Irish statesman and philosopher, once said that beauty and happiness are intricately linked to each other. According to him, the sight of beautiful things and experiences can bring immense joy and contentment to our lives.
Numerous cities across the globe have embraced Edmund Burke’s philosophy of beauty and have taken it to heart. Beautiful cities such as Amsterdam, Toronto, Barcelona, Prague, Venice, London, Rome, Vancouver, New York and Abu Dhabi have invested in creating a well-balanced and aesthetically pleasing environment that is not just visually appealing but also contributes to the well-being of its inhabitants.
It is in view of Edmond Burke’s philosophy, Rt. Hon. Anietie Eka is seen to reinvent the wheel of urban planning for the beautification of the capital city of Akwa Ibom State – Uyo. This phase of development comes after the demolition of illegal structures that have defaced the city environment and shanties that contribute to risk of flood disaster after the warning alert by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
As the Chairman of Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), Rt. Anietie Eka since assumption into office in December 2023 has been relentless in translating Governor Umo Eno’s vision of a cosmopolitan city with smart features. Before the UCCDA Chairman in his agenda for the city transformation is overcoming the challenges of connectivity, infrastructure, environmental risks, water and public space management, extension zone planning and restructuring of the existing urban fabric with global best practices in view.
With beautification as the next phase of development in UCCDA agenda, Rt. Hon. Eka understands that by incorporating green spaces, public art, and architectural designs that harmonize with nature, the capital city will be able to create an appealing tourism and investment friendly atmosphere for the residents and visitors alike towards the smart city transition.
The UCCDA beautification agenda is being implemented in strategic zones of UYO capital city in line with new research theory of “beauty premium” being postulated by renowned urban economists. This is projected to attract new affluent residents and more employment opportunities in the city. This economic theory has seen the adoption of graffiti art designs on the walls of flyovers in Uyo which is transcending the geographical boundaries of the capital city and cultural differences of Akwa Ibom State on a global scale. This dynamic urban art form is projected to unite communities and empowered individuals to reclaim public spaces, which will serve as a vehicle for cultural preservation and social activism around central business districts (CBD).
According to United Nations figures, 68% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. A growing population combined with a migratory trend from rural to urban living could create 2.5 billion new city dwellers by mid-century. This place UCCDA on the drive for new investment in infrastructure and facilities that will be require to accommodate these numbers with the provision of affordable housing options and putting in place measures to reduce poverty inequality to ensure that the beauty premium works to the benefit of all.
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#uyosmartcity
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