Thesis Project 1
Thesis Project 1
Thesis Project 1
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because,
and only when, they are created by everybody.” (Jacobs, 1961) Public spaces are areas
in the public realm that help promote social interaction and a sense of community.
(American Planning Association) Public spaces are shared by the community to spend
their time in. People who come from different backgrounds, cultures and personalities
share these spaces. A community commonly spends time in these places for leisurely
activities like eating, exercising, or doing personal activities like going out on dates,
getting together with friends or family, selling food and practicing their talents and
hobbies. On certain occasions, public spaces become a venue for community gatherings
and important events shared by different people. “Public spaces are key elements of
expressions of the diversity of their common natural and cultural richness and a
These spaces provide opportunities for human interaction to occur, ultimately achieving
All across the globe, public spaces and places play a major role in the growth
of cities, as well as establishing a sense of pride for people who live in communities
that share these spaces. The sense of pride and stewardship helps in keeping their public
places alive, healthy and resilient. The local economies grow and communities with a
good sense of place become more habitable by people. Places that are designed and
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driven by a community attract people. The presence of people attracts more people and
local businesses start to invest in these places. Examples of this can be seen in Las
Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy and Kyojima in Tokyo,
Japan. These public spaces are widely inhabited and visited by people. These places
become important to people that they attract even tourists, increasing the economic
value of land as well as its cultural and historical value. These places all shared one
important aspect in common: they were designed for people to use. Once people started
using these places, these places became a part of everyone who visited them, brought
hear of the term bayanihan, which is the Filipino concept of being a community. This
cities, plazas are civic places which people have been using for different activities.
Filipinos are known to have a very strong sense of hospitality and one factor that
strengthens this value is how communities more or less know one another, especially
neighbors. A common scenario seen and experienced in the Philippines is how well
people in a community are updated with the lives of those their neighbors, often
portrayed in movies or shows as neighbors gossiping about one another. The most
so lively and vibrant in color that they attract people from across the country and even
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tourists towards public spaces, especially streets and homes, where these annual
(MacKenzie, 2015) Furthermore, civic spaces act as the front porch of our public
institutions, and allow interaction between a community and the government. (Project
of Public Spaces, 2009) Community spaces and civic centers have become an extension
of the community and homes. In these spaces, growth of a community and achieving a
sense of community through shared experiences are what give identity and life to public
spaces. It is in these places that people experience the culture and identity of a
The concept of bayanihan, although has been a strong value and sense of
the urban areas and cities. Many factors affect the loss for this Filipino sense of
community. A culture of distrust has infected many communities due to the lack of
safety in places people call homes. Homes have begun building higher walls and gates
that separate families from the outside and from one other. Public spaces like streets
and parks have become less used and inhabited by people due to the presence of danger
that can affect individuals. Importance on pedestrian safety has been ignored in
planning of communities and cities; sidewalks become narrower, parks become more
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infested by risks to safety and health of people due to the lack of maintenance,
streetlights become dimmer, and the lack of the presence of people in public areas invite
are more connected than ever but have even grown more disconnected with one another.
Rather than talking and spending quality time with present family and friends, the
internet and new gadgets keep that physical company apart. Even more so, people living
in communities have become more and more disconnected with one another. The lack
have brought people far more apart than ever. The government along with urban
planners, architects and stakeholders play a major role in reconnecting the people.
Public spaces need to be designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction
to occur. Places need to engage the community to go out and interact and reconnect
institutions, public institutions and establishments that provide people with their needs
used to be planned around what we call a plaza. A plaza is a public space, also
considered to be a civic space where people gather and spend time for activities, events
and spend their leisurely time. Communities used to grow around these focal points
because they are so inhabited and self-sustaining with life and economy. Eventually,
Filipinos veered away from public spaces due to different factors like, heat, safety and
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shopping malls, rather than in public parks, plazas and civic buildings like museums
and libraries. Shopping malls in the Philippines have become new focal points in cities.
Whenever a new mall is built, value for land and economic growth increases. Malls
have started to offer a range of services and facilities that public parks don’t, from
venues and indoor parks. The ensured security, air conditioning and Wi-Fi-access
available in these places have even attracted people to go to these places even more.
This invites consumerism. Local economies and growth opportunities for small
businesses are interrupted. People have veered away from their own public places in
Urban spaces must be able to allow better interaction between people and their
environment. (Waterman, 2010) Metro Manila, with its 17 cities and smaller
communities need to focus more on civic pride and sense of community. Providing
spaces designed and planned for specific communities can uplift the economic and
social state of areas, proving to become pioneers for designing public places for and by
communities in the Philippines. Civic centers are where forums and cultural events can
take place, becoming places where all lines meet; where people from all walks of life
in a community may cross paths to improve social interaction and uphold civic pride,
new public place within the Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila as a public space to
be shared among people in the community to achieve civic pride, urban regeneration,
improved social interaction and community resilience, with the following objectives:
1. To develop and plan public spaces that will initiate social interaction amongst
2. To promote the local economies and markets in Baseco Compound that will
3. To promote and engage civic pride and stewardship through the design of
spaces and places that are made for the people of the community
4. 1 in every 5 Filipinos were considered poor in 2015, meaning 21.9 million of our
population were poor. Among the poor in the basic sector, 34.3% were farmers, 34%
were fishermen, 31.4% were children, 25.0 percent were self-employed and unpaid
family workers and 11.5% were individuals living in urban areas. (PSA,2015) Many of
these Filipinos live in Urban Poor areas around the city with only little to no
opportunities of improving their living conditions. Those living in the slums have to
settle for small living spaces, low-quality facilities and unhealthy living conditions.
5. By focusing the capacity to sustain and create places it is possible to find real and
integrative solutions to modern-day problems. Not a single one of the major challenges
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Placemaking offers a practical, proactive, and integrated approach for addressing global
responsibility that requires studies and discussion among different people; urban
communities like barangays which lack interaction and civic pride in their own
communities, putting all the focus on areas with bigger establishments rather then
improving their own as an anchor that attracts people, development and growth in their
own community. People go far away from their own areas to spend their time in, or
public places, are undesired by their users. People in these communities look further
away when they can look at where they live and achieve livelihood and development
7. “There is an important and significant correlation between how attached people feel to
where they live and local GDP growth.” The love that people have for their community
has a positive effect on the economic growth of that place. When people love where
they live, the tendency is that they spend more time there and may even invite other
people to do the same as well. What drives most people to love the place where they
gatherings and the openness of the place. (Lofline, 2013) A public place can boost the
economic growth of even the smallest communities. It does not only have a positive
impact on the physical health, but as well as the mental health of its people. Community
designed for the people to use. It plays a key role in keeping the citizens healthy, safe
and happy.
The study and research of the proposed project will be conducted in Baseco
Compound in Tondo, Manila. The project shall focus on how the site will become a
public center designed based on the observed behavior, wants and the needs of the
people living in the community. The project will focus on the formation of the proposed
civic center based on the studies and research conducted within the community, in order
allowing public transportation within the area, mainly tricycles, to connect people from
further points of the community and even visitors from outside the premises of the
community to visit and use the center and its public spaces. The basic services that a
community will need will be located within the site, such as the barangay office, a
satellite police station, a small health care center, a day-care center, tricycle terminal,
community gallery, livelihood classrooms and a satellite library. Other facilities will
include a play area, basketball court and a park for the inclusive use of the public.
Moreover, the project will include areas for the public economies to potentially grow,
such as providing areas where weekend markets and community farms which may be
used to allow opportunities for the community to earn and help in the growth of the
economy. The business and economic factors are not to be included in the project and
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will be based on behavioral studies rather than business, economic and management
All studies and research will be focused on the community itself, including
institutions and establishments located in the range of the said community (e.g.
churches, school, commercial establishments). The framework that the design of the
structure and the spaces will be based on interviews and analysis done around the site
and with main stakeholders of the site (the chosen community), as well as the local
government only up to the barangay officials. Higher government officials will have
little involvement, through data, demographics and local ordinances and laws that may
apply in the formation of the project. Due to constraints, the demolition process of the
built structures in the chosen site will not be included in the scope of this research.
For the purpose of the research and study of the proposed project, the following
GK Gawad Kalinga
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UN United Nations
BARANGAY
Basis for modern political units in the Philippines, base unit for the management
of political duties in the government, a body of members from villages and districts in
CIVIC
(Dictionary.com)
CIVIC CENTER
The buildings that house our post offices, courthouses, government agencies,
and libraries are often grand but uninviting. They can also be a stage where friends
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meet, celebrations are held, and economic and cultural exchanges build a sense of
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our
COMMUNITY
A social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share
government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage; a social,
perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within
COMMUNITY CENTER
CULTURE
defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
(Zimmerman, 2015)
ECONOMY
FOREIGN
Of, relating to, or derived from another country or nation; not native. Belonging
LOCAL
places (Dictionary.com)
PEDESTRIAN
PLACE
time. It has a history defined by the way people use such environments. These places
(MacKenzie, 2015)
PLACEMAKING
order to maximize shared value. More than just promoting better urban design, it
facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural,
and social identities that define a place and support its ongoing evolution. (Project for
PUBLIC
persons, Maintained at the public expense and under public control (Dictionary.com)
PUBLIC SPACE
Any landscape area or building interior that is free for the use of all people at
Public spaces are all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and
enjoyable by all for free and without a profit motive. Each public space has its own
RESILIENCE
of individuals to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural, and physical
resources that sustain their well-being, and their capacity individually and collectively
SIDEWALK
A path for pedestrians alongside but higher than a road. A sidewalk includes
both hard-paved and soft, landscaped areas. (NYC Department of Planning, 2013)
SLUMS
(Merriam-Webster)
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STEWARDSHIP
(Merriam-Webster)
TOURIST
URBAN
URBANISM
and their influence upon, and interrelationship with the built environment. (Wall &
Waterman, 2010)
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to all members of a given community regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-
essential human right. Where such spaces already exist, the careful process of design
and maintenance is important for the cultural, social, economic and physical aspects of
and sheltered spaces created without a profit motive and for everyone’s enjoyment.
