Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture

Rizal Technological University

Bonifacio Avenue, Mandaluyong City
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
Department of Architecture
In Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements in Research Methods in Architecture

A Thesis Research Proposal Entitled:

Approach for a healthy urban community

Presented to:
Arch. Aristedes De Paz, UAP, MPA
Professor, RMA
Faculty, Department of Architecture
Presented by:
Lagasca, Colleen Jane R.
Bs Architecture

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture

INTRODUCTION
The environment is where we live and development is what we all do in attempting to
improve our lot within that adobe. The two are inseparable.-Our common Future

The country of the Philippines is growing. Philippine economic growth this year is projected to
be the fourth fastest in the world, data compiled by CNN Money showed. The chart showed the
countrys gross domestic product (GDP) growth has been forecast at 6.7 percent, which is below the
governments seven to eight percent target for the year. Philippines development is unstoppable; it
will continue to reach the height of the top. Cities around the country are trying to become highly
urbanized and even the rural areas before are doing its best to come up with the urban areas. In
comparison with other countries in the region, the urban land situation in the Philippines is critical.
We hear about the arbitrariness of zoning decisions, the indiscriminate conversion of agricultural and
agro-forest lands, substandard developments, high cost of housing, etc. 7 In the country Philippines,
the cities occupied too much the spaces that it killed the natural resources it has. Bringing back again
the once lively cities and saving or preserve the yet unoccupied green spaces will be a great step to
achieve an ecological city.
Green spaces both organized and natural or informal are integral part of any urban area and are
essential for maintaining their environmental quality and sustainability. Green spaces can be
categorized as formal referring to parks, gardens and recreation venues and the informal such as rivers
or sea fronts, etcetera. Green spaces may include and become an integral part of buildings and hard
surfaces like pavements and courts. Urban habitats such as derelict industrial sites and overgrown
gardens are also considered as green spaces (Venn & Niemela, 2004). Green spaces are essential parts
of any environment which constitute a determining element of the character, quality and functional
value of metropolitan areas (Glasgow & Clyde 2006). According to Falade, (1988) green spaces in
any built environment are important, because the beauty of building forms and images and the visual
quality of metropolitan areas are dependent on the quality and quantity of green spaces. When
harmony exists between green spaces and buildings in neighborhood areas, it is simply functional,
livable, amenable and enjoyable. The visual appearance and attractiveness of towns and cities are
strongly influenced by their green spaces. A high quality built environment consisting of buildings,
access roads and public spaces cannot alone ensure that a town or city is an attractive and appealing
place to live and work but that the landscape of green spaces contribute as much to the quality of the
urban environment as good architecture. Green space is the meeting place of culture and environment,
the places where what users see is infused with meanings of past and present, engendering memories
and feelings (Matsuoka & Kaplan 2008).

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising
the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.-WCED

Increasing urbanization will be one of the defining features of the 21st century. This
produces particular environmental challenges, but also creates opportunities for urban
development that can contribute to broader goals of improving the quality of life for urban
residents while achieving greater levels of global sustainability. Half of the worlds
population already lives in urban areas, with a growing number of these people living in
towns and cities in low and middle-income countries. As well as being a demographic
phenomenon, urbanisation is intricately linked with economic, social and environmental
transitions. 3
Urbanization has been the dominant demographic trend, not only in the Asia-Pacific region,
but also in the entire world, during the last half century. With the high pace of social and
economic development in Asia and the resulting growth of city and town population, lack of
infrastructure, congested traffic, environmental degradation and a housing shortage became
the major issues faced by cities and towns in their sustainable development. The Asia-Pacific
Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) reviewed the environment and
development issues facing in the Asia-Pacific Region and identified five major issues that
require priority attention. Based on discussions at the past two substantive sessions, APFED
formulated its Recommendations and a Message to the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (WSSD, in which APFED committed to launch the new partnership initiatives.
5

Intensive land use and fragmentation in the Philippines has prompted land use
planners to consider a strategic approach to conservation and development that channels
urban growth and preserved lands into more suitable locations. In the last decades of 20th
century, with land use change and landscape fragmentation, nature conservation has changed
from site protection to conservation of ecological networks. Landscape ecological principles
have also been integrated into nature conservation and landscape planning. New initiatives,
including ecological networks, greenways, green infrastructure and ecological infrastructure

