Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 1

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Every year, Philippines is suffering from different natural disasters such

as super typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan) and the strong intensity six
earthquakes that hit the Visayas region. According to Chang (2009), hazards
of nature such as floods, earthquakes, typhoons, and climate change pose
growing risks to development. When infrastructure fails during a natural
disaster, it can interrupt vital services, magnifying the need for well-functioning
systems beforehand. Disaster- resistant concepts in buildings stated by
Cauffman (2013), is the use of different ideas into a system to be capable to
maintain acceptable levels of functionality during and after disruptive events.
The evaluation on the application of disaster- resistant concepts in Philippine
modern buildings takes place in the cities of Marikina, Taguig and Makati ---
Marikina Riverbanks Mall, SM Aura, and Greenbelt 5. The three locales of the
study are considered to be disaster- prone areas. Marikina City is known to be
susceptible to different threats such as typhoons and earthquakes including
Typhoon Ondoy (2009) and southwest monsoon flooding (2012). Primarily,
flooding within Marikina is caused by the increase of water level in major
rivers and its tributaries, followed by overflowing from its riverbanks to
low-lying areas throughout the city. Moreover, some of its parts are located in
the West Valley Fault System (such as Marikina Riverbanks Mall) which is
dreaded to strike anytime soon. On the other hand, Taguig City has some of
its parts that are also located in the West Valley Fault System comprising SM
Aura which is sited more or less 300 meters from the fault line (PHIVOLCS,
2013). Then, the progressive Makati City which is composed of different
skyscrapers and shopping centers (City Government of Makati, 2013). It is
considered as one of the most populous city in Metro Manila. It is situated
beside Taguig City which is known to be located in the West Valley Fault.
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 2

The evaluation on the application of disaster- resistant concepts in the

Philippine modern architectural buildings will contribute on the development of
standards on disaster-resilience.

Background of the Study

Nowadays, disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, not just in the

Philippines but around the world, are getting stronger because of climate
change. In this, the demand for disaster- resilient buildings in the country are in
high state. According to PHIVOLCS, Philippines belongs to the Pacific Ring of
Fire (also known as the earthquake belt) which leads to different faults that can
be seen in the country especially in Metro Manila. One example of this, is the
known West Valley Fault System (formerly known as the Marikina Valley Fault
System) in which places such as Marikina, Taguig, and Makati belonged to.
However, in the innumerable buildings that can be seen in the country, how
many of them really followed the National Building Code of the Philippines and
have the applications of disaster- resilient concepts? Are they really prepared
for the “Big One”? The use of effective design standards for a certain facility or
structure has a great impact when it comes to different aspects of design (such
as aesthetics, economy, and functionality) and especially, the convenience of
the users. In this research, the researcher wants to contribute and portray the
use of evaluation in the application of disaster resistant concepts in the
Philippine modern buildings. In addition, this research study aims to be a source
of information that Philippine Architects, students, future researchers and
people in the community can incorporate and distribute.
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 3

Objectives of the Study

Metro Manila is known to be a disaster- prone area. In this, the

research will be conducted with a goal of developing the minds of the people
when it comes to disaster- resistant buildings. The following are the definite
objectives that the researcher wants to achieve:

1. To identify different disaster-resistant concepts.

2. To assess the effectiveness of the concepts used in the chosen

buildings.

3. To determine the strengths and weaknesses of the location and at the

same time, the structure itself.

4. To develop concepts that must be applied to other structures.

Significance of the Study

The researcher will investigate and evaluate some Philippine modern

architectural buildings in Metro Manila based on its usage and application of
disaster resistant concepts. Then, it will be furtherly explained and proved with
the related literatures and studies. These evidences will be the foundation on
broadening the knowledge of the respondents.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This research study would be done to distinguish the state and

importance of the use of disaster- resistant concepts in the Philippine modern
buildings in Metro Manila as perceived by the Architecture students and
professionals in the years 2005-2016. The researcher will look information on
the characteristics, methodologies and concepts used in the said buildings.
Solutions to the problems will also be proposed.
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 4

Chapter 2

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Related Literature and Studies

Disaster-Resistant Concepts

According to Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery

(2013), the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable nations in the world when
it comes to natural hazards. In addition, it ranked fourth in terms of exposure
to at least three hazards, fourth in mortality risk, and ninth in economic impact
to GDP, with an estimated 78.7% of GDP to areas at risk. It is also estimated
that the economic impacts of natural disasters from direct damages cost an
average of 0.7% per annum from 1990 to 2008.

