Resource recovery from solid waste is of immense benefit for any society in terms of sustainability and economic diversification. It directly addresses the problem of waste overload as well as resource scarcity. This study assesses the efforts made by Lagos State of Nigeria to recover resources from solid wastes since 2007. It highlights the different programs and policies of the state in resource recovery and carried out a questionnaire survey of the citizens' awareness and response to the government efforts. While the residents are conscious of the government position and are ready to get involved in its actualization, there is however, a very low level of implementation especially in the infrastructure. The study concludes that to improve the Lagos State resource recovery model, there is a need to approach it more globally, starting with the redirection of the polity towards a circular economy and encouraging inclusiveness especially with the private sector.

Physical planning is perhaps the strongest tool in the development of the urban form. It is the visible limb of the state that is used to direct and control development. In Lagos State, physical planning is used more in 'development control" rather than "development planning". It also comes into use in the many instances of urban renewal. The rapid urbanization witnessed by Lagos State brought about a sprawl on the whole of Lagos Island. The combination of rapid urbanization, physical planning policies and the cultural heritage of the area have evolved a cocktail of highly diverse styles in the buildings and metropolitan form within the same continuum. This research examines the physical planning policies on Lagos Island over a twenty-year period (1995-2015) and their direct effects on the evolution of the city while trying to control development. The research is qualitative and assessment is based on literature, government records, field interviews, digital photographs and satellite images of the city. The study concluded that the physical planning policies were contingent, responding to issues within successive prompts in time. No holistic policies were put in place to address far reaching issues like a sustainable urban design model to be pursued over time. There is no blueprint for the development of the city. The policies only addressed "growth and development" without prescribed limits. It a classic case of organic development with ineffective controls. The end result is chaotic and needs to be addressed.

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The rapid urbanization, taking place in Southwest Nigeria in the last 40years has necessitated the need for regenerating the historic city cores of the region. The state governments and big private stakeholders determine the key narratives for the urban upgrades. Loss of patrimonial stock of indigenous buildings and communal cohesion in these enclaves after upgrading often lead to a complete loss of the socio-cultural heritage. The promotion of urban tourism, which is ideal for cities with heritage values, is thus made more challenging for these cities. This study examines the sensitive nature of upgrade programmes as it affects historic city centres. A review of instances in the area is concluded with a case study of the Abeokuta city core. The study was carried out using literature about upgrades in Southwest Nigeria and field studies that involved interviews and questionnaires in Abeokuta city core. The research discovered that while residents are aware of the programmes, they had no input in the planning and implementation, whereas, they appreciate heritage preservation and prefer to be carried along in the planning. The research concluded that more inclusive policy planning and project participation would have entrenched heritage preservation, stemmed the rate of gentrification, and produce more acceptable outcomes.