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Area used for irregular disposal in Ikota was converted into a small urban facility with toys, landscaping, and waste reuse, in a Lagos region pressured by heat, flooding, and lack of green spaces
A plot used as a waste disposal point in Ikota, in the Lagos region, was transformed into a children’s park built with recycled tires, reclaimed wood, and recovered metal. The space was opened on March 1, 2025, and received financial support after winning a regional stage of The Earth Prize.
The project was created by the organization Preserve Our Roots and led by Amara Nwuneli, a 17-year-old Nigerian. However, the case gained relevance beyond her personal journey because it brings together three urban themes in one space: solid waste, lack of green areas, and flood risk.
According to Business Insider, the initiative received US$ 12,500 and plans the construction of three more community parks in Nigeria. The proposal includes gardens, greenhouses, and waste collection points, which brings the project closer to a small structure of circular economy and green infrastructure.
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Abandoned tires cease to be waste and become a play structure in a vulnerable urban area
The Ikota plot was used for irregular disposal before the intervention. Instead of buying ready-made toys or importing expensive structures, the team worked with local artisans to reuse materials available in the region itself.
Used tires were incorporated into the children’s space. Recovered wood and metal were used in the construction of swings, a slide, and a climbing wall. The choice reduced costs and removed waste from circulation in an area where disordered disposal was already part of the landscape.
This detail is central to understanding the project. Abandoned tires can accumulate water, attract mosquitoes, and occupy public areas without proper destination. When reused with safe installation and maintenance, they become part of a community facility.
The park does not solve Lagos’ waste problem on its own. Nevertheless, it shows a practical application for materials that would normally be discarded, with direct use by the local population.
Flood-resistant trees were included in the project to reduce heat and improve drainage
In addition to the playground equipment, Preserve Our Roots planted flood-resistant trees around the park. This action was part of a broader mobilization that, according to information released by the project, reached 300 trees planted in the region.
The choice is related to the reality of Ikota. The area is vulnerable to flooding, and many nearby houses are built on elevated structures due to the frequent presence of water. In this context, urban vegetation is not just landscaping.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency points out that trees and vegetation help reduce soil and air temperatures through shade and evapotranspiration. The agency also states that wooded areas help absorb some of the rainwater and reduce surface runoff.
In neighborhoods with little greenery, paved ground absorbs more heat, and drainage is pressured during heavy rains. Therefore, even a small park can function as a local piece of urban adaptation.
Lagos has only about 3% green area and faces increasing pressure for drainage
Lagos is among the largest urban areas in Africa and experiences rapid expansion, high population density, and strong land competition. The Earth Prize mentioned that green areas represent about 3% of the city’s total area, a low proportion for a metropolis exposed to heat and heavy rains.
This data helps explain why a small project gained visibility. In regions with little shade, few public spaces, and irregular disposal, converting an abandoned lot can change the routine of children and nearby residents.
A review published in 2025 in the journal Frontiers in Climate points out that floods in Lagos are exacerbated by rapid urbanization, poor drainage, and climate change. The impact falls more heavily on vulnerable communities, where urban infrastructure usually arrives later.
The World Bank also treats green infrastructure as a complementary tool in managing urban floods. The institution cites solutions such as vegetated areas, permeable pavements, wetlands, and rain gardens as resources that help manage rainwater alongside traditional works.
A $12,500 prize is expected to fund new parks with waste collection and community gardens
The Earth Prize recognized the project as the regional winner for Africa in 2025. The award is aimed at teenagers aged 13 to 19 who develop environmental solutions with practical applications in their communities.
In the case of Ikota, the prize of US$ 12,500 will be used to expand the proposal. The next stage includes three new community parks, with gardens, greenhouses, and waste collection points.
The idea transforms the park from just a recreational area into a multifunctional space. In addition to hosting children, these locations can organize waste disposal, encourage planting, and create shaded areas in neighborhoods with little public infrastructure.
One of the most ambitious goals is to convert a large landfill in Lagos, depending on government approval. Two other projects target the states of Ogun and Oyo, also affected by extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.
Project shows limits and potential of urban recycling in communities without major public works
The case of Ikota does not replace public policies for sanitation, drainage, waste collection, and urban planning. The project’s expansion itself depends on licenses, maintenance, toy safety, and continuity of local partnerships.
Even with these limitations, the experience shows how urban waste can be repurposed into low-cost community works. Tires, wood, and metal have stopped occupying a plot used as a dump and have become a space for collective use.
The strength of the project lies in the combined effect. It reduces visible waste, creates shade, opens a living area, and introduces environmental education in a region vulnerable to flooding.
For cities dealing with heat, accumulated waste, and lack of green areas, the example of Lagos shows a small-scale alternative. It is not a definitive solution, but it can serve as an initial model for neighborhoods where major works have not yet arrived.
Do you think abandoned plots could become green areas with repurposed materials in Brazil as well? Leave your comment and tell us if there is any such space near your home.