Stephen Cauffman in his “Disaster Resilience of Buildings,

Infrastructure, and Communities” (2013) believes that the built environment
repeatedly fails during hazard events. In this, performance of the built
environment is highly dependent to codes and standards in place at the time
of construction, enforcement, maintenance, and operation.

This belief was used and strictly applied in different countries even in
shelters. In fact, in Armenia, temporary shelters were built to slightly higher
standards after the 1984 earthquake so that they could later be used as
housing for the poor. Shelters built using disaster resistant construction
techniques are not only safer, but they also provided decision-makers with an
option for future construction choices. In India, the Maharashtra Emergency
Earthquake Project promoted simple earthquake-resistant features based on
building regulations that villagers could understand and apply. In informal
settlements, which typically do not comply with building codes, safer building
practices need to be disseminated in easily understood ways (Independent
Evaluation Group, 2006). In flood-prone areas, raising houses above flood
levels—by putting them on pillars or using higher foundations, for example—
can reduce the vulnerability of residents. In Bangladesh, a post-flood housing
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 5

reconstruction project introduced capping of traditional earth plinths with

cement stabilized soil, which proved effective in subsequent floods
(Department for International Development and Practical Action Bangladesh,
2010). Bangladesh has also built multi-storied cyclone shelters in coastal
regions, providing refuge from storm surges for coastal inhabitants (IPCC,
2012). In Southern India after the 2004 tsunami, World Vision built tsunami
extendable houses with earthquake-resistant structural cores that allowed
building another floor without compromising the strength of the structure
(Ahmed, 2011).

Disaster- resistant concepts were also being applied even in

institutional edifices and roads. In Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, retrofitting a
typical “brick in mud mortar” school was done at about half the cost of
demolishing and building similar-sized schools (ADPC, 2003). Even so,
buildings with weak materials tend to benefit less from retrofitting than newer
buildings constructed with good materials. Moreover, in Timor-Leste,
measures to reduce the risk to roads of erosion from extreme waves included
constructing earth levee banks with rip-rap protection and installing larger
drains and additional culverts to accommodate heavier runoff (Asian
Development Bank, 2010).

Utilities such as energy, water supply, and sanitation also have impacts
to disaster resilience. In accordance to Asian Development Bank’s Journal on
2012, measures to improve resilience include more robust designs, safe
temperature and humidity limits for power generation plants and their
components, higher wind and seismic stresses, multiple transmission routes,
and system improvements to improve supply-side efficiency. In Ho Chi Minh
City, retrofitting high-risk power infrastructure was identified as a means of
protecting against storms, flooding, and increased temperature and salinity. In
the water supply and sanitation aspects, the Department for International
Development and Practical Action Bangladesh (2010) discussed that in
Bangladesh, access to hygienic water and sanitation facilities is vital for
helping communities cope with disasters. Providing elevated tube-wells and
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 6

flood-proof latrines has ensured year-round safe water and hygienic sanitation
in the flood-prone districts of Bogra, Gaibandha and Sirajganj. Where
impounding reservoirs exist, as in Khulna, Bangladesh, increasing the size of
the impounding reservoir or relocating the water intake point further upstream
was a measure to boost the resilience of the water supply system (ADB,
2011).