(UN-HABITAT)
The idea of a public space is that it is a third space – one that is neither a space
of work nor of home. This idea has become increasingly important to communities.
Public spaces provide a necessary neutral ground in which conversation may flow,
regulars may congregate and the mood can be playful. (Chaplin, 2011) Public spaces
are the key elements of individual and social well-being, the places of a community’s
collective life, expressions of the diversity of their common natural and cultural
3. Attract tourism
5. Encourage volunteerism
6. Reduce crime
denied, but the users of the space consider it as a public space. Examples of privately-
owned spaces are shopping malls, bars, even civic buildings. In these spaces, a user
may be asked to leave or be removed from the space by a higher authority although it
denied. The space is viewed by its users as a public space. An easement used to piece
together a trail system is a right given to others to use private land, thereby establishing
Club space is a space that is publicly-owned. Access can be denied upon the
decision of the operations of this club. A club is a group of people who organize for a
The outwardly public space is publicly-owned and access to this space cannot
be denied. Such spaces include public parks, are the least contested type when it comes
to denial of access. Inappropriate acts done in such spaces cannot easily deny a person
access to the space unless there are laws or rules enforced to ensure the conduct of its
2.2 PLACE
over time. It has a history defined by the way people use such environments. These
aspects. (MacKenzie, 2015) Place has the power to enable people to learn from each
Table 1 : Factors that make a great place, Project for Public Spaces
2.2.1 PLACEMAKING
community have to a place, which gives a sense of attachment or invested in that said
place. This connection is the very heart of the resilience of the community.
Place-making is not only about making places, but about making and growing
lives and livelihood. (Chaplin, 2011) Placemaking provides great opportunities for
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based process. Placemaking is a strategic planning and designing of a place that requires
the participation of the community. The design and strategies need to be people-
oriented, it cannot be a strategy or solution that leaders and planners simply impose and
implement. Allowing members of the community the opportunity to play an active role
in creating the community builds a stronger relationship between the community and
the place. This connection allows communities and places to become resilient and self-
It is only by focusing on the capacity to sustain and create places that real and
integrative solutions to the most pressing concerns of the 21st century may be
discovered. The major challenges that today’s cities face - poverty, environmental
for addressing global change and resilience at every scale. (Kent, 2015)
The strong sense of place built upon the relationship of places with people has
a positive impact on the healthy lifestyle of people, as well as the physical and economic
growth of cities. (Project of Public Spaces) Great places invite a boost in the economy
technology increases the place capital of a place. (Kent, 2015) There is a significant
growth in the GDP of a local economy when a place is booming with life, energy and
local markets that produce and products that contribute to this growth. In the recent
findings in a study that Dr. Katherine Lofline conducted, it has been determined that
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the love of people for their community has a positive effect on the economic growth of
What most drives people to love where they live is their perception of aesthetics,
social offerings, and openness of a place. People want a place that is attractive,
engaging, friendly and welcoming. (Lofline, 2013) In Dr. Lofline’s study, there are 9
1. Optimizing place – allow places to be who they are – just optimized. Instead of
changing the community, make it the best it can be, making no place left behind.
2. Lead with strengths – the most powerful path to change for people and places
people feel about their future, the more attached they can be to the community
perceived as the least welcomed group in a place. People decide place before
the jobs to pursue changes the way communities are imagined. If places are to
succeed, jobs are better and more people will want to live there.
5. The corporate world gets this – corporate companies know that to attract and
retain best talent, they have to successfully sell where that job I located
6. A solution on the “growth” tug of war that immobilizes many places – people
are worried that modernizing for growth will lose their community’s identity as
a place
openness and aesthetics, and resident attachment. When one of those is changed,
Cheaper” approach can change minds and meet expectations faster than anyone
8. It’s totally scalable - You can start anywhere and see impact soon. Remind
people of the greatness of their place and help them rediscover that.
9. The power of place – love of place is a great equalizer and mobilizer. The
message of attachment – that the softer sides of place matter- resonates deeply.
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Architecture becomes a good citizen when it sits well on its site, reaches out to its
nature, has a sense of warmth, community and natural light, and it integrates art into
everyday life. Ultimately, it is the sense of reciprocity between the building and the site
that create places which play a dignified and lasting role for the buildings, occupants
and wider community. The outdoor places are every bit as compelling as the indoor
places and they are strongly engaged with one another. (Sisam, 2013)
Civic distrust exists in our communities. With the rapid growth of cities and
towns, they become more populous but less worth inhabiting. Today our society faces
the loss of “social capital” (Robert Putnam) where people undo connections with
neighbors and members of communities by favoring the use of cars over investing on
pedestrians and commercial developments that offer consumerism rather than social
interaction. Such factors suppress peoples instinct for human encounter. By creating a
culture of civic engagement, a venue for interaction and forum occurs. (Kent & Fried,
2009)
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Civic institutions, such as parks, libraries, city halls and cultural facilities, are
the foundations of a civil society and the cornerstones of democracy. At their best, they
nurture and define a community’s identity by instilling a greater sense of pride, they
foster frequent and meaningful contact between citizens, they provide comfort in their
public spaces and they encourage an increasingly diverse population to use them. When
civic institutions are located in places that are easily accessible by pedestrians and
transit, they help to make a city more walkable and reduce dependence on the
automobile. Civic institutions can also help to support and build local economies by
2009)
community’s public living, especially when they are designed well and work well with
and for a community. The true function of their civic role is that it acts as a place where
well as social and economic exchanges and improvements. These places are where
cultures are so diverse, they can mix well. A civic space acts as the “front porch” of our
public institutions, like post offices, courthouses, federal office buildings and allows
interaction between a community and the government. (Project for Public Spaces, 2009)
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1. Benefits
livable.
Great public places can become world-renowned, attracting people and making
a place livelier and livable. This makes a community value such places, giving
and improving it even more. With that, a sense of pride and ownership is shared
amongst diverse groups of people and can help foster the teamwork to keep the
Great places increase land value. When a place becomes successful in leading
civic pride and providing a sense of place, people attract people, and where there
Provides relief from the urban environment. Places can help increase
and wildlife help in filtering out pollutants in the air the community lives in.
Public Places offer free, open forums for people to encounter art and enjoy
performances and other cultural activities. This attracts more people to the area
and appreciation for the arts and culture the community can offer and allows
2.4 COMMUNITY
A community is a small or large social unit or a group of people who all share
Communities often share a sense of place that is situated in a given geographical area
extend beyond immediate genealogical ties also define a sense of community. People
tend to define those social ties as important to their identity, practice, and roles in social
Although communities are usually small relative to personal social ties (micro-level),
"community" may also refer to large group affiliations (or macro-level), such
2006)
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Communities can be classified into three types. The first is the Location-based
Community, where the range of the community comes from the local neighborhood,
suburb, village, town or city, region, nation. These are called communities of place.
(Delanty, 2003)
It ranges from the local clique, sub-culture, ethnic group, religious, multicultural or
2.4.1 SOCIALIZATION
The earliest form of socialization is usually experienced in the early stages of life, when
individuals develop the skills and knowledge and learn the roles necessary to function
within their culture and social environment. For some psychologists, especially those
the ages of one and ten. But socialization also includes adults moving into a
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significantly different environment, where they must learn a new set of behaviors.
(Newman, 2005)
learn community norms. Other important influences include schools, peer groups,
people, mass media, the workplace, and government. The degree to which the norms of
with others. The norms of tolerance, reciprocity, and trust are important "habits of the
2001)
agencies to progress the social well-being of local, regional and, sometimes, national
organizing, seek to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with
the skills they need to effect change in their own communities. (Kelly, 1988)
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2.5 STEWARDSHIP
A community that achieves a good sense of community and good placemaking engages
stewardship:
Urban Stewardship – Caring for the urban commons is an act of individual stewardship
(long-term care of the public space/urban commons for the benefit of oneself and others
Civic stewardship – the activity or job of overseeing, protecting and being responsible
for something considered worth caring for and preserving (UN-HABITAT, 2015)
that even the informal public spaces are well-used by people, because of
programming such as festivals, events or farmers markets. (Proulx & Baron, 2015)
Make spaces human-scaled rather than too large, alienating people with
People often need to eat or drink, and spaces can be anchored with food no
matter what the food serving size may be. It invites people and suggests
human, and if you treat them with respect by acknowledging their need to
relieve themselves, they will feel welcome and more likely chose to spend
Spaces need to be regulated by the people who use them. The more rules
are put telling people what not to do, the less they are likely to use a space.
Spaces need people to be successful spaces, let people figure out how to
Give people various activities, inviting various types of people, to keep the
The aesthetic of a space added with eccentric or bold colors can establiish
8. Be Good to People
“It is so cheap to be sweet to people.” (Jan Gehl) Creating spaces that are
attractive to people who use the result to more people outside. This in turn,
People are the lifeblood of our cities, without them, cities cannot function.
where people meet with other people outside from home or work. A public
The following case studies are related to the proposed project in nature. Civic
buildings and public spaces are focal points, sitting in the very heart of communities.
conferences and cultural events. The architects’ main task was to give a contemporary
form to the interior, which will incorporate elements of the traditional Uzbek
architecture. The exterior combines classical elements with a modern glass façade.
