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?
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