Infrastructure Development in Lagos: A Systemic Approach to Safety and Economic Growth
Original framing: “Streetlights in Lagos can boost safety and grow the economy. Why not everyone benefits” — The Conversation - Global
The trickster here lies in the irony of 'safety' and 'growth' being weaponized to justify uneven development, where streetlights illuminate some streets while casting others into deeper darkness. The headline’s inversion—from 'why not everyone benefits' to 'systemic approach'—hints at a disciplined disruption: what if the real 'safety' lies not in lighting but in dismantling the systems that create darkness in the first place? The absurdity clarifies the absurdity of the status quo.
The provision of streetlights in Lagos highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationships between safety, economic growth, and infrastructure development.
A systemic approach that considers the historical, cultural, and economic contexts of the city is necessary to ensure that everyone benefits from this investment.