Irregular consideration of risks in disaster-prone countries such as

Philippines has sometimes led to the construction of infrastructure that is
insufficiently resilient to disasters. The increasing frequency of natural
disasters with large human and economic losses calls for recognizing disaster
risks (IED, 2012) and concerted action to strengthen resilience. This needs to
be implemented within an integrated disaster risk management framework
that combines climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, disaster
preparedness, post-disaster relief, early recovery, reconstruction, and disaster
risk financing goals (ADB, 2013). Investments in resilience will be far-reaching
if they are integrated into development policies, strategies, plans, and
assistance programs. Although certain recurrent disasters are foreseeable for
many countries, they are not always considered in country strategies and
lending programs. Disaster risk assessment and hazard mapping provide an
initial step to informing investment decisions. Risk reduction, in addition, must
have a central role in the sustainable development strategy of disaster-prone
countries (IEG, 2011).

In 1997, the Independent Evaluation Department of Asian

Development Bank states that in third world countries such as Philippines, it is
in the reality that investments in infrastructures are compromised by failure to
fund and carry out maintenance. Governments in developing countries tend to
borrow to rebuild but, quite often, make inadequate provision for maintenance,
which is essential for long-term sustainability. Budget constraints and a lack of
“maintenance culture” within institutions partly explain this. The Flood
Damage Restoration Project in Pakistan demonstrated that adequate
maintenance and sound asset management to reduce risks from subsequent
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 7

disasters should complement facility restoration (IED, 1996). Levels of past

maintenance, the state of repair of facilities, and vulnerability to disasters are
all linked (IED, 2007).

Finally, the former secretary of Department of Finance, Cesar V.

Purisima justified that many of the victims of the super typhoons belong to the
poorest of the poor. Preventing similar disasters entails reforms in the key
governance issues such as land use planning, housing, water management,
environmental protection and most of all, disaster resilience.

Research Paradigm

INPUTS PROCESSES OUTPUT

Site Maps Site Analysis Evaluation on the

Application of
Site Photo Building Analysis
Disaster Resistant
Documentation Evaluation Concepts in
Tables Validation Philippine Modern
Architectural
Disaster-Resilient
Buildings
Concepts

Google
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 8

Definition of Terms

climate change. Unexpected changing of weather conditions due to global

warming. One that pose the growing risks of development.

disaster- resilience. Alternative name for disaster- resistant.

disaster- resistant. Term for buildings that are resilient to disasters.

earthquake. It signifies a disaster by means of shaking the ground vertically

or horizontally.

infrastructure. Another term for a building in which can interrupt vital services
when failed.

natural disasters. Different catastrophes such floods, typhoons, and

earthquakes. Hindrances to a certain development.

per annum. Yearly or per year.

PHIVOLCS. Philippine Volcanology and Seismology.

vulnerability. The potential consequences of exposure to some hazard (loss

of life, property or service; physical damage; health impact, economic impact;
environmental impact and so on).

UAP. United Architects of the Philippines.

UNISDR. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 9

Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study will use the descriptive type of research in a developmental

approach, in which it describes, interprets, and clarifies what are in the
present. Moreover, the researcher would be able to use photo documentation
as well as studies of the existing site conditions (Marikina, Taguig, and
Makati) in order to produce accurate and precise evaluation.

Research Locale

The researcher will do the research on the sites near the vicinity of the
West Valley Fault wherein people used to visit such as Marikina (Marikina
Riverbanks Mall), Taguig (SM Aura), and Makati (Greenbelt 5).

Sources of Data

This research will use primary sources such as maps (site, zoning,
west valley fault map) produced by Marikina, Taguig, and Makati City Halls,
as well as, PHIVOLCS. Then, the collection of secondary sources that has a
connection to disaster- resistant concepts such as thesis and dissertations,
articles from journals, guidelines and books will also be done.

Procedure

First, the researcher will record all the existing conditions of the site
with the use of a camera. Afterwards, together with various sources, these
photos will be used to investigate and evaluate the current situation of the
site. The results and analysis that will come up in accordance to disaster-
Disaster-Resistant Concepts in Philippine Modern Architectural Buildings 10

resilient concepts will be the basis for the solutions.

Research Instruments

Documentation of site photos, analysis and observations on building

components are some of the instruments that will be needed in performing the
research.