Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines had one of Asia’s fastest expanding economies, with significant investments in infrastructure as with airports and power grids, all of which are critical for long-term economic development. And one of the primary driving forces behind this is the role of the President of the Philippines. The majority of those leaders that the Filipinos have worked with have a legal background. Several are economists, while nine are lawyers, including the incumbent president Rodrigo Duterte.
When managing administrative structures and political stability are being considered, it makes sense. Presidents serve as the head of state, exercising authority over executive offices and the adoption of specific policies. Thus, legal knowledge helps massively. There are, however, a few more variables to consider while improving national planning and development in order to head a rising population. What if the next leader has a different background, say one that deals with a more tangible application? What if the next president of the Philippines is an architect? Or better yet, a president with a strong advisory panel of architects and urban planners?
Architects, as designers and planners, are community leaders who share a great deal of responsibility for the design and development of their communities. They exemplify the characteristics of a great leader due to their diverse experiences in mathematics, physics, technology, construction, building codes, law, history, and social studies. As an exercise, let’s briefly contemplate the idea of nation-building through the eyes of an architect.
Looking At The Bigger Scale
Architects see the world through a different lens. They can create their own world from scratch. They have to be able to imagine what has never been built before and create a vision for the future. There are many different types of architects but they all have an eye for detail, creativity, and understanding of spatial relationships.
Contrary to what is known, architects don’t just design buildings, but they also plan environments. They understand that a single design decision may have far-reaching consequences in the larger scheme of things. This is a required sensitivity while managing a nation of 107 million people spread throughout an archipelago. Trained planners consider matters on a macro scale, such as how well-organized systems may have a significant impact on people’s quality of life.
Efficiency In Urban Planning
As with neighboring nations’ flourishing cities, smart urban planning may be the solution to many of the challenges confronting Filipinos on a daily basis. The program we want should be capable of promoting market connectedness and equality of opportunity. Additionally, it should include the sustainable use of all resources.
However, the Philippines’ present form of urban planning is fragmented and advantageous to just a few. As a result, larger cities have become crowded, while others have remained underdeveloped.
A forward-thinking designer as the president of the Philippines may prioritize national regeneration over politics. The impact framework will have to be efficient, continuous, and vibrant for future generations, with a strong emphasis on national identity, culture, history, and tourism. The nation must spend more on education and make better use of its natural resources in order to improve its competitiveness.
President Of The Philippines On Housing and Entrepreneurship
While there is an abundance of migrants, the shortage of affordable housing is due to two reasons. The first is the monopoly on land resources. Private developers have the capital to occupy the majority of the city’s prime locations and artificially inflate property prices, leaving the marginalized sectors behind. The second is enterprise monopoly. Small businesses’ struggle to compete has turned virtually all beloved local services into the areas of urban decay that exist today.
Many urban Filipinos are then compelled to live on the streets and along the sides of roads. They are forced to construct their own improvised houses out of salvaged items. Previous and ongoing Philippine government has been acutely aware of this issue for some time and is presently instituting a national housing program with the aim of resolving the issue in the near future.
An architect would understand that the working class is the city’s backbone. They are comprised of construction workers, utility employees, vendors, and other informal laborers who contribute to the city’s cycle’s development and operation. Additionally, an architect would understand the financial costs associated with the development and maintenance of any class of lifestyle.
As a result, simply providing free housing could have negative social and economic consequences. Which results in tight boxes constructed of substandard materials to accommodate extended families of five or more.
Therefore, housing initiatives should become considerably more comprehensive. It must involve both education about the benefits of improved living conditions and a rebirth of entrepreneurship through local businesses and small commercial enterprises.
Public Services As National Landmarks
The public sphere is the oldest platform of government. They are used to convey ideas, beliefs, and even the community’s cultural sensibility. By its very nature, the whole institution is symbolic, as when individuals choose to embrace it, they are committing to safeguard and care for one another. Every day, public places are utilized for a variety of purposes, including political demonstrations, municipal parks, and welcoming visitors.
Architecture also plays a big role in developing public services. Police and fire stations, libraries, municipal halls, and medical centers are critical connections for the communities they serve. How these buildings are represented help define the government’s character and type of interactions between people and public employees. One of the major achievements in designing public buildings is making meaningful spaces that allow members of the community to be engaged, while still meeting security and budget requirements.