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
are emerging. They all emphasize the concept of spatial connectivity, of an integrated
functional network, managed for multiple purposes, linking rural and urban environments
(Walmsley, 2006; Ryan, 2004; Benedict, McMahon, 2001; Jongman, et al.,2004). Ecological
infrastructure planning represents a strategic approach to natural and physical resource
conservation that combines the efforts of previous conservation planning methodologies and
practices into a systematic framework that encompasses larger and broader planning goals,
particularly in watershed areas. 4
The desire to improve the countrys economic life is unstoppable yet, the land use and
planning should work in partnership with the development. Land is a fundamental material
resource and the primary platform for economic and other social activities. The way land is
used and how it is intended to be used are integral components of human development. A
land use policy or a land use plan defines the ways by which land (including its water
resources) should be used. It directly affects the value of land which is related to its
productive potential. Land property rights, therefore, reflect the right to extract value from
land, based on how land can be utilized in a socially productive and acceptable manner.
(Corpuz 2008) Ultimately, from a human development perspective, the concept of land and
land property rights cannot be separated from how we think about land use. 6

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
1.2 HISTORY OF THE STUDY
The history both of architecture and urban green space seems to have set the rules for
understanding the two sides as opposites; this tradition has been established since antiquity
and started to change only very recently. 8 Because of the changes that brought by the modern
living, the thoughts and ideas about the urban green space became strictly given opportunity.

Land-use history of the Philippines from the sixteenth century to the present day is outlined
on the basis of existing statistics, inventories, and other research on land use. Although it is
difficult to find reliable empirical data on historical land-use changes, the major land-use
trends are obvious. Population growth and economic opportunities have stimulated the
conversion of forest land to other uses. Notable conversion of forest to agriculture started in
the eighteenth century when the Philippines were integrated into the world economy. During
this century, forest cover has continued to decline rapidly while the areas of intensive
agriculture and extensive land uses have continued to increase. The apparent trends operating
at the national level may, however, result from conflicting trends operating at the subnational level. For example, in some areas urban expansion reduces agricultural land area and
the natural open spaces are transform into industrial sites or residential or rather commercial.
9

But there is no trace of community gardening in the Philippines because there is no trace of

needing for this idea before. Back from the 16th century, prosperous villages along the shores
of Manila Bay, sheltered by the bays geographic configuration, appealed to the Spanish
conquerors as a good site for capital. Since this idea, the population movement in the city of
Manila started. As the US ruled the Manila, it grew into a large city. The period 1899-1946
saw a series of major public works and infrastructures development, the establishment of the
legislative assembly and the development of the national civil service, which gave impetus to
the development of manila and to migration there. The large number of growth of the
population in the city of Manila brought a big challenge in urban space planning and land use
in the city. The government was not able to control the migration of the people that also lead
to improper settlements of the people in the city which caused over occupied spaces. 10

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture

The recognition of the accessible natural green areas in towns and cities of the Philippines
started early 1990s. There are cities that provide programs that will implement the
requirement of having green spaces in their own city. The city of Quezon as one of the largest
metropolitan in manila, it is necessary for the city to provide much open spaces and green
spaces. In the year 2000 the city launches the Parks Development Program that started the
development of urban green spaces and parks over the city.

11

There are also other cities that

started to implement green spaces, the city of Pasig, which have vision of making a green
city. The city of Taguig also tries to provide green spaces out of the urban development
within the place. Not only the cities in manila started to do so, even the Davao city had
recently approved the green space ordinance on their city. These may only be recently but if
the way we think about treasuring the nature may be a great advantage on having a liveable
city.

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Dying green spaces in urban cities

These days, Metro Manila appears to be in a relentless pursuit to build more buildings
and malls. Progress is good, but the huge appetite for urban space seems to overlook the need
to develop more parks or conserve more open green spaces. Which is depressing when you
consider how studies have long shown that parks and open spaces provide both health and
economic benefits to a city and its people?
Theres growing evidence that proximity to parks and open spaces enhances the value of
residential properties. A study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US
also found that when people have access to parks, it led to a 25.6% increase of people
exercising. Another study, following 10,000 residents in the Netherlands found that people
residing in a greener environment report fewer health complaints and have better mental
health. 1
In the country of Philippines that has a vast growing economy, cities should be aware that its
not only socio-economic sectors can benefit to a citys development. As said on the
demographic phenomenon, urbanization shows linkages on social, economic and
environmental factors. Given the challenges facing local governments from affordable
housing, waste management, traffic, and lack of land the provision of green spaces and
parks (or entertainment services) is often a low priority. Streets and public spaces are
regularly overlooked and undervalued, although they are increasingly being considered the
backbone of cities. During Urban October, UN-Habitat promoted the importance of urban
public spaces for all and created a crowd-sourced digital campaign for better public spaces in
the Philippines. The first walking tour included representatives from the media. On the
success of the pilot, UN-Habitat is planning additional walking tours to examine other
uniquely Filipino public spaces.