(Miguet, 2016)
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materials, crystals, precious metals and interactions of natural and artificial light.
(Minguet. 2016)
2.7.2 MUCAB
school; a center for local development, women and youth (north building); a creche,
and a center for child care (ground floor), The building is grouped into three
The project appears beginning from a new planning in one of the city’s extension
areas. This plot consists of public equipment for the citizens’ enjoyment The open-air park
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stands out, that enjoys special conditions of the Mediterranean climate and social life for the
Bicol, Philippines. It replaced what once was a rented storefront in order to care for the 7000
children it serves. The new center features separate health and dental clinics, a library,
computer center, playground and dedicated spaces for meetings and program activities where
methods to be used for gathering the necessary data for the proposed Civic Center.
The research methods to be used will include a great involvement of the public, in
order to help achieve the sense of civic pride and stewardship due to playing a role in
3.1.1 INTERVIEW
A one-on-one interview helps develop a deeper sense of understanding the users
of the proposed projects. The physical presence and time allows an intimate and deeper
Data contain facts from studies conducted or information that are exact and
right. The researcher shall gather necessary data needed to fully understand the situation
and behavior of the community as well as collect standards and examples that can be
3.1.3 OBSERVATION
Observation makes use of the five human senses; sight, smell, hearing, taste and
touch. By performing observations on the site and its environment, the researcher aims
to gather data about the project which involves the experience of being physically
present in the site and in environments that are similar or related to the proposed project.
Research instruments are the specific method and approaches that the
researcher intends to use in order to gather the necessary data for the development of
the proposed project. The research instruments that the researcher will use in the
experiences and opinions will provide useful data in designing a people-oriented public
place.
church/es in the area are to be interviewed to gather data from a broader perspective.
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These members of the community have a closer understanding and relationship with
their deeper relationship with the whole of the community. Questions to be asked will
- Important Events
- Recent Events
In order to develop a suitable and effective public place, the general behavior of
people, or Filipinos are to be further understood, thus the research shall conduct
interviews with a psychologist and a sociologist, who understand the human behavior
of the poor sector, especially in living as a community. As people who have first-hand
experience when meeting and working with the poor sector, they have credible
knowledge that can be important for the research. By presenting the gathered data from
the conducted surveys and interviews to the said professionals, the researcher aims to
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further understand how to effectively design a place that is suitable for the behavior of
the chosen community. The expected output from the interview will follow the said
topics:
3.2.1.4 STAKEHOLDERS
The members of the community are the primary users of the proposed project.
The project will be designed using the residents’ lifestyle, behavior and character as the
foundation and framework for the project. Their involvement plays a vital role in
achieving a sense of community, ownership, pride and stewardship towards the project.
Their insight will be the starting point of usability and the ability to grow and become
a resilient community. The important insight from the community will be interviewed
-
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Important files that are needed for research are laws, standards and zoning
ordinances that can affect the project. Other types of data needed are studies on the
behavior and values of those in the poor sector, needed in order to understand their
behavior and design a community center specifically designed for them to use and take
The existing site, as well as the behavior of human and vehicular traffic, the
social behavior of the community will be observed to determine the effective designing
of spaces and networks within and around the site of the proposed project. The
documentation of the existing site condition of the proposed site and the surrounding
environment as well as the behavior of people around it will provide further references
Site observations during different hours of the day as well as the evening will
determine the general behavior and flow of people in and around the site. The site is
impacts of the macro climate has on the site. Observing pedestrian and traffic flow will
also help in addressing possible strengths and weaknesses of the proposed site. The
- Vehicular Traffic
- Pedestrian Traffic
- Site Inventory
Public places that attract human activity and local economies exist in various
places in Metro Manila. These places are teeming with life and activity, observation of
the experience to help determine what drives and attracts activity in such places. The
social behavior and dynamics of the public will help determine techniques in planning
and designing the proposed project. The following settings will be observed to aid the
- Weekend Markets
to earn and promote local craft like art and culinary. Since the proposed
project will cover an open market for local economies to contribute to the
The other poor communities that can be related to the site are the Smokey
- Plazas
Several plazas around the city, especially in Manila City lack human
4.1 Overview
The selection of the site for the project is an important factor that is needed in
to choose a site that is fitting for the function of the proposed project. The proposed
focuses, and will therefore be an important factor in critically choosing a site for the
said project, allowing a positive influence and impact on the site and the community.
The following criteria will serve as the basis in choosing the site for the project:
The Land Use and Zoning of the site must be appropriate for the
intended use of the project. The standards and policies set by the CLUP of the
Local Government of the City of Manila should be followed when planning the
proposed project. To maximize the use and potential of the said project, the site
community.
Accessibility
Having a nature of being a structure designed for the use of the public,
specifically its community, the site requires to be easily accessible to all types
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of people, as well as members of the community from various parts of it. The
site must be accessible to pedestrians and even the local community’s key forms
of transportation.
Access to Utilities
to make the said utilities accessible to the site, as well as to save on energy,
transportation, maintenance and other services required for the operation of the
utilities.
The site is secure from any external threats that can bring harm to the
users of the site. It is safe from natural threats like earthquakes, landslides, storm
surges and such that can bring harm to the users of the project.
Topography
The slope of the site is not too steep to allow open spaces for activities.
The slope can also be not too steep to add character to the site, structure and
The location of the site is not too far from the target community that the
Size
The size of the lot is large enough to accommodate big groups of people
who will be visiting the proposed project especially during major events that the
leisurely activities, but not too much to make the site less safe and secure. Space
Relevance to Community
The proposed project is a civic center to be designed for the use of the
public, most specifically the chosen community in which the site sits in. In order
by improving public spaces and facilities while avoiding the repetitive elements
well as the inventory of natural elements within and around the site. Enough
natural elements like plants and trees will help in the development of the site,
especially the open spaces. The lack of natural elements can allow further
development of the site, but a more natural look where design and planning of
The site may not necessarily be a greenfield and shall give the chosen
developed.
The project site is located in the Fifth District of the City of Manila, namely the
Port Area of Manila. It is a coastal district in Manila. Barangay 649, otherwise known
as the Baseco Compound is one of the one hundred forty-six barangays located in the
district. The district being a coastal district, houses the major ports of Manila, mainly
Baseco Compound is an urban poor community ever since its beginning in the
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a residential site for the people who were already living
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within the site. It consists of Engineer’s Island and two stone breakwaters that extend
out from it into Manila Bay. One borders the Pasig River, while the other protects
For many years, Baseco had been a ship loading and unloading site, as well as
a ship repair yard. It was once called the National Shipyard and Steel Corporation
Company.
The other parts of the Fifth District of Manila are Ermita, Intramuros, Malate,
Paco, and San Andres Bukid. These districts are known for the historical walls and city
of Intramuros, Rizal Park, National Museum, Manila Zoo, the University Belt, Manila
Post Office, Manila Ocean Park, Quirino Grandstand, Roxas Boulevard Baywalk, and
It is near the Binondo District (Third District), known for its Chinatown and
Divisoria. It is also relatively close to the Tondo District (First District of Manila),
where the infamous Smokey Mountain was located. It used to be a dump site that turned
into a mountain of garbage until it was closed down in the year 1995. The area is now
known to be greatly occupied by a great amount of those from the marginalized sector,
4.5.1 HISTORICAL
During the 16th century, a small settlement at the mouth of the Pasig
River had already existed. The abundance of Nilad plants along its banks gave
reached Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the head of the Spanish expedition, he set
out to conquer them. There were two battles that fought over Manila, with the
military outpost, Legaspi promptly declared the area as Spain’s capital of its
new colonies on June 24, 1571. The first plan for the City was drafted based on
King Philip II's Royal Ordinance issued on July 3, 1573 in San Lorenzo, Spain.
kilometers in area rose at the mouth of the Pasig River. That fortified city was
called Intramuros and was the City of Manila up til the 19th Century.
Spanish colonization was carried out not just by the sword but by the
cross. In fact, the establishment of Spanish settlements all over the country were
under the bells" outside of Intramuros was Sapa which the colonizers renamed
Santa Ana.
Intramuros. The Chinese community then grew outside of the city's walls. Indio
carpenters and masons, who worked in the city during the day, had to leave by
night; the city was exclusive to Spaniards during the evenings. In time,
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in choice locations to escape the congestion of the city and eventually, these
of political power. On July 31, 1901, Manila became the first chartered city by
succeed and to possess all the rights of property herein granted or heretofore
made Manila the first city in the country to gain local autonomy.
landscape engineer to prepare a master plan for the general improvement of the
city. Daniel H. Burnham and his assistant Pierce Anderson arrived in Manila to
study existing conditions of its environs. Their report, along with detailed plans
and descriptions were submitted in January 1906 and adopted by the Board in
June 1906.
Burnham's plan for Manila was in many respects patterned after his
design for San Francisco, using the same planning principles that had been
applied on the Chicago Fair and the city of Washington D.C. Generally, the
Burnham Plan put great emphasis on the Civic Center, linked to various points
of the city through wide radial boulevards. As the country's premier city,
Southern Manila Bay and other districts became industrialized. Social and
Unfortunately, the Second World War in 1941-44 left the city of Manila
in ruins. In the Pacific region, Manila was the most devastated capital:
thousands died and historical landmarks were erased from the earth.
It set up the National Urban Planning Commission to address the needs of the
land left in ruins by the war. The city was then divided into four congressional
districts as follows:
District I: Tondo;
District IV: Intramuros, Port Area, Ermita, Malate, Paco, Pandacan and
Santa Ana.