With the election of the next president of the Philippines, many would be left to wonder what the future holds for the country. In this uncertain time, some have argued that it’s important to focus on improving public institutions at the ground level. Evidence from other countries has shown that investing in public institutions at a local level can help revitalize national identity and create a thriving future for generations to come.
Transportation And Accessibility
Good design is not just about the form, but also the circulation. The movement of people and resources compensates for economic growth. And this is comparable to having efficient freight and public transportation networks.
In essence, movement should be built around national development goals. As with the “Build, Build, Build” initiative to boost infrastructure development and industry development, the next president of the Philippines should be able to continue the vision to eventually generate strong growth throughout the archipelago, creating employment and improving the lives of Filipinos.
Additionally, cities should be made walkable with the installation of better sidewalks and footbridges. This is seen in emerging urban models such as the concept of smart cities. It promotes the concept of mixed-use complexes, which include mixed-use residences, employment, and other support services. An architect as the president of the Philippines would understand the need of expanding and improving transportation choices for the broader public as well as everyday commuters inside towns and local districts. A beautiful example would be safe and naturally shaded bicycle lanes linking nodes of residence, employment, and recreation.
With all of these aspects in mind, there will be reduced reliance on private automobiles. Road networks will be developed to accommodate public transportation and pedestrians. Gradually, this will also help to alleviate congestion and air pollution, while also encouraging healthy social interaction.
Bringing Green Spaces Back
Shopping has become a prevalent form of socializing for Filipinos and has even been seen as a public engagement. The emergence of malls coincided with the emergence of commercial districts in Manila. It is a fact that many Filipinos also see malls as meeting places and as a second living room.
With the globalization of urban spaces and the increasing pace of life, people are spending less time engaging in activities such as sports and exercise. This is leading to a rise in obesity, cardiovascular diseases and other illnesses. Public spaces should be re-conceptualized into recreational spaces to promote healthy lifestyles.
An architect would realize the importance of tree-lined parks and plazas. These public spaces offer a valuable space for people to get out of their homes and work environments, relax, and get some sun. In addition, these green spaces provide a variety of physical opportunities such as recreation, exercise, and contemplation.
Parks, gardens, and green spaces are disappearing and quickly diminishing in urban sprawls. Despite that it has been proven that time in the great outdoors can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies even show that people who visit parks often also experience better mental health.
Trees can even improve air quality, reduce crime rates in areas near them, and help maintain better temperature control in cities by absorbing heat from the sun.
Hopefully the next president of the Philippines can generate more parks, planting programs, and green spaces as a good way to make cities more livable.
Heritage Preservation
Another widespread misunderstanding is that development is always about building something new. Heritage buildings are usually seen as dead ends and are replaced with newer establishments. But architects see the importance of learning from and embracing our past.
A lot of heritage buildings are in need of revitalization. These buildings can be repurposed into new spaces that are not only great for the community but also become cultural landmarks that people would want to visit.
Some initiatives in the Philippines help in conserving heritage buildings for future generations. There are groups of Filipino architects, artists, and graduate students active in preserving oldest churches. Some are even contributing in the preservation of church ruins as museums.
The Philippines is a country with a rich and diverse tribal culture. Despite these differences, there are still plenty of historical landmarks in need of rehabilitation programs that can proudly unite the Filipinos.
A President Of The Philippines For Social Architecture
For the longest period of time, the nature of architecture has been associated with large and majestic buildings. But the current trend of architecture is changing. Designers are now increasingly focusing on the human element and how their structures will affect its inhabitants. The idea of design with a focus on the people has been coined “human-centered design”.
Social architecture is the design of space that has deliberate intentions to bolster equitable and inclusive outcomes. It is the conscious, creative, and iterative process of building environments that are responsive to social needs, reflective of local culture, and sensitive to global contexts.
Achieving the goals of social architecture requires listening to and including people in the process. Like in any architectural project, participatory design is when the designer collaborates with all stakeholders. The more inclusive this process is, the more likely it will be successful. This two-way communication ensures a better understanding of the needs and finding the best way to respond to it.
United With The New President of the Philippines
All these perspectives are necessary to usher in a new angles on nation building. The Philippines has been struggling for some time now to find its footing as a country and the economy has been making what seem to be incremental improvements year after year.
The president of the Philippines must continue to prioritize the interests and well-being of the people but in conjunction with the typology they are in. Much like how an architect meets the requirements and expectations of every project.
With that said, there is no need to wait and rely on that single beacon of change. When one designer can envision all these plans, what more can thousands do together?