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture

1.4 GOALS/ OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The goal of the study is to promote the urban space and balance the 3 main factors:
1. Social
2. Economic
3. Envronment
Cities are centres of excellence, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs,
financiers and academics. They attract a rising tide of humanity, of people hoping for a
better life for themselves and their children. Cities provide opportunities, economies of
scale, a future with more choices. And yet cities have also been blamed for causing
environmental catastrophes, for marginalising communities, for diminishing the quality of
life of the poor. They have been castigated as centres of disease, social unrest and
insecurity. Cities are also at risk from industrial hazards, natural disasters, and the spectre
of global warming.
A successful city must balance social, economic and environmental needs: it has to
respond to pressure from all sides. A successful city should offer investors security,
infrastructure (including water and energy) and efficiency. It should also put the needs of
its citizens at the forefront of all its planning activities. A successful city recognises its
natural assets, its citizens and its environment and builds on these to ensure the best
possible returns.

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Cities are comprised of more than just buildings and people. The most liveable
cities are as known for their open space as they are for their culture. Example are the Hyde
Park in London, Central Park in New York, the Bukit Timah Nature Preserve in Singapore,
Phoenix Park in Dublin all are attractions in their own right for inhabitants and visitors
alike.
Open space in urban environments provides many advantages:

formal and informal sport and recreation, preservation of natural environments,

provision of green space and even urban storm water management.

Thus green space must be a key consideration in urban planning if the health of a city and its
people are both considered important. A new, broader view of parks has also recently been
emerging. This new view focuses on how policymakers, practitioners, and the public can
begin to think about parks as valuable contributors to larger urban policy objectives, such as
job opportunities, youth development, public health, and community building.
There are numerous health benefits associated with access to public open space and parks.
Access to vegetated areas such as parks, open spaces, and playgrounds has been associated
with better perceived general health, reduced stress levels, reduced depression and more.
According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is a major public health risk.
In Australia, nearly half of all Australians do not meet even the 30 minute daily physical
activity recommendations. One study found that people who use public open spaces are three
times more likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity than those who do not
use the spaces. Users and potential users prefer nearby, attractive, and larger parks and open
spaces (Wolf, 2008).
Thus, improving access to public open space has the potential to increase levels of physical
activity, and to have mental health benefits and reduce healthcare and other costs.
Urban parks also contribute environmental benefits. A network of parks and open spaces that
include protected natural lands, ecological reserves, wetlands, and other green areas is critical
to providing healthy habitats for humans, wildlife and plants in these densely built places.
Natural landscapes are vital to preserving regional ecosystems amid growing cities.
Parks also help create human and energy efficient cities that can help slow global warming.
Linear parks and open spaces make compact living attractive and viable. Trail networks link
individual parks, making them easier to bike and walk. Old rail lines can be transformed into
greenways, and gardens planted on rooftops maximise limited space and curtail greenhouse
gas emissions. Every tree helps fight global warming by reducing the amount of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere and help cool cities. 13

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
1.6 SCOPE
The scope of the study:
The study focuses on providing urban green spaces in a city. It promotes the
awareness of every urban city in the Philippines to know the benefit and the good impact of
having green spaces in a community. The research stresses the need to identify opportunities
for both building and supporting partnerships for managing open space in and around towns,
particularly where this involves businesses and local communities.
The study also involves different aspects in addition to the urban space such as providing
garden community park with recreation, business and educational facilities. The facilities will
be further be discussed on the design analysis for the study.
1.7 LIMITATION
The study limits on responding to the need of the local residents inside a certain
community. The gardening will only be available for the community residents. The study is
only limited about gardening so as the vegetation will simply be limited to basic vegetables
and root crops that is easily be taken care and sell. The study also is limited to the urban cities
of the NCR.
1.8 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Rizal Technological University

College of Engineering & Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture
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Mabel David-Pilar (March 3, 2015) Green spaces in Metro Manila you should go to now / 05:38
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Walking tour highlights Filipino urban public space November 10, 2015
See more at: http://www.hphpcentral.com/article/urban-planning-and-the-importance-of-green-spacein-cities-to-human-and-environmental-health#sthash.Gb5iSTV4.dpuf Urban planning and the
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