Reclamation projects along Manila bay began in the year 1910 and
continued during the period of 1956-1963. 278 hectares of land were added to
the Tondo area. In the year 1966, half of the reclaimed area had been occupied
opportunities" became a magnet for migrants from the provinces and its
population increased even as many Manila districts started to lose its old
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they were greatly empowered. Many of the functions and services that used to
be the preserve of national agencies have been passed on to the care of the City's
administrators.
congressional districts.
traffic congestion, problems regarding safety, peace and order, health and
As shown in the CLUP of Manila, the site is a node for an ideal open
The image above shows the Zoning and Land-Use Plan for Manila. The
Above is the Planned Unit Development Zone Plan of Manila, included is BASECO
Compound.
4.5.3 PHYSICAL
4.5.3.1 TRANSPORTATION
4.5.3.1.1 ROADS
within the City, as well as the movement inside and outside has
19 pedicab terminals.
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4.5.3.1.3 TRAFFIC
trips, accounting for about 11% of the total Trip Origins and
zones. The active trip desire lines are directed along the North-
gathered.
4.5.3.1.4 RAILWAY
its Western side while the Pasig River runs right through the city.
along the Pasig River, this service is not so well-used and efforts
City of Manila.
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4.5.3.2 INFRASTRUCTURE
4.5.3.2.1 PARKING
traffic problems.
crossing and for disabled, the elderly and young children should
through the city towards Manila Bay and the city’s hierarchy of
banking water of the Pasig River and other rivers, and the poor
light property and cause traffic jams that paralyzes city blocks.
4.5.3.3 UTILITIES
with the
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waste water treatment plants but their use may be seen in high-
Rodriguez Facility.
from the Ermita Station for the years 1993-1996, the city’s air
4.5.3.3.5 TELECOMMUNICATIONS
4.5.4 SOCIAL
4.5.4.1 EDUCATION
for education at all levels. The schools in Manila respond to this need,
and with their various locations, are fairly accessible to most residents.
public elementary schools than there are students in public high schools.
4.5.4.2 HEALTH
health centers are needed in the city. The Manila Health Department
reports that 22 new health centers will be constructed under the World
While there are more private hospitals than public hospitals, the
ratio is more favorable in the public sector than in the private sector.
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indicated by its declining crude birth rate. The crude death rate in
Manila, however, has generally been increasing, at least in the last five
1000 live births. The number of infant deaths can be lessened by factors
postnatal care, and better nutrition for both mother and child.
pattern in 1997-2001, but it has remained below the national rate. The
are preventable and curable. Most causes indicate poor health care and
4.5.4.3 HOUSING
of the total 15 million urban poor population, 65% live in slums and
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tracks, along river creeks and coastlines, under bridges, and beside
occupants, that is, they settle on the land of another without legitimate
title or right.
has been increasing over the years. It is generally accepted that the
performance.
had the least number of depressed barangays. The criteria for the
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5. Congested settlements
danger areas will need to be relocated. Danger areas refer to places that
pose a danger to the life and safety of either the concerned residents or
housing units as of 2000, there is a serious housing backlog for the City.
The housing program for illegal settlers is only 5% finished. On the other
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employees has not even reached 1%. The relocation of illegal settlers
The most vulnerable of groups in the city are youth and children.
the City of Manila working with the city government in caring for the
Theft and robbery are the two most common crimes in the City
to 124 cases in 2001. Index crimes increased from 47% in 1999 to 56%
poverty and drug addiction, and hence these factors need to be addressed
Precincts with 2,984 uniformed personnel of which 441 accounts for the
traffic police of the 170 outposts. These stations are all strategically
police personnel are needed to meet the standard of 1 traffic police per
3000 population.
There are also several volunteer fire brigades such as the Association of
In District III, there are three fire stations: the San Nicolas Fire
Station in Binondo, the Tanduay Fire Station in Quiapo and the San
reflecting the scarcity of open space in the City. Following the HLURB
standard of at least 500 sq.m. of parks and plazas per 1000 population,
reflecting the scarcity of open space in the City. Following the HLURB
standard of at least 500 sq.m. of parks and plazas per 1000 population,
facilities and to make these available to the public for free or for a
minimal fee. Not only do working toilets make recreation in public areas
more comfortable, but they also promote proper sanitation and curb the
spread of illnesses.
4.5.5 ECONOMIC
4.5.5.1 AGRICULTURE
one of the most densely populated cities in the country, next to Navotas,
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and it is fully built-up. Thus very little agriculture, forestry, mining and
revenues to the City. This revenue has reached Php 2.227 billion in 1997.
The port will remain the major international and domestic port for the
country in the future, and will continue to be one of the main entry points
and products from various parts of the country. It will also remain as the
defined and identified area, and is located on the street-level. These sites
also coincide with designated tourist districts and the location of retail-
Cruz, Quiapo and P. Casal zone, and the ErmitaMalate Zone. A further
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evidence of the lively commerce and trade and the vibrant informal
sector is that the City has granted permits to a large number of hawkers
4.5.5.3 INDUSTRY
floating population that does not reside in the city. Further, Manila is a
universities and technical institutes are located in the City and they cater
to students who are by and large from outside the City from overseas.
One can conjecture that it has a substantial pool of highly skilled and
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technical labor force. The city can therefore absorb the expansion of any
product development etc. Also, the city can develop among the students
allow for the build-up of family assets. The average annual employment
rate is lower than the national average. The relative stability of the
than the rest of the country. This is a potential resource for substantial
tax revenue, civic participation and market for various goods and
elsewhere.
4.5.5.4 TOURISM
heritage sites in the country. These include the Cathedral and various
districts such as San Miguel, Quiapo, San Nicolas and Sta. Ana. It hosts
the seat of government, and contains some of the most impressive civic
city, among them are the churches of Quiapo, Sta Cruz, Binondo, Tondo,
Pandacan, Sta Ana, Ermita, Malate, San Miguel, Sampaloc, St. Jude, the
mentioned, Manila is also the largest retail and wholesale center for
Metro Manila. Data from the Department of Tourism show that twelve
out of sixteen museums and seven out of ten performing arts theatres are
activities and the fact that these attract locals, tourism is effectively a
stable and major industry of the City that has yet to be fully utilized.
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agglomeration for shopping and small and medium scale light industry
lodging places for a clearer picture of the City’s tourism potential. The
eating places, pensionnes and lodging houses, and souvenir shops might
need to be encouraged.
by fluvial deposits of sand, gravel and clay. To the east of the ridge, similar
Part of the major soil consists of the Eutropepts, which are deep to very
deep well-drained dark yellowish brown, dark brown, yellowish brown, brown
alluvial soils with loam, silt loam, clay loam, silty clay or loam or sandy loam
textures. The moisture control section is not dry for 90 cumulative days in most
years. These soils have moderate to high inherent fertility. Its Ph levels can be
brownish or reddish acid tropepts that are formed from either acid rocks or under
high rainfall or both. Base Saturation is low or very low. The soils have low
inherent fertility and soil reaction is acidic w/ pH levels lower than 5.0.
4.5.7 WATER
The Pasig River, about 25 kilometers long, divides Manila into North
and South. The river provides drainages that link the Manila Bay with Laguna
de Bay.
receives water and wastewater from the National Capital Region. However, the
highly polluted major rivers draining into it, and the various activities along the
The drainage system of the City ranges from the river systems to the
river tributaries and creeks or “esteros”, and the large storm sewers which
collect run-off water from the large areas of the city. The smallest drains are the
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small ditches or drain pipes that run along the roadside and serve the individual
properties.
Within the urban area and along the main thoroughfares in the city, the
reinforced concrete box culverts and reinforced concrete pipes. The secondary
drainage system is a network of small drains within each neighborhood and each
of water is collected and runs along ditches parallel to the roads. In the absence
of such ditches, the runoff water flows towards the lower areas of the vicinity,
resulting to floods.
4.5.8 CLIMATE
20°C up until 34°C. The warmest temperatures are felt during the summer
month of April and coolest during the month of January. A large amount of
precipitation is experienced from the rainy seasons of June, and is at its highest
is generally hotter during the summer months, from March up until June.
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during July and August, where 10-20mm of rainfall is experienced for 1.9 days.
The Monsoon Season occurs during the months of June until September. Dry
days are more common from December up until April, where less rainfall can
be experienced in Manila.
4.5.9 POPULATION
1,581,082 persons, the second biggest in the National Capital Region, after
As per 2000 NSO data, the City of Manila has a population density of
41,282 persons per square kilometer (412.82 pa/ha), making it the second most
dense city in NCR, after Navotas. Manila is more than twice as dense as NCR
Despite Manila being the center of the metropolitan, the City of Manila
may have declined due to the out-migration from the city core to less denser
avail of facilities and services which they can find in places that are more
Ortigas and San Juan catered to the needs of the people seeking services that are
old city center is expected in most urban cores that have experienced rapid in-
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migration in the earlier years. In some older cities around the world where this
phenomenon has occurred, city officials have rehabilitated the inner core of
their city. They enhanced the historical heritage and the easy access to other
districts. They have been successful in attracting the residents back to the inner
million more than the census population. This indicates that a large number of
non-resident workers, students, visitors, and other daytime users of the utilities
4.6.1 TOPOGRAPHY
(http://en-ph.topographic-map.com/places/Philippines-5442398/)
topography is relatively flat, having some parts risen by a few meters compared
to the rest of the area, but most of the area that makes up the area is relatively
The site of the proposed project sits on an area with a flat topography
SIGHT
roads filled with informal economies and vehicles, both private and
public, parked illegally along the sides of the roads. The site is an
existing plaza with some informal resident’s homes. Generally, the view
of this area is highly urbanized but in a chaotic manner. Behind the site,
that happen around the site in the daytime and afternoon due to its
heavy foot traffic within the area. Vehicles and food stalls along the
HEARING
not as evident as in other areas. The general noise comes from the heavy
activity around the site, and during the times of coming to and dismissal
SMELL
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The site has a distinct smell of a polluted and urbanized area. Although
the stench is not that strong, it is evident around the site. Compared to
other areas of BASECO Compound, the general smell around the site is
residents.
