Evaluation of adaptive capacity and reuse potential of the Ijora Power Station, Lagos: a FLEX 4.0 assessment

Numerous sustainable solutions have been developed by designers and theorists to rectify the escalating negative effects of conventional brick-and-mortar construction. While this construction paradigm was more prominent in developed countries, contexts with limited resources have begun looking to locally available resources as an approach to addressing construction-related environmental and economic issues. As a result, adaptive reuse is gaining popularity in such contexts, offering environmental benefits as well as cultural and social advantages. This study makes an original contribution to this conversation by assessing whether one of the most notable industrial sites in Lagos state, Nigeria, has adequate potential to be successfully repurposed. To achieve this, the study utilised the FLEX 4.0 framework, developed by Rob Geraedts, to evaluate the adaptive capacity of the Ijora Power Station. This industrial site was selected due to its physical characteristics and historical significance. An extensive physical assessment of the facility was carried out before the FLEX 4.0 evaluation, in order to ensure an accurate and comprehensive analysis. The results were presented descriptively and visually supported with photographs, tables, and charts. The FLEX 4.0 analysis revealed the Ijora Power Station to be “very flexible”. The empirical findings of this investigation offer valuable insights into the untapped potential of various industrial sites located in Lagos and other Nigerian states. Critical areas of adaptive reuse that require attention were also highlighted from this study, offering strategic recommendations for policy makers, design professionals, heritage bodies and other relevant stakeholders in developing countries.