Zamboanga: Urban revitalization toward a global gateway city

THERE are 145 cities in the Philippines and there is much diversity of natural and built environment, flora and fauna, culture, geography, hidden Edens, and economic opportunities outside the confines of Metro Manila. Our country is blessed with abundant ecological resources. And to be able to grasp the vastness of our country, in terms of land area, take note that the National Capital Region (NCR) is the smallest region in the nation. It is only one-fifth of 1 percent of the entire country; Laguna Lake is even bigger than Singapore; and our coastline is the third longest in the world, much longer than the coastline of the mainland of the United States of America.

On June 24 and July 9, my presentations on the “Postcards From the Future” got a positive, resounding response. There was so much elation when people were reminded that there is an entire country outside the chaotic urbanization of Metro Manila, and that there are many possibilities that can be done to alleviate the catastrophic traffic, flooding, housing, and other urban ills. Most of all, these planning, architecture, and development recommendations are technically viable, socially desirable and economically feasible!