TASTE
The food around the site are the typical kinds of food that can be
TOUCH
The site has been experiencing urban decay and the surroundings
and everything around it seem to be dirty and not ideal for touching. The
walkways are not wholly comfortable to walk on, and a lot of garbage
4.6.3 HAZARDS
4.6.8.1 EARTHQUAKE
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The nearest Fault Line to the site is 12.01 km, which is the West
buildings.
4.6.3.2 FLOODING
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DPWH flood control operations, clogging may have resulted from the
following:
Street Washings
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reclaimed piece of land along the bay, does not experience flooding, as well
not affected by the surge, but during an Advisory 2 Storm Surge, the
site for the project will already b experiencing a minimum of 1.5 mts
depth of flood.
4.6.3.3 FIRE
In the City of Manila, fire-prone areas are not from the congested
areas filled with built houses and structures, but are those where
found in the outskirts of the city and most are found in Tondo and in the
density of populations and homes that are built so close to each other
Since the site for the project has a informal settlements around
fire in the case that a major one starts within the community or area.
4.6.5 BOUNDARIES
Compound. One on the Western side, another on the Northern side, and the last
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being on the Eastern side. The road west to the site is used mainly for vehicular
traffic for the public schools located on that side of the site. The road on the
Northern side of the site is a larger road compared to the other roads around
BASECO Compound as it serves as an avenue that drives through the site from
East to West. The road located on the Eastern boundary of the site is another
avenue that connects the center of the BASECO Compound to 2nd Street, which
is the only road to access BASECO Compound from the mainland of the District
and City.
On the bottom border of the site, as well as parts of the Western side, is
The project site, according to the Manila City Land Use Plan and Zoning
and General Institutional Zone. The site is also intended to be a node for ideal
4.7 DIAGRAMS
4.7.3 Educational
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4.7.4 Religious
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4.9 CONCLUSION
The site, being located in BASECO Compound in Port Area, Manila, is suitable
for the proposed project. It sits perfectly in the heart of a community of informal settlers
who have been living in the area since its early days and with little opportunities for
improvement from their lifestyle due to the lack of opportunities for education and jobs.
Although the area is disconnected from the mainland of Manila and lacks various modes
of transportation to connect the community to the city, the site sits well in an area that
is walkable from all sides of the community and along its northern and eastern
boundaries are the main avenues to get to all sides of the area, allowing the project to
be more accessible and eventually improve the conditions of the local economies in the
area. It is an area fitting for its purpose as its designated Land Use is for Institutional
and Public Open Space, which are two of the important classifications of the proposed
project. The site, when redeveloped, can ideally become a starting point for finally
The challenges from using the site is the relocation of those from the present
informal settlers who are currently residing on part of the site. The scope of the project
does not determine the relocation process but it is suggested that through the major
participation of Gawad Kalinga in BASECO and in such situations, the informal settlers
may opt to move to their Housing Projects within BASECO or in other areas. Another
challenge is to ensure the security of the site and its users due to the evident presence
of violence within the community. Although GK, the Local Government and the project
itself aims to establish a community, a sense of place, stewardship and peace, it is still
up to the values of certain individuals to keep not just the site safe, but the entire
community as well. BASECO is also prone to flooding not caused by typhoons, but by
storm surges, which eventually leaves the entire area flooded at Advisory Number 2. It
is also prone to the hazards of fire and earthquake, and can be solved by proper site
planning and development as well as the use of materials for the project.
The project can reach its best potential in this location, serving as a magnet of
life and activity for the area, therefore establishing a stronger sense of community and
bayanihan through the various activities that the project and site has to offer for
5.1 OVERVIEW
place within a community that will have services for economic, educational, health,
institutional, social and recreational aspects of the community. The following are the
facilities for the benefit of its users, mainly the members of the community that
community.
in their activities. In the poverty setting, Community Centers serve as the source
of hope and opportunity. It is the shared space where feeding programs, health
livelihood programs, as well as educational projects are held in for the benefit
According to the Project for Public Spaces, civic centers like the
public, serve as the front porches of society where the government and public
meet. In a country where those governed lack the trust towards those in the
can interact and socialize. It provides an opportunity for the government to get
to know the public more, and the public to watch over and trust their chosen
leaders.
All office work and transactions of the government are often done in
their offices and the local government offices otherwise known as barangay
helping uplift the living conditions and instilling values for the development of
communities around Manila and in Tondo, DSWD has satellite offices present
just as important to have their presence in the community center just as the Local
Government is, especially since their job specifically seeks out to study and
improve the life of those from marginalized or depressed areas of the country.
Stations are also strategically placed throughout the several areas in Manila.
BASECO specifically has two satellite police stations, one being located right
As the community center aims to establish a sense of place and the civic
security of the community more accessible as it sits in the heart of the area. The
Police Station is also serves as a source of added security for the site, especially
Gawad Kalinga plays a major role not just in providing housing for the
squatters, they focus on forming communities and their values through various
marginalized sectors, along with their partners from the corporate sector.
In BASECO Compound, GK first built its community when the area was
caught under a great fire that left the area to ruins. The GK Community in
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 109
BASECO ages to more than 10 years and play a vital roe especially in
community building through various efforts. Their shared efforts and help in the
community center will help through their use of its facilities to further improve
additional spaces that can serve as temporary classrooms, daycare facilities and
facilities can be present to help make education accessible for the community,
especially the young. The Department of Education along with volunteers can
make use of such facilities to share knowledge and encourage learning among
the youth, and they can eventually find opportunities for higher levels of
One concern that the community center aims to address is the lack of
jobs and learning skills for livelihood purposes, These skills and knowledge
regarding livelihood can be taught and practiced with the help of the
more present for uplifting the depressed living conditions of such communities.
programs that GK can offer can focus on farming such as hydroponics and
vegetation farming, as well as creating products that can be sold to the local and
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 110
perhaps even to the international market. Such livelihood programs are done in
GK has feeding programs for Public Schools around the country and they aim
to have Central Kitchens in various areas for economic reasons. This provides
an opportunity for jobs and livelihood for volunteers and members of the
community.
also provides training for various livelihood programs and even provides
scholarship. Their programs can also be integrated for the various livelihood
with doctors and midwives who can be present most especially for emergency
cases, since hospitals that offer services for free or lower costs are often flocked
facilities too filled, especially for emergency cases, PWD and Pregnant Women.
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5.2.1.1 OVERVIEW
5.2.1.2 HISTORY
foster invention.” This law encouraged the private sector to get involved
the people of the Philippines.” Aside from science and research, the
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 112
Over the years FFI worked hard to respond to the evolving needs
of its various publics. After the People Power Revolution of 1986, the
shared value and inclusive business, it has four key program areas—
5.2.1.3 VISION
5.2.1.4 MISSION
change process.
business aspirations.
5.2.1.5 PROGRAMS
learnings.
faithful stewardship.
launched in 2015.
community issues.
2013, as well as Typhoon Nina, which hit the Bicol region, and
rehabilitation initiatives.
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 116
5.2.2.1 OVERVIEW
lifestyle.
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5.2.2.2 HISTORY
the work began as early as 1994 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, the
expanded its work to over 2,000 organized communities and has been
communities.
5.2.2.3 VISION
5.2.2.4 MISSION
5.2.2.5 PROGRAMS
Report include:
prepare a meal a day for the 50,000 kids for an entire school year.
from the local setting helps boost local economies. A meal costs
5.2.2.6 PARTNERS
reach other poor communities faster. The partners of GK, mainly from
the corporate world are called Bayani Builders. Besides partners from
5.2.3.1 OVERVIEW
education.
For the past decade, Mercy Relief has responded to more than 63
netball, The Hour Glass, Club 21, and many more, Mercy Relief’s
5.2.3.2 MISSION
5.2.3.3 VISION
5.2.3.4 HABI
bags, mats, slippers, trays, baskets and other stuff. HABI has started
improved sanitation facilities and two schools. They also conducted public
in the Visayas Region, as well as provided relief food packs. They also provided
transitional shelters for the victims of the Nepal earthquake back in 2015.
establish natural nurseries for fish to spawn and increase villagers’ catch. As the
mangroves mature, they also act as natural barriers against storm surges during
5.3.1 MISSION
government and public to uplift the economic conditions and create better
opportunities through partnerships with the public and private groups and civil
individuals in its facilities and activities for positive impacts and building a
stronger nation.
5.3.2 VISION
5.3.3 LOGO
shapes represent spaces and the shape of container vans, which is the modular
design focus of the project. The space of intersection symbolizes the meeting
point, or “tagpuan” of people; the government with the public, and connection
among the members of the community. The meeting point focuses on the
meeting of the community, the civic services and general public, an area for
conversation that can expand their knowledge and wisdom. It also symbolizes
the connection of the container vans that through modular design and
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 124
central point also emphasizes being the core of meeting in the community,
The use of the color blue represents the trust, faith, truth and loyalty of
the government and the public. It also represents the exchange of wisdom and
intersection, of both blue and orange represents the positivity and change in
provided for the community, like a breath of new air in the slums. The color
green also represents balance, which helps balance all activities and giving
of the members of the community and improving their lives through various
the community
MEMBERS OF LOCAL
COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY LIVELIHOOD
EDUCATIONAL HEALTH RECREATIONAL BARANGAY OFFICE POLICE STATION
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
HEAD POLICE
MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATION
OFFICER
as one of the main users of the proposed project. The Local Government
5.3.5.3 PARTNERSHIPS
community.
