Dela Cruz, Jody Mhel B.

ARCHI 4-A

Urban Design Proposals for the City of Cabanatuan City

I. Introduction
City of Cabanatuan, officially located in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
Cabanatuan City is the largest city in Nueva Ecija, and 5th in Central Luzon.

The city is popular for being home to more than 30,000 motorized tricycles, making it the
"Tricycle Capital of the Philippines" and its strategic location along the Cagayan Valley Road
has made the city a major economic, educational, medical, entertainment shopping and
transportation center in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces in the region such as Tarlac, Aurora,
and Bulacan. It has also earned the moniker "Gateway to the North".

Cabanatuan remained Nueva Ecija's capital until 1965, when the government created
nearby Palayan City as the new provincial capital. Nueva Ecija's old capitol and other
government offices are still used and maintained by the provincial administration.

Cabanatuan is a component city in the landlocked province of Nueva Ecija.

History of Cabanatuan

Cabanatuan was founded as Barrio of Gapan in

1750 and became a Municipality and capital of La
Provincia de Nueva Ecija in 1780. Cabanatuan City is
the site of the historical “Plaza Lucero” and the
Cabanatuan Cathedral, where General Antonio Luna
was ambushed on his way to Palanan. Cabanatuan lost
the title of provincial capital in 1850 when the capital
of Nueva Ecija was moved to San Isidro, another
historic town. It was only in 1917, when the
Administrative code was enacted, that Cabanatuan was restored as capital of the Province.
However, in 1965, Congress created Palayan City, which has been the capital ever since.

During World War II, the occupying Japanese built Cabanatuan Prison Camp, where
many American soldiers were imprisoned, some of whom had been forced to endure the
infamous Bataan Death March. In January 1945, elements of the U.S. Army 6th Ranger
Battalion marched 30 miles (48 km) behind enemy lines to rescue the prisoners in what
became known as the Raid at Cabanatuan. As a result of the raid, on January 30, 1945,
victorious Filipino guerrillas and American troops of the U.S. Army 6th Ranger Battalion
celebrated having obtained the freedom of 500 American POWs.
Conversion from Town, Component City to Highly Urbanized City

Cabanatuan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 526, approved on June 16, 1950.
In 1998, Cabanatuan was declared by then-president Fidel V. Ramos as a highly urbanized
city however it failed ratification after the majority of votes in the plebiscite were negative.
Cabanatuan was declared as highly urbanized city by President Benigno S. Aquino III under
Presidential Proclamation No. 418 on July 14, 2012.

The city has a land area of 282.75 square kilometers or 109.17 square miles which
constitutes 4.97% of Nueva Ecija's total area. Its population as determined by the 2020
Census was 327,325.

 Barangays
Cabanatuan has 89 barangays

 Economy
The annual regular revenue of Cabanatuan for the fiscal year of 2016 was
₱1,169,351,998.74.

 Demographics
Households
The household population of Cabanatuan in the 2015 Census was 300,677 broken down
into 68,247 households or an average of 4.41 members per household.

 Religion
 Roman Catholicism has been the predominant religion in the city, being host to a major
cathedral – the St. Nicholas of Tolentino Cathedral which serves as the seat of the
bishop of the Diocese of Cabanatuan.
 Iglesia ni Cristo also maintains a sizable presence in Cabanatuan with its large house of
worship in Barangay Zulueta that seats up to 5,000 people.
 The United Methodist Church also has many local churches with a large congregation
within the city. The United Methodist Church owns Wesleyan University Philippines
and the Wesleyan University of the Philippines-Cardiovascular and Medical Center.
Other Philippine-based Christian denominations are also present in the city, such as Jesus Is
Lord Church Worldwide, Jesus Miracle Crusade and Members Church of God International.

 Historical population
The population of Cabanatuan grew from 7,109 in 1903 to 327,325 in 2020, an increase
of 320,216 people over the course of 117 years. The latest census figures in 2020 denote a
positive growth rate of 1.69%, or an increase of 25,094 people, from the previous population
of 302,231 in 2015.

