Demand for open spaces cannot be ignored

LAST weekend, several thousand people flocked to Manila's oft-criticized "dolomite beach" to enjoy some fresh air and the novelty of a walkable seashore in the heart of the city. The evident public appreciation for the beach is a clear message to government planners: open spaces are considered valuable by the people, and to continue to ignore the demand for them is irresponsible, perhaps even inhumane, here in one of the densest urban environments on earth.