By TPL Umar Shuaibu
The first phase of Abuja’s development consists of six mainly residential districts, whose development guidelines are grouped into three categories: low, medium, or high-density residential developments. Their supporting commercial and recreational services are located either in neighbourhood or district centres. The requirements are the same for all the residential districts in all phases of the city’s development.
The seventh district in Phase I is the Central Area, which is the main commercial district of the city. Unlike the mainly residential districts—whose development requirements are grouped—each plot in the Central Area has its individual development requirements, as specific tasks were attached to the development of many plots in order to satisfy particular goals for the development of Abuja as Nigeria’s capital city.
Developments in the first phase are almost complete. However, some areas earmarked for vital functions, and which would have become important landmarks in the Central Area, are yet to be implemented. The proposed Abuja National Mall is one such project.
Many would wonder why an extensive parcel of land, strategically located at the city centre, flanked by Ahmadu Bello Way and the B-8 and B-10 Ceremonial Corridors within the ministries zone, would remain undeveloped. This area is designated to accommodate the National Mall according to the Abuja Master Plan. Specifications and requirements for its development are outlined in the Central Area Urban Design of Abuja, a document produced by Kenzo Tange and Urtec Associates.
As a vital component of the Abuja Master Plan, the National Mall was intended to serve as a catalyst for the development of other commercial and recreational plots in the Central Area District.
Due to its strategic location and significance within the Abuja development concept, there is expected to be strict compliance with the standards and scale of the proposal as set out in the Master Plan. The original concept and model presented to the FCDA depicted a low-rise development for the National Shopping Mall, surrounded by high-rise buildings.
To enable these buildings to function effectively, their heights along the National Shopping Mall were regulated to a maximum of four floors. However, the most recent known design under consideration proposes a height of 20 floors. This was a later revision and a deviation from the original concept. It is possible that this change was supported by a compelling argument due to changing values, though we are not aware of it as we are no longer part of the system.
According to the original plan, the National Mall is to consist of two parts. The first is located in a valley, where the natural terrain is effectively used to create a terraced sunken garden. These terraced decks include numerous amenity facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops, small cinemas, disco clubs, bars, nightclubs, boutiques, and an amphitheatre to bring life to the ministry area after office hours. These facilities can also be connected to the bus and future subway stations through pedestrian underpasses linked to the Ministries Garden.
The second part is the States Plaza Area, which comprises state gardens with small amenity facilities such as coffee shops and kiosks. The area is to be well landscaped, making use of the natural topographical features. Subway stations are to be introduced in the sunken garden to boost activity around it at all times of the day.
The B-8 and B-10 routes bordering the National Mall are to be designed and landscaped with dignity, reflecting their ceremonial significance. To ensure this dignity, the roads are not to follow the natural topography but rather pass over the valley on bridges that maintain a uniform slope from the National Square to Roads N-11 and S-11. Symmetrical ramps, taking advantage of the topography, are proposed from the road to N-12. The space below the bridges can be used for parking and for commercial purposes along the sections facing the National Mall.
Some facilities meant to support the National Mall, such as the Ministries Gardens and the bus and subway stations, remain nonexistent. Have they been forgotten, or are they yet to be implemented? Perhaps the custodians of the property and project, the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Company, can shed more light.
Our advice is that to avoid major structural damage during excavation, the subway should be prioritised ahead of other structural developments. We also urge those currently in authority to treat the project as a public trust for the benefit of the city, not as a personal venture for individual gain.
The first phase of Abuja’s development consists of six mainly residential districts, whose development guidelines are grouped into three categories: low, medium, or high-density residential developments. Their supporting commercial and recreational services are located either in neighbourhood or district centres. The requirements are the same for all the residential districts in all phases of the city’s development.
The seventh district in Phase I is the Central Area, which is the main commercial district of the city. Unlike the mainly residential districts—whose development requirements are grouped—each plot in the Central Area has its individual development requirements, as specific tasks were attached to the development of many plots in order to satisfy particular goals for the development of Abuja as Nigeria’s capital city.
Developments in the first phase are almost complete. However, some areas earmarked for vital functions, and which would have become important landmarks in the Central Area, are yet to be implemented. The proposed Abuja National Mall is one such project.
Many would wonder why an extensive parcel of land, strategically located at the city centre, flanked by Ahmadu Bello Way and the B-8 and B-10 Ceremonial Corridors within the ministries zone, would remain undeveloped. This area is designated to accommodate the National Mall according to the Abuja Master Plan. Specifications and requirements for its development are outlined in the Central Area Urban Design of Abuja, a document produced by Kenzo Tange and Urtec Associates.
As a vital component of the Abuja Master Plan, the National Mall was intended to serve as a catalyst for the development of other commercial and recreational plots in the Central Area District.
Due to its strategic location and significance within the Abuja development concept, there is expected to be strict compliance with the standards and scale of the proposal as set out in the Master Plan. The original concept and model presented to the FCDA depicted a low-rise development for the National Shopping Mall, surrounded by high-rise buildings.
To enable these buildings to function effectively, their heights along the National Shopping Mall were regulated to a maximum of four floors. However, the most recent known design under consideration proposes a height of 20 floors. This was a later revision and a deviation from the original concept. It is possible that this change was supported by a compelling argument due to changing values, though we are not aware of it as we are no longer part of the system.
According to the original plan, the National Mall is to consist of two parts. The first is located in a valley, where the natural terrain is effectively used to create a terraced sunken garden. These terraced decks include numerous amenity facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops, small cinemas, disco clubs, bars, nightclubs, boutiques, and an amphitheatre to bring life to the ministry area after office hours. These facilities can also be connected to the bus and future subway stations through pedestrian underpasses linked to the Ministries Garden.
The second part is the States Plaza Area, which comprises state gardens with small amenity facilities such as coffee shops and kiosks. The area is to be well landscaped, making use of the natural topographical features. Subway stations are to be introduced in the sunken garden to boost activity around it at all times of the day.
The B-8 and B-10 routes bordering the National Mall are to be designed and landscaped with dignity, reflecting their ceremonial significance. To ensure this dignity, the roads are not to follow the natural topography but rather pass over the valley on bridges that maintain a uniform slope from the National Square to Roads N-11 and S-11. Symmetrical ramps, taking advantage of the topography, are proposed from the road to N-12. The space below the bridges can be used for parking and for commercial purposes along the sections facing the National Mall.
Some facilities meant to support the National Mall, such as the Ministries Gardens and the bus and subway stations, remain nonexistent. Have they been forgotten, or are they yet to be implemented? Perhaps the custodians of the property and project, the Abuja Infrastructure Investment Company, can shed more light.
Our advice is that to avoid major structural damage during excavation, the subway should be prioritised ahead of other structural developments. We also urge those currently in authority to treat the project as a public trust for the benefit of the city, not as a personal venture for individual gain.
