By Chukwuka Ugokwe
Anambra State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has continued to deepen its sensitisation campaign on compliance with setbacks and other urban planning regulations to promote liveable, sustainable cities.
Speaking through a statement issued on Friday, June 3, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Bar Chijioke Ojukwu, underscored the importance of bridging knowledge gaps in constructing a building.
According to him, setbacks serve several critical functions in city planning in areas of fire safety, light and air, infrastructure space as well as traffic visibility.
“In building and urban planning, a setback is the mandatory minimum distance that a structure must be positioned from property lines, streets, water bodies, or structures.
” It dictates where you can legally build to ensure safety, ventilation, and proper community spacing.
“Before you build confirm your setbacks with a professional or the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development”
Ojukwu, outlined key factors that could lead to building demolition to include, building without permit, encroachment into setbacks, construction under high tension power lines, building on water canals or other unsafe areas.
He, therefore, called on the citizenry, stakeholders to champion the cause of safer buildings by encouraging property developers to comply with approved setbacks and to always obtain the necessary building permits.
We gathered that concerned professionals have continued to commend the government sensitisation campaign, describing it as timely, relevant and necessary.