- Ayala Foundation
- Gawad Kalinga
5.3.5.4 SOCIAL
divided into three main offices; for Education, Health and Recreational.
main office also has its own Maintenance Office, in charge of the general
For the Educational Branch, the core office lies within the
community itself.
For the Health Branch, the core office is the Clinical office,
along with TESDA and Ayala Foundation are in charge of all affairs
main offices with their own management for affairs and businesses like
all the livelihood facilities for the community. The main branch of this
center.
5.3.5.6 GOVERNMENT
outsourcing and networking with partners, other LGUs and the such.
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has two main offices; the Barangay Hall and the Police Station.\
charge of all political work while the operations is the general manager
of all activities of the community and the center itself. The Maintenance
facilities and services are all done mainly for the members of the community,
charge of managing and maintaining the center, including the staff, barangay
admin, teachers, volunteers, doctors and the such. Unlike the primary users
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which are the members of the community, the secondary members have more
limited purposes to using or accessing the site, as they mainly visit the site with
the objective of providing services for the center and its users.
community, with like the other secondary users, have the objective of rendering
Other users of the TAGPUAN Community Center are the visitors from
outside of the community. Since the site establishes a sense of place, creating a
node that attracts people and activity towards the site, visitors are more than
5.4.4.1 STUDENTS
EVENING
WAKE UP DINNERTIME
ROUTINES
GO TO
SCHOOL OR STUDY/ WORK SLEEP
DESTINATION
GO HOME/
WAKE UP RUN DINNER
ERRANDS
SPEND TIME
MORNING
WORK WITH FAMILY/
ROUTINES REST
LUNCH
GO TO WORK SLEEP
BREAK
and are its primary users. Community members more often use the site
and its facilities. The exception to their activities are all work related to
communities who work in cooperative with the LGU and its partners
GO HOME/
MORNING
RUN SLEEP
ROUTINES
ERRANDS
WORK/
GO TO WORK FACILITATE
PROGRAMS
FACILITATE
LUNCH
PROGRAMS
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Kalinga, Ayala Foundation and DSWD. Their activities vary and depend
on the need for seminars and activities. They have their respective
offices and are made available for services especially when the
community has concerns and they also handle tours within the site and
GO TO WORK TEACH
TEACH LUNCH
there are lack of classrooms. Daycare teachers are present to take care
GO HOME/
MORNING
RUN SLEEP
ROUTINES
ERRANDS
RUN CHECK-
GO TO WORK UP/
OPERATIONS
RUN CHECK-
UPS/ LUNCH
OPERATIONS
The clinical personnel are the doctors, nurses and midwives who
public doctors, there work at normal operating hours with little activity
GO HOME/
MORNING
RUN SLEEP
ROUTINES
ERRANDS
MANAGE
GO TO WORK
COMMUNITY
MANAGE
LUNCH
COMMUNITY
the center. They work at regular working hours and focus mostly in
operating and managing all the incoming, outgoing and on-going affairs
and activities of the center. They are also in charge of maintaining the
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peace and order within the community. The exception to the regular
working hours are the policemen who patrol and are available for
emergency responses all hours, even in the late evenings until mornings.
GO HOME/
MORNING
RUN SLEEP
ROUTINES
ERRANDS
GO TO WORK WORK
WORK LUNCH
Livelihood workshops
Monday Gk seminars
Livelihood workshops
Tuesday Educational tuesdays
Livelihood workshops
Wednesday Midweek community meeting
Livelihood workshops
Thursday language proficiency workshops
Livelihood workshops
Friday Healthy fridays
Day of worship
sunday Family-oriented seminars and activities
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Start of advent
focus on the use of mostly steel and iron, with a few components that
under Type IV. All standards and rules required for Type IV
Group D – Institutional
Group E – Mercantile
Group J – Accessory
All standards and guidelines that follow the strictest among all
of the center.
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As per the Fire Code of the Philippines, the following are the
rooms.
used for the gathering of group of six (6) or more persons for
the strictest and most compliant among all the classifications as stated
above.
accessibility and mobility of the disabled when visiting the community center.
Provisions on ramps, handrails, parking slots, corridors, toilets and all design
requirements for accessibility within and outside of the building will be used in
considers the existing conditions through studies and data and prepares its long-
term plans. It is important to use and follow all ordinances, especially the most
recent Ordinance No. 8119, its Zoning Ordinance. Compliance ensures being
one with the city’s plan of guiding, controlling and regulating the future growth
and development, as well as protecting the character of the city. For the purpose
of the project, the proposed project will comply with the designs and ordinances
that require to be followed based on the classification of the building, and the
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MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS:
Community. All community centres should have in them the following as barest
minimum:
pregnancy, rape and other counseling (we could reduce phenomena like
if we had the counselors and the service resident in the centres); pension
collection; the very same government run social programmes could have
leadership space.
3. Nursery facilities and Homework centres for young children after school
Fame
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 144
gallery or exhibition space with links to the National Museum. The specs
8. A conference room
dancehall etc
10. A separate purpose-built performing arts hall with proper seating, lights,
sound, stage and back stage facilities like dressing rooms etc. Most
same as the National Performing Arts Centre specs so that the facilities
Foyer
A foyer is essential, even for the smallest centre. This should be a comfortable meeting
and assembly space where club and community notices can be displayed, a telephone
located and giving access to toilets and the main hall. The entrance should take the form
of a draft lobby floored with barrier matting and must allow unimpeded access for
wheelchairs. Storage space for pushchairs should be provided off the circulation area
Office
supplemented when necessary by paid, possibly part-time staff. In all but the smallest
facilities some form of staffing will normally be required to take bookings, collect fees,
supervise volunteers and ensure that the building is safe and secure. An office is often
included as a base for staff, a reception and bookings point, a records store and a
location for the master heating and lighting controls and fire alarm board. Alternatively
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 146
either case location should be in or off the foyer with views to the building forecourt
These are smaller rooms but often multifunctional. If used by playgroups the usual care
will be required in the detailing. The only sports potential is for table tennis and then
only if room dimensions are at least 8 x 4 x 3m high. Billiards and snooker tables require
Kitchen
Locate the kitchen to directly serve the main hall and at least one other space. Whenever
possible, position the kitchen on an external wall. Usual requirements are a large
domestic kitchen equipped with four-ring cooker, double sink, fridge, freezer,
microwave oven and possibly a waste disposal unit. A separate washbasin must also be
● Sufficient space between fittings for several volunteers to work simultaneously. The
● Serving hatches with inward opening foldback doors and an uninterrupted surface to
prevent spillage.
● Robust, low level shelving beneath the servery worktop if the kitchen is to double as
a temporary bar.
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● Easily cleaned surfaces that minimize impact noise and a non-slip floor finish.
Toilets
Plan male, female and disabled people’s toilets close to the entrance foyer and consider
the need for adjoining coat hanging space. The following figures taken from BS 6465:
Female
Male
There should be at least one toilet for wheelchair users. Minimum dimensions for a
unisex disabled people’s unit are 2.0 x 1.5m. Increase size to 2.5 x 2.0m for an integral
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 148
shower and changing bench. The door must open outward. In addition there can be a
requirement for:
performers.
All surfaces must be durable and easily cleaned. Cantilever basins mounted on a duct
to conceal pipework are most easily maintained. If soap dispensers are required they
steel includes alloying elements that affect the materials corrosion process.
Weathering steel forms an amorphous inner layer that protects the integrity of
the steel. Figure 1 shows the placement of the layer as well as its composition.
The continuity of the layer also adds to the protection of the steel
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 149
identified on steels exposed to rural and marine atmospheres for the periods of
up to five years
due to their exposure to natural elements. Cargo containers spend the majority
of their life outdoors on cargo ships, trains and trucks with little protection from
of reasons. First, their strength and durability provide both structural support
and a long life span. Their weathering steel construction provides not only
construction material puts an unused product to use. Also, the cargo containers
modular construction simplifies the design process. Much like bricks or CMU,
cargo containers are designed to specific standards. Table 1 lists the dimensions
building. Cargo containers are designed to be supported from the four corners
The cost of shipping empty cargo containers back to their starting location is
higher than the cost of buying a new cargo container, so many containers are
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 151
left sitting empty in ports all around the world. In 2012, according to Drewry
million TEU (Twenty-foot equivalent unit) 4 . That figure would estimate 32.9
containers in the market today. Overall, the cargo container should be viewed
1. Design criteria
1.1 Foundation
container homes. The modular units are placed on the floor slab
and secured with bolts or fixtures set in the concrete slab itself.
cylinder that is driven into the ground, while a pier is cast on site
precast piles.
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 153
that the end walls were the strongest load resistive components
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 154
containers
methods that are used to both reinforce and secure the cargo
one concern is that the removal of major walls will cause sag.
homes and can be used to secure the modular units together. This
corner fittings
container home. Also, voids can be cut into the container and
2. Educational adaptation
duration of this study was three weeks with eleven teams. Cargo
because of their durability and relatively low cost, thus make for an
knowledge they can apply in PBL blocks, and the PBL blocks
study, which is rather open ended, allows for students to purse the
3. Conclusion
survey shows that positive feedbacks received from the students but
activity.
education or recreation
Group D – Institutional
Group J – Accessory
heights not less than 2.40 meters. The first storey for buildings higher
than one-storey shall have 2.70 meters ceiling height, 2.40 for the second
storey and 2.10 for the rest. The above stated rooms with natural
square meters with the least dimension of 1.50 meters. The bath and
toilet must be at least 1.20 square meters with the least dimension of
0.90 meters.
window or openings equal to 10% of the total floor area of the room,
mts from any exit. Buildings equipped with complete automatic fire
6.2.1.1.5 SIGNS
confusion of traffic signs, signals or devices, nor shall they obstruct any
strip not less than 800 mm in width to separate the curb from the
by 12.00 meters.
of 100% of the dominant use and 50% of each of the non-dominant uses.