 Location
The city center of Cabanatuan is situated at approximately 15° 29' North, 120° 58' East, in
the island of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 37.5 meters or 123.1 feet
above mean sea level.

 Distances
Based on the great-circle distance (the shortest distance between two points over the
surface of the Earth), the cities closest to Cabanatuan are Palayan, Nueva Ecija, Gapan,
Nueva Ecija, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac City, Tarlac, and Mabalacat,
Pampanga. The nearest municipalities are Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Talavera, Nueva Ecija,
Aliaga, Nueva Ecija, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija, and General
Mamerto Natividad, Nueva Ecija. Its distance from the national capital is 99.55 kilometers
(61.86 miles). The following list delineates such distance measurements.

 Tourist Spots
 General Luna Statue – General Antonio Luna a Philippine national hero – a brave
general who stand on his great principle which was assassinated in 1899 on this exact
spot.
 Cabanatuan Catholic Church
 Wright Institute of San Isidro – High School Institute established by the American
after the second world war II.

 Products and Services

Cabanatuan City is credited for its good access to commercial banks making the city
ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Philippines together with Makati City in terms
of banking.

 Business Opportunity

Being the largest urban center in Nueva Ecija and one of the largest in Central Luzon,
Cabanatuan is an ideal place to put up a provincial or regional branch. Businesses that can
be viable in the city are housing projects, commercial complexes, and tourist facilities.
Agribusiness ventures such as food processing, feeds, fertilizer and farm implement
productions are also perfect to put up in the city. The same for the production of consumer
products such as household goods and clothing. Due to the presence of several institutions
of higher learning, Cabanatuan can also host centers and other technology-related ventures
such as animation and software development.

 Festivals and Celebrations

Longanisa Festival – this week-long celebration is held in the vicinity of the public
market along Paco Roman Street. Apart from the local meat traders and costumers, tourists
from nearby town are also joining the celebration. Highlights of this festival are the cooking
contests and the different preparations for longanisa (native sausage), including spaghetti and
“binagoongan”.

 Public Transportation
Cabanatuan City is a major hub of land transportation services in Central Luzon. The city
has many bus companies operating provincial and regional routes, with the Cabanatuan
Central Transport Terminal serving as the terminus.
 Jeepney and van
 Tricycle

 Road Network

 National Highway
Maharlika Highway (or Pan-Philippine Highway) is the main highway traversing
Cabanatuan where most vehicles going to Cagayan Valley pass through. Another highway
that traverses Cabanatuan is the Nueva Ecija - Aurora Road. The highway links Cabanatuan
to Baler, Aurora, passing through rural towns in eastern Nueva Ecija.
II. Imaging of the City/ Municipality

CABANATUAN CITY

Cabanatuan City is a highy urbanized City that……

The city if composed of Agricultural landscapes and rice fields which is one of the main
economic source of the city. The City is also known as the Tricycle Capital of the Philippines.
Through years the city developed its residency, commercial buildings like: SM Cabanatuan
which is the largest mall in Central Luzon. Located Along the Maharlika Highway.

Civic Spaces like freedom park as well as various monuments and memorials. The well-
known provincial park is located in front of the Old Capitol of Nueva Ecija. The Old Capitol
is designed by prominent American Architect William E. Parsons. Plaza Lucero is where the
monument of General Antonio Luna is located in front of the Cathedral. The Cathedral is
designed old mixed with the modern one.

Needs to improve:

 Safety and Livability of the city for the residents

 Identity and Attractiveness for the transients

Road Networks, Traffic Congestion

Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is
characterised by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. When
traffic demand is large enough for the interaction between vehicles to slow the speed of the
traffic, congestion begins to occur.

