METRO Manila needs to be replanned to sustain development and keep pace with other cities in the world, according Thomasian architect Felino Palafox, Jr.
Palafox heads Palafox Associates—one of World Architecture 2001’s top 300 architectural firms.
In a symposium at the College of Fine Arts and Design auditorium last Sept. 25, Palafox said the metropolis’ design contributes to its poor development.
“(In the Philippines), the big homes are in the city, iyong mga mahihirap nasa labas. You don’t find this in other European cities, Japanese cities, and former British cities in Asia like Singapore,” said Palafox.
For instance, rank-and-file employees working in the Ortigas and Makati business districts reside far from their workplaces unlike in those cities where the workers reside within the city and just walk their way to work.
“In Hong Kong and Singapore, they also have a city hall, townsquare, churches, and around them are the town houses. The big homes and the mansions are in the suburbs,” he said. “This adds to the daily traffic jams.”
However, Palafox said the replanning is a herculean task. He suggested the review of our cities’ zoning and planning laws to make the task easier.
“It has been a 400-year-old mistake we are trying to correct. But, we have to re-educate industry and government leaders,” Palafox said.
Palafox said development should not be concentrated on Metro Manila alone but also focus on the provinces to decongest the metropolis.
In addition, he said that if the Pasig River is rehabilitated, it can be used for transport and tourism.
He also said our country should also be airport development-oriented to make global trade easier. Palafox added that the country does have airports but these “are disconnected with the rest of the world.”
“Global Trends and Practices in Urban Planning and Architecture” was sponsored by the United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxillary-UST Chapter. Teodoro Lorenzo A. Fernandez with a report from Brix Gil M. Bayuga