1 accessible parking slot must be provided for the handicapped for every
50 parking lots up to 150 slots and an additional slot for every 100 slots
thereafter.
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 167
community center:
The means of egress shall be sufficient to meet exit requirements for the
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 168
No exit enclosure shall be used for any purpose other than for
means of egress. The width shall not be less than nine hundred fifteen
When the occupant load for any storey or portion thereof is more
than five hundred (500) but not more than one thousand (1000), the
means of egress shall not be less than three (3); in excess thereof, the
of the side-hinged, swinging type. It shall swing with exit travel. The
minimum headroom shall not be less than two meters (2 m) nor any
projection from the ceiling be less than two meters (2 m) from the floor.
clear width. When a pair of doors is provided, not less than one of the
All fire escape shall have walls or guards on both sides, except
for height, which shall be 107 cm and 91 cm for fire escape for every
small building, the height being measured vertically from a point on the
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 169
stair tread 25 mm back from the leading edge, or vertically above any
of escape from fire, located near each exit and is easily accessible. An
purposes.
established routine.
in case of fire.
that all persons in the building, or all persons subject to the drill,
actually participate.
visibility thereof.
other occupancy.
and additions.
retardant properties.
A. Drills
be trained and drilled in the duties they are to perform in case of fire,
assembly.
occupants.
combustible materials.
materials.
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D. Smoking
F. Seating
except together in groups of not less than three (3) or more than
for seating (excluding dance floors, stage, etc.), there shall be not
more than one (1) seat for each one and four-tenths square meters
(1.4 m2) of net floor area and adequate aisles to reach exits shall
A. Drills
between drills and actual fires. If a drill is called when pupils are
going up and down the stairways, as during the time classes are
manner.
class. Great stress shall be laid upon the execution of each drill
made to make sure that all are accounted for, leaving only when
building and from each other as to avoid danger from any fire in
assembly point shall be planned for and used during other drills
order to stop the flow traffic during the period of the drill.
B. Signals
1. All fire exit drill alarms shall be sounded on the fire alarm
fire exists, they shall immediately call the nearest fire station. At
circumstances permit.
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 178
building, the recall signal shall be one that is separate and distinct
facility.
IRR.
covers.
attached directly to the walls but shall not exceed twenty (20%)
equipped with the type and size of casters to allow easy mobility,
(OUTSIDE)
m.
at the walkway.
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2.2 Curb cut-outs should have a gradient not more than 1:12.
particular danger to the blind, but they also reduce the effective
preferably higher.
SEC. 4. Handrails
than 50
SEC. 6. Signage
SEC. 7. Crossings
possible.
of the carriageway.
(PARKING)
1.1 Parking spaces for the disabled should allow enough space
3.70 m
(INSIDE)
SEC. 1. Entrances
SEC. 2. Ramps
2.2 A level area not less than 1.80 m. should be provided at the
SEC. 3. Doors
SEC. 5. Switches
SEC. 7. Corridors
waiting areas and other facilities or spaces shall not obstruct the
1.70 x 1.80 meters. One movable grab bar and one fixed to the
for lateral mounting; fixed grab bars on both sides of the wall
mounting
SEC. 9. Stairs
slipping:
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 186
m. from the entrance and should be easy to locate with the aid of
signs;
1.10 m. x 1.40 m.
Use Plan and Zoning Regulations of 2006 and providing for the administration,
3/MXD) but not vice versa, nor in another zone and its subdivisions (e.g.
I-1,I-2), except for uses expressly allowed in said zones, such that the
commercial and service uses. Enumerated below are the allowable uses:
center/establishments
area
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8. Accessory Uses:
b. multi-purpose hall/room
c. sports/recreation facility
The following is the Land Use Intensity Control ratings that shall be
SEC. 18. Use Regulations in General Public Open Space Zone (POS-
GEN).
zone except for structures that are integral to park and plaza.
promenades
2. Clubhouse/Multi-purpose hall/room
3. Accessory uses:
Security station
5. Accessory Uses:
security station
multi-purpose hall/room
The following is the Land Use Intensity Control ratings that shall
PP)
Field/Recreation
(POS-PSR)
support development.
be higher than ten (10) meters above the highest natural grade
knowledge needed for understanding the living conditions, values and needs of
communities from the marginalized sector, the researcher organized interviews with
these communities.
futures. The scope and nature of the jobs of those working in Gawad Kalinga are hands-
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 192
on when immersing and working with poor communities, making their experience and
familiarity important data to be used for the research and design of the community
center.
Building Communities is GK’s way of restoring the human dignity of the poor.
facilities for the poor. Movement Building, on the other hand, is about teaching
the community and its partners about caring and sharing, and to create an impact
in society.
gears, the involvement of each, are active through the participation of one, or
include how people see the poor act as lazy and dependent while the poor see
as “Slum Mentality” and in effect, less effort and hardwork is given to help
improve their current state of living, keeping the poor sector stuck in that state
Gawad Kalinga acts as the intervention to help the poor become nation-
builders. (shown in table above) One of the most important programs of the
Gawad Kalinga Inc. is the Values Formation Seminar. Before communities are
built, the benefactors of the GK Projects (poor families) have to undergo this
specific seminar. This is GK’s way of guiding communities to the proper path
and keeping their values in check as a way of helping change their mindset and
Formation Seminars for their communities even after their projects are built and
Some of the obstacles that the poor sector experience besides the slum
mentality are the lack of basic needs like food and water, lack of opportunities
These obstacles keep the poor from having a better life. GK’s strategies in
tackling these obstacles are by enabling access to land, food, education and the
benefactors do not receive these benefits for free. Through a thorough screening
After all the processes, the most daunting task is to help build the
community they will become a part of. In Gawad Kalinga, they call this the
Sweat Equity. Sweat Equity is the number of hours a benefactor must meet in
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 195
helping build the community. The type of work varies but mostly focuses on
the people. The number of hours they have to put may vary, some are at 200
hours, some at 500 and can reach up to 2000. Benefactors need to complete
these hours before they are granted with their newly-built homes.
encouraging the fathers of the families to be the one to work. They believe that
the father figure of being the provider of the family must be taken care of in
order for his children to look up to him, therefore creating a stronger bond in
the family and inspiring the children to work hard as their father did.
GK also has the Enchanted FARM, SEED University and a feeding program.
One of their current interests is building central kitchens throughout the city to
more than 10 years. The biggest problem they face is the chaotic neighborhood
which taint the values of those from their community. BASECO has become
one of the least tapped communities of GK at present and they aim to reconnect
with the members and provide Values Formation Seminars and livelihood
partnerships for certain projects to their common partners and invitations for
new partners. In their invitations, they list down their projects and their costs
Gawad Kalinga has two (2) types of partners; Local and Global. Local
partners are social entrepreneurs and business owners while Global Partners are
mainly done through donors and fund-raising through various offices located in
projects such as Php 155,000.00 per unit of housing and Php 650,000.00 – Php
800,000.00 for every multi-purpose hall or community center. The funding for
their projects are not limited to their allotment. When partners state their intent,
funding for projects may be bigger or lower based on the request and donation
of the partners for a specific project. In such cases, designs of such structures
implementation isn’t so strict. One example of this is the colorful paint used for
the exterior of their housing projects. Painting of the said projects vary
according to the need. Not all GK Houses look exactly the same in terms of
color.
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 197
Land used for projects are donated by the government. Gawad Kalinga
only provides funding for materials. For labor, they focus on the sweat equity.
There are certain cases when corporate partners require projects to be finished
as soon as possible, so they seek for help in terms of labor and construction. The
benefactors’ sweat equity hours are then used as volunteers in the community,
doing various work before the house is granted to them. Such work can be
helping the barangay hall, cleaning up, or any available positions available for
communities must be done at the soonest time possible. Some of these cases
include the disaster response for Typhoon Sendong and Typhoon Yolanda
victims.
square meters. It has an open plan to allow various types of activities to be held
in the community center, especially with livelihood training where spaces can
with having changes to their designs as long as they fit the present needs and
they are built together by the members and it is a place where they are assembled
for various seminars, workshops and occasions. Some of the other corporate
fire, through the efforts of GK and HABITAT for Humanities, BASECO was
rebuilt. The LGU is proud to have institutional facilities like public schools with
successful students and combined efforts with GK, HABITAT, PNP and DSWD
The Barangay Hall that acts as a community center, as well as its civic
center, isn’t easily accessible as it lies at the border of the community. The Local
Government Unit is willing to move their offices and center to a more accessible
location. They are willing to work to improve their facilities and services for the
community.
One of the main focuses of the LGU is to provide job opportunities for
their people. One way of doing so is by providing venues and programs that
allow livelihood training that can prepare the community become more
competent nation-builders and earn better. This is one solution they find to solve
poverty since although they have public schools, opportunities are still thin even
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 199
for highschool graduates. They want to improve the local economy and living
situations by giving the people a boost to help them get jobs or earnings. The
site was given by the LGU as an effective location to serve the purpose of the
community center.
