PrimeTech advocates integrated design, innovation for sustainable future cities

By Onu Okorie

PrimeTech Design and Engineering has called for greater integration of design, innovation and collaboration in developing sustainable, resilient and future-ready urban centres across Nigeria.
The call was made at PrimeTech Day 2026, a one-day industry forum that brought together urban planners, architects, engineers, technology innovators and other stakeholders in the built environment to examine strategies for building cities capable of meeting future social, economic and environmental challenges.
The event, organised by PrimeTech Design and Engineering, the design and engineering subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, was held under the theme, “Designing for the Future: Leadership, Resilience and the Cities We Need.”
Speaking at the event, PrimeTech General Manager, Engr. Christian Moessmer, emphasised the importance of integrating architectural and engineering expertise from the earliest stages of project development, describing design as the foundation upon which successful construction and long-term infrastructure performance depend.
“We are the first link in the chain that runs from design through construction to operation,” Moessmer said, explaining that the company’s integrated approach provides clients with a seamless, one-stop solution driven by a unified vision.
He noted that although design accounts for a relatively small portion of a project’s lifecycle, decisions taken at that stage have far-reaching implications for construction, operation, maintenance and overall project performance.
“The design phase changes everything that follows,” he said, adding that early collaboration among professionals helps minimise costly adjustments during project execution.
Moessmer also stressed the need to make resilience a fundamental consideration in urban development, rather than treating it as an additional project feature.
“We must treat resilience as an investment, not an extra. It protects assets, safeguards communities and ultimately strengthens our cities,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to translate discussions on sustainable urban development into practical partnerships and actionable initiatives, particularly in Lagos, where rapid urbanisation continues to place pressure on infrastructure and public services.
“The city we need will not be designed in one evening, but it can begin with conversations like this and the partnerships that follow. Our door in Lagos is open. Let’s design the Lagos we need,” he added.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, PrimeTech Lagos Manager, Joseph Abba, said good design should be assessed beyond aesthetics, noting that functionality, operational efficiency and long-term value were equally important considerations in infrastructure development.
“Good design is not only about how a building or infrastructure looks. It is about how effectively it functions, how much it costs to operate and the long-term value it delivers throughout its lifecycle,” Abba said.
He observed that Lagos, with an estimated population of more than 22 million people, faces growing demand for housing, transportation, healthcare, education, energy and water infrastructure.
According to him, the city’s development challenges, including flooding, extreme heat, traffic congestion and infrastructure deficits, underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions capable of serving present and future generations.
Abba urged stakeholders to consider whether infrastructure investments being made today would remain functional, relevant and valuable decades from now.
He also highlighted PrimeTech’s growth and expanding technical capabilities since its establishment in 2012, noting that the company had delivered engineering solutions to public and private sector clients across Nigeria.
The firm, he said, currently has a multidisciplinary workforce of more than 67 engineers operating from its headquarters in Abuja and Lagos office.
Its areas of expertise include structural, mechanical, electrical, piping and infrastructure engineering, supported by an ISO-certified quality management system designed to promote consistency, accountability and continuous improvement.
Other contributors to the forum included keynote speaker, Brig. Gen. Tunde Reis (rtd); Dr. Folayinka Dania of the Lagos State Resilience Office; Arc. Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, Partner at PrimeTech Architecture LLP; Engr. Jafaru Damulak, Chairman of the PrimeTech Board; and Engr. Christian Moessmer.
The speakers agreed that the accelerating pace of urbanisation across Lagos and other African cities requires a fundamental shift in how urban centres are planned, designed and developed.
They emphasised that future cities must be capable of withstanding environmental, economic and social shocks while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of their residents.
A major highlight of the discussions was the importance of visionary leadership in driving sustainable urban transformation. Participants noted that infrastructure and technology alone would not deliver resilient cities without effective leadership, sound policies, strategic partnerships and appropriate investment frameworks.
The forum also examined the growing influence of smart technologies, data-driven planning and innovative construction methods in shaping modern urban environments.
Participants observed that integrating digital solutions into transportation, housing, healthcare and public services could improve efficiency, enhance residents’ quality of life and strengthen community resilience.
They further advocated increased investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, inclusive public spaces and social systems that promote accessibility, equity and community well-being.
The discussions reinforced the consensus that resilience must become a central principle of urban planning and infrastructure development, rather than an optional consideration.
From climate adaptation and smart mobility to integrated engineering and innovative design, speakers maintained that cities must be equipped to anticipate emerging challenges while effectively addressing the needs of their growing populations.
PrimeTech Day 2026 ended with a renewed commitment among participants to strengthen professional collaboration, accelerate innovation and build leadership capacity towards creating more sustainable, inclusive, prosperous and resilient cities across Nigeria and beyond.