The Need For Environmentally Sustainable Urban Land And Housing In The Philippines
United Nations sees human settlement problems as one of the most pressing global issues, and has projected that the two-thirds of the Philippine population in 2050 will be living in the urban areas. Meanwhile, the UN-Habitat aims to achieve equal distribution of environmentally sustainable urban land and housing.
Metro Manila has been the choice location for many investors in the Philippines, Filipinos from the peripheries are enticed to move in the National Capital Region in search for economic and livelihood opportunities, or for a better lifestyle considering its advancements and fast-growing urbanization, due to numerous business districts. Based on National Statistics Office (NSO), City of Manila is considered as one of the most over populated, ranging for almost 1. 7 million residents increasing numbers of vehicle and some areas formed a vast megalopolis. Population growth redounds to livelihood demands along environmental problems which can possibly arise. Some planning solution that led to the idea of a vertical housing developments like condominium structures have become answers to problem of congestions, and have likewise will able to maximized the people that are encouraged migration. A study shows that the negative impacts of buildings in relation to the lack of green spaces, problem on air pollution, the smog that constantly settles on the city that led to Urban Heat Island (UHI), and traffic congestions. Therefore, the idea of decentralization is also a response to a problem in the city centers like mega Manila. To decentralize and to reduce the high density of population and also addressing the impact of pollution.
Our world is facing serious problems including energy crisis and environmental degradation. If the current energy consumption rate remains, oil and natural gas will be used up in 42 and 61 years, respectively.
On March 2015, the Congress approves to support new Clark city or the Clark green city. The proposed project will get 40, 000 sqm land to build in 9450 hectares lot. The city is a planned community under development located in Capas, Tarlac. New Clark city will be less vulnerable to natural calamities through its high elevation that insulates it from flood, the mountains surround the city will serve as natural barriers from typhoons and the location is 75 kilometers away from the west valley fault. The city will be assured of a safer environment. So, it is ideal for long-term development. The upcoming city tend to become the Philippines next growth center, according to Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), they were planning to accommodate 1. 2 million people and 800, 000 workers who will live and work in Clark Green City. It will be the new opportunity to people and an ideal place for businesses to thrive as investments and potential site of living, and the new place for the real estate developers to build, it will have a it will also have a business section, government section, housing, institutional and entertainment retail that principles are sustainability and respect for the environment.
The proposed project is entitled Urban Jungle aiming at a bio-climatic approach in the architectural development. It will be a mixed-use high-rise community which will be situated in a master planned development in Clark. Diversity in functions will feature both commercial and residential, where people can live, work and play in a designed environment. Bio climatic design with the concept of eco-infrastructure is a low energy green building and the adaptation of multifunctionality in spaces and energy-saving systems. According to Ken Yeang architecture and its relationship to society has to be as integrated as its ecological relationship to the natural environment.
Green building is an eco-friendly material promotes healthy and natural environments to users. The concept has been applied in the Spiral Edge in India by Ken Yeang, and the Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy that is designed by Stefano Boeari, reaching a height of 111 meters, and shelters 730 trees, 5000 shrubs and 11000 ornamental flowering plants the innovative use of natural heat resisting and passive cooling. The designer calls it the living green façade.