Although the local government has provided basic facilities like usable
community halls, day care centers, basketball courts, a market and a health
center, the current facilities cannot accommodate the large density of population
they govern. The Barangay Admin acknowledges the changes in the demand of
the people according to the trends of society, in terms of facilities. There are
times when the demand is for livelihood programs and there are times when the
demand is for jobs, food, etc. The local government tries to address these
problem by providing spaces with changing uses, in order to meet with the needs
Precinct, all police matters they handle is mainly to quickly respond to the
barangay, filled with various problems like gambling, fights, theft and family
problems. There are also cases of extreme violence such as stabbing and rare
cases of gunshots.
The police have checkpoints and patrol the area frequently. Since
BASECO doesn’t have proper roads, they only have 1 vehicle and a motorcycle
or bicycle that patrols the area. All cases that need to be dealt with police matters
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 200
are blottered in the police station and the person held as a suspect in crime is
Presently, the local police station have very basic facilities, simply an
office and restrooms. In extreme cases that suspects are held in the station for
more than 2 hours, there in no proper detaining facility. There are only a few
proposed site of the project. Given that it becomes the center of the community,
the police station may or may not move to the new site but can include another
satellite police station that can be more accessible for quicker responses to
site studies. The data and information provided by the CLUPZO are mostly used
in the study of the macro and micro setting of the project site. Physical, Social
and other aspects like studies on transportation and activities of human and
shows data on the population especially of the marginalized sector and its
demographics.
Zoning and Ordinances that the project needs to comply to as following the
T A G P U A N C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r | 201
development plans of the city. These data are used in studies in Chapter V of
this research.
The laws and design standards are data needed in the design
with the zoning ordinances of Manila City must be carefully studied and
followed.
tackling the problems and living conditions of the slum areas in Manila, more
the films was to show the conditions in the slum areas by focusing on the lives
of a charcoal-making pit, and many more, The documentary gave a deep insight
on how these people from the marginalized sector cope with their problems and
lives in general.
who live on houses with stilts who get affected by storm surges, those who live
underneath bridges but above the dirty waters of esteros or rivers, and those who
or organizations. Insight on their jobs and views are given, as well as how the
2. No livelihood opportunities
4. Violence
6. No permanent jobs
conditions of the poor and to be able to list down problems that can be solved
used to be. The mountain of garbage has been covered entirely by various plants
and the foul stench one may expect to smell upon visiting the site is surprisingly
absent. The area was filled with activity, so much people were walking on the
streets, children playing, elders doing their business, and so much other
activities that make the community seem so lively. A clueless visitor would
probably never have known the area was once a dumpsite filled with informal
settlers and garbage. The mid-rise housing projects stood out. The Barangay
Hall which greets visitors at the entry of the community was ideally a great
location. DSWD and DENR had their own satellite offices, showing how well
the government took care of the place and rehabilitated it. Through various
build a community that uplifted its living conditions and economic conditions.
congested area still filled with informal settlers. There are markets, a court,
places of worship. The most important character of BASECO is the area filled
with houses on stilts. This shows how much people still live in poverty, as
BASECO has been a squatters’ area for decades. The area is not easily
transportation are directed towards or outwards from it. There are only a few
formal roads in Baseco, the rest are unfinished or are informal roads.
area, unlike in privatized communities. Children are seen playing, the elderly
relaxing outside of their homes and many adults are observed to be on the go,
busy with work or errands. BASECO is a busy area despite its polluted and dirty
areas. The image below is the existing open space that will be developed as a
above shows their famous community center, the Hyundai Hall, where
also has scholars who all work and train for social entrepreneurship,
The entire community have specific tasks and shared areas like
community farms and have various activities daily, most importantly the
Brew and the stuffed toys which are products made in the farm by the
The Barangay Office of Baseco stands out in color and size in the community.
Despite its size, it lacks sufficient office space inside. The office entry is uninviting and
dark and once reached the 2nd Floor where the actual office is, the spaces for circulation
are narrow and are filled with clutter. Being on the second story, the office is not
accessible for the disabled as it lacks PWD Facilities. The Barangay Hall considers this
to be there community center even if first and foremost, it is not easily accessible in
dark and has poor circulation spaces for the general public to use. Getting to the
community center is difficult as it is not strategically placed at the boundary of the area,
7.1.1 EDUCATIONAL
Educational facilities are focused on teaching the youth. In the case that
classrooms are needed or that there are alternative or special classes prepared
for the community, the center provides spaces available to use for such purpose.
these spaces, except for the Satellite Library, which is accessible to all members
of the community.
Satellite Library
Toilets
7.1.2 HEALTH
Health facilities are basically satellite clinics for the community due to
the lack of clinics and proximity to hospitals. The center features three types of
clinics; a general clinic for check-ups, a maternity clinic for maternity cases,
and a 24/7 emergency response clinic that will be the first response to
Emergency Ward
Nurse Station
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Waiting area
Formation Seminars and other seminars and activities they prepare for the
community.
Waiting Area
Reception
Community Gallery
programs and training for communities. The main focus for the
made available and are flexible for the varying needs of different types
community itself.
Storage Rooms
allows a venue for the public and the government to meet in a shared space.
The local barangay office will transfer to the new community center
A satellite police station will be located along with the LGU Office
as added security to the site and also to make the Police Office more
accessible and proximate to all areas around the community in the case
Toilets
Storage
Cheap, rentable spaces are provided to help the local economy to grow.
- Market Stalls
- Driver’s Lounge
- Karinderia
Recreational Facilities and Spaces are made available for the general use
of the members of the community, mainly for physical activities or for leisurely
purposes.
Playground
Jogging Path
Multipurpose Court
Assembly Halls
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Nursery Day- Kindergarten Day Library Teacher’s Office Parent-Teacher Children’s Toilet
Care Care Lounge
Nursery Day Care
Kindergarten Day
Care
Library
Teacher’s Office
Parent-Teacher
Lounge
Children’s Toilet
7.3.2 HEALTH
Emergency
Operating Room
Emergency Ward
Waiting Area
Nurse Station
Storage
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GK Office
Gathering Hall
Reception
Community Gallery
Classrooms
Community Farm
Storage
7.3.5 GOVERNMENT
Chief Office
Office Space
Toilets
Storage
Detaining Units
7.3.6 MARKET
Stall A Stall B
Stall A
Stall B
Legend:
Desirable
Neutral
Undesirable
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7.4.1.2 HEALTH
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7.4.1.3 RECREATIONAL
7.4.3 GOVERNMENT
7.4.3.1 BARANGAY OFFICE
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to grow around these focal points because they are so inhabited and self-sustaining with
life and economy. Eventually, Filipinos veered away from public spaces due to different
factors like, heat, safety and health. Nowadays, people often gather in commercial
establishments, most especially shopping malls, rather than in public parks, plazas and
civic buildings like museums and libraries. This invites consumerism. Local economies
and growth opportunities for small businesses are interrupted. People have veered away
from their own public places in their community because of the strong mall culture of
Filipinos.
the plaza. It was a place full of activity and life, brining together the members of a
community and visitors for various reasons or events like fiestas or simply a place to
visit during the pastime to spend time with friends or families. The plaza was
strategically placed in the heart of every town, surrounded by civic buildings, religious
shifted from plazas and parks to commercial establishments, mainly shopping malls.
Plazas remain but are not as visited as they used to be. Malls have become the new
The idea is to create and establish a place made for the people; a place where
people can spend their time in without spending money; a place where people can come
to commune and strengthen the bayanihan spirit within a community; a place where
exchange of forum and of learning can help in the development of a community; a place
where people from different parts of a community and from different walks of life can
“architecture as an experience”
Architecture becomes truly iconic not just because of the way it looks but also
by the way it works; the way it establishes a connection between the architecture and
the user. When it creates a relationship from the various experiences of the users, that
is when a person through various senses and personal experiences, actually remember
- To develop and plan public spaces that will initiate social interaction amongst
- To promote the local economies and markets in BASECO compound that will
- To promote and engage civic pride and stewardship through the design of
spaces and places that are made for the people of the community
- plan spaces inside and outside structures that will generate social interaction
- provide spaces and facilities that will can open the community to opportunities
8.6.1 Interconnectivity
8.6.2 Active
The users of the community center are meant to be kept moving in order
to push them towards interacting with one another and keeping the site as lively
8.6.3 Accessible
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visiting and using the site, may it be physical or social. The project is to be open
to people from all sides of the site and all areas of the community,
8.6.4 Cross-Ventilation
The cost of energy comes at a high price for big facilities. The project
aims to use as minimal energy as possible by maximizing the natural wind and
8.6.5 Sustainability
that through its facilities and cooperation with the community, the building is
building and its users, the project can become sustainable as it maintains life as
8.6.6 Zoning
By properly zoning the facilities of the center within the site, businesses
and other structures surrounding the site can easily benefit from the project.
8.6.7 Modular
over time, and the community center must address this growing demand as time
- The aesthetic of the interiors and exteriors make use of the industrial
style, inspired by the slums’ sticks and stones style of construction; building
houses from whatever material is available, mostly scraps of wood, steel and
bare concrete. By designing something that is familiar with the context of the
site, its users will not feel out of place, encouraging them to actively visit the
center.
8.7.3 Vegetation
are provided around the site and even on the structure to help give the
- In the slums, jobs are temporary and are the only source of income for
the people. The center as it is designed for the use of the community, is to be
- the community center, as it generates life into it must also help sustain
the life that uses it, in a symbiotic relationship with one another. Aquaponic
farm units are provided for the livelihood of the members of the community,
Manila, especially in BASECO Compound. These modular units are cheap and
can easily be modified for various uses as singular or grouped units. Repurposed
containers will act as modular systems that will address the growing demands
In form-finding of the building, the design inspiration came from the stick-and-
stone construction from the slums, making use of available materials and incorporating
1. A base is provided
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4. A steel framing is provided for the modular units and to allow sun and wind to easily