Assessing the Effectiveness of Sustainable Urban Design Tools in Improving Environmental Performance in Lagos Megacity

The high rate of urbanisation in the developing economies has contributed to the pressure on the environment in the megacities, especially in the Global South, where there is often a mismatch between planning potential and population increase. Lagos Megacity is one such example, as the city faces extreme environmental stress manifested in the form of urban heat islands, frequent flooding, energy inefficiency, environmental pollution, and deteriorating liveability in the city. In retaliation, there has been a growing trend of the promotion of sustainable urban design tools as strategic interventions to enhance the performance of urban environments. Nevertheless, their effectiveness in Lagos is not properly assessed, and there is limited information about it. The paper evaluates how effective the chosen tools of sustainable urban design can enhance environmental performance in the Lagos Megacity based on a qualitative evaluative review with an analytical framework. The recent peer-reviewed works, empirical research in Lagos and pertinent policy materials were used to draw the data. The analysis involved using thematic synthesis and comparative assessment of the environmental quality performance of green infrastructure, climate-resilient and passive design solutions, biophilic and city greening strategies, as well as smart city solutions. The results showed that these tools have a positive impact on energy efficiency, thermal comfort, water management, urban resilience, and liveability in general. However, their success is limited by their disjointed application, little inter-scale integration, inadequate monitoring of performance, institutional and governance difficulties. This paper finds that the tools of sustainable urban design can play a major role in improving the environmental performance in Lagos in an integrated, theory-based, and theory-supported approach. The article provides pragmatic solutions that should be adopted by city planners and policymakers to reinforce the urban design in Lagos Megacity.