• Arterial Roads
Burgos Avenue and Del Pilar Street both serve as the city's main thoroughfare in the
downtown area. Other major roads include the General Tinio and Rizal Streets that run
through the city proper in an east–west direction; Mabini Street, where two of the city's
three universities are situated, and the Circumferential Road that connects the downtown
area to the Kapitan Pepe residential district.
• City Traffic

Infrastructure improvements by the administration are ongoing. A Unified Command

Center (UCC) for the city's traffic light system is currently under construction at 25 major
intersections. Separate tricycle lanes are also present within the perimeter of the Public
Market. Road extension, and road widening of the Emilio Vergara Highway from two to six
lanes is nearing its completion. The widening of all city and arterial roads from one- to two-
lane highway to three-lane highway is also being considered.

Uncontrollable foot traffic

 Zoning of Areas

No Parking spaces in front of commercial buildings.

Electrical Lines affects the attractiveness of the streets in the City.

No proper garbage disposals

Dead areas potential for crimes and undesirable Activities

III. Issues and challenges in the City/ Municipality

Areas in Cabanatuan City:
  SANGITAN PUBLIC MARKET

The Sangitan Public Market is a place where people buy daily goods, supplies of
vegetables, Meat, fish and fruits…
This is area in the City is a busy Area, tricycle, people, vendors are…

Have a narrow way inside and on the main road, the side walk is undetermined. Stalls are
not in order. There are stalls on the main road and it’s only become a one way road because of
the narrowness. A lot of people walk and buy and it’s really nagkakagulo. Houses are nearby
so makalat ang daaanan and malayo ang pwedeng parking lot. Filthy place for a place where
proper disposal is needed. CR isn’t properly cleaned and maintained in order.

 Local Urban Design Impact:

Improvement of the pedestrian, sidewalk, parking spaces.
Trees/ Lack of Vegetation
Proper placement of parking Spaces
The residential buildings are near the public market
This is a food and.. Sanitary/ proper hygiene is needed.

 Mobility and Public Space Integration

Natural Improvements and the function of spaces with Interconnection to each other.
Zoning of the Areas. Determining the Major and Minor Spaces; Fish Section,
Vegetable Section, dry goods Supplies Section, “Bagsakan ng deliveries” Entry and
Exit.
Comfort of the people, reduce foot traffic and Urban Heat.
Proper drainage systems.

 Urban Living and Urban Economy

Density of People.
Every area on the public market is field with people
Balance safety and security

 Cultural and Architectural Heritage

Urban Fabric and Heritage
Improving the city without destroying its historical preservation.

 MABINI STREET EXTENSION

•
A busy area
The zoning isn’t right that’s why there’s traffic
School, Commercial stalls, small businesses

 Local Urban Design Impact:

Improvement of the pedestrian, sidewalk, parking spaces.
Trees/ Lack of Vegetation
Proper placement of parking Spaces
The residential buildings are near the public market

 Mobility and Public Space Integration

Aesthetics, Functions
Natural Improvements
Connections

 Urban Living and Urban Economy

Commercial, Residential
Public streets
Public Noise, Privacy for the Residential zones
Facilities with dead spots. Vandalism

 Cultural and Architectural Heritage

Urban Fabric and Heritage

 640 PAN-PHILIPPINE HIGHWAY NEAR CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD

This area is dead areas are
 • Local Urban Design Impact:
Improvement of the pedestrian, sidewalk, parking spaces.
Trees/ Lack of Vegetation
Proper placement of parking Spaces
The residential buildings are near the public market

• Mobility and Public Space Integration

Aesthetics, Functions
Natural Improvements
Connections

• Urban Living and Urban Economy

Commercial, Residential
Public streets
Public Noise, Privacy for the Residential zones
Facilities with dead spots. Vandalism

• Cultural and Architectural Heritage

Urban Fabric and Heritage

IV. Proposals

Vision and transformation plans to propose on the 3 areas

Collective Vision and Solutions
Transformation plans
Areas in Cabanatuan City:
 SANGITAN PUBLIC MARKET
 MABINI STREET EXTENSION
 640 PAN-PHILIPPINE HIGHWAY NEAR CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD
References/ Sources: