Metro Manila is comprised of 16
cities and 1 municipality - is the economic, political, and cultural capital.
Metro
Manila’s forecast of becoming a global power city is challenged by the
consequences of rapid urbanization. The UN-Habitat lists the effects of climate
change, natural disasters that hamper urban infrastructures and city
competitiveness, unequal livability, job creation, and poverty reduction.
Is
there a way out of Metro Manila’s challenges? Architect and urban designer Chintan
Raveshia, and urban planner and sustainability consultant Tony Chan of
Singapore-based Arup emphasize urban development should also consider people’s aspirations, its changing needs and
expectations, and the national identity of the residents.
Finding the identity of the city
Raveshia
inspires responsible stakeholders to ask themselves first the most fundamental
question: “What’s the identity of the city and how do we make its residents
proud?”
He
quips, “Singapore, a city that is high on everyone’s liveability list, is also
working with citizens and grass roots organizations to inculcate a sense of
‘lovability’ for the city. This helps to strengthen the societal bond, increase
equity, improve community safety, and exude pride and a feeling of ownership of
the city amongst the residents. The balance of liveability, efficiency, and
lovability paves the way for a true success of our cities in this climate
emergency era”.
For his
part, Chan believes that a successful sustainable urban development goes hand
in hand with the capability to enhance people’s quality of life. “We must develop and harness models of
development that have low-carbon targets, which are also of a human scale,
thriving and inclusive; models that are also just, secured and enhances the
quality of life for all its residents. In addition, we should look at creative
ways to increase local citizen participation as well as new technologies or
products that can support the overarching vision and development objectives”,
says Chan.
Melbourne is considered by many
experts as one of the most liveable cities for the past decade.
If
Singapore reclaims lands for more affordable housing and increased integrated
city developments and Melbourne builds accessible green spaces to promote
social interaction, what plans would best fit Metro Manila’s sustainable and
livable future while maintaining its identity?
Here
are five urban development aspirations Filipinos hope for the country’s main
political and economic hub.
1. Accessibility across all social
classes
While
Metro Manila is the Philippines’ major economic driver – accounting for 32% of
the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) – it’s often challenged in
sustaining accessible living conditions for residents across all social
classes. UK-based The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Metro Manila
105th out of 139 cities in the Global Liveability Index 2022. The increasing population
density in Metro Manila has resulted in some inconveniences in daily conditions
like vehicular traffic situations, least green open spaces, high carbon
footprint, inaccessibility to affordable housing, and unequal income
opportunities.
Urban
planners and developers suggest mixed-use planning in the metropolis and
coastal developments because they are crucial to achieving the 15-minute
concept. Here, residents across all walks of life are encouraged to live a
healthy, affordable, and sustainable lifestyle because residential, commercial,
and office spaces are integrated within a single development.
2. Open green spaces for a healthy
and sustainable living environment
Despite land scarcity, Singapore
manages to be one of the greenest cities in the world with over 400 parks, more
than 3,300 hectares of nature reserve, and over 300 kilometers of park
connector network.
Studies
shows that Metro Manila has only 5 square meters of green space available per
person, this number is well below the 9 square meters set by the World Health
Organization.COVID-19 had the entire world reassess their health conditions,
lifestyle practices, and environmental situations. The impact was even more
drastic in Metro Manila due to population density, crowded space, and
insufficient parks and open areas.
Aside
from improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces also
moderate temperatures during the warm season.
3. Enhancing Human health and
wellbeing
Cities
with sufficient healthcare facilities, access to health coverage, and
infrastructures that enhance well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle,
produce prosperous societies.
The
way cities are planned, designed, and executed has a crucial impact on how
people live as it presents opportunities and effects on their lifestyles and
overall well-being. While there is evident progress in Metro Manila’s health
sector, rapid urbanization continues to pose risks in communities due to
challenges in overcrowded neighborhoods, vehicular emissions, heavy traffic,
pollution, and flood-prone areas.
4. Resilient community
Resilience
is the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to adapt, survive, and
grow in the face of stress and shocks, and even transform when conditions
require it. Relevant dimensions under the City Resilience Index (https://www.cityresilienceindex.org)
by the Rockefeller Foundation & Arup, other dimensions include Health &
Well Being, Economy & Society, Infrastructure & Environment as well as
Leadership & Strategy
As
Philippines and Manila grows, we face a dual challenge of adapting to
climate change and the need to alter development strategies that are
increasingly contributing to global warming. Philippines is among the top 10
countries in the world most affected by climate change in the past 20 years,
according to the Global Climate Risk Index As an archipelago, impacts resulting from climate change are
immense. In addition, metro Manila’s safety and resilience are endangered by various
natural disasters.
Natural
disasters persist every season due to our geographical location.
Well-planned
and executed urban designs have the power to build safe and resilient
communities in Metro Manila.
Infrastructures like proper bike lanes and walkable streets ensure
residents’ safety, accessibility, and comfort, whereas science and
technology-based solutions that can build flexible structures, multi-use
systems, and technologies can help residents adapt and prepare for changing
conditions.
5. Global and competitive city
In 2022, Singapore is placed 3rd
in the World Competitiveness Ranking – the small country out of Asia even
placed 1st in 2019 and 2020.
Metro
Manila is one of Asia’s premier regions. As the country’s engine growth driver,
it has growing investments in infrastructures and multitudes of business
investments and developments.
The
metropolis’ rising potential can further step up by following global models
like Singapore, Melbourne, and Hong Kong which created several integrated
cities and coastal developments that ushered in a vibrant economy and paved for
a better urban lifestyle. These visions create an avenue to further increase
opportunities for jobs, better education, better lifestyle, and bustling
economic activities.
These
can contribute to the Philippines’ national and local economies by driving
tourism and infrastructure development while also creating equitable and
inclusive communities. These, in
turn, create a wider room of opportunities and, therefore, attracts more
talent.
Building inclusive and sustainable
growth centers
When
all stakeholders are listened to and addressed, communities will be energized
when introduced to well-designed, master-planned and implemented developments.
This will result to a lasting
impact on Metro Manila’s future and its residents because it fosters more
inclusive growth and makes the urban landscape an extension of their home.
When
a city embraces its history, celebrates its milestones, innovates and adopts
for the future, and most importantly, nurtures its residents and responds to
their aspirations – it is a city working toward competitiveness and unlocking
future potential.
How
about you? What would you aspire your city to be?
Comments
Post a Comment