Slide 1 – Introduction

Good afternoon, everyone, for today I am going to present and defend my proposed baby thesis entitled, “ MEMOIR: The
History of the Unforeseen Tragedies, A Proposed Disaster and Preparedness Experiential Museum.”

Slide 2 – Overview

For an overview for what I will be discussing later, we have the Background of the Project, Statement of the Problem, Design
Goals and Objectives, Site Selection, Conceptual Board, Site Development Plan, Architectural Plans, Blow-up Plans and Design
Features, and the Perspectives

Slide 3 – Background of the Project

We all know that our country, the Philippines, is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire and is one with the highest risk of natural
disasters.

According to Shelby Parks (May 2021), annually, Philippines experiences 20 typhoons on an average between the months
of June and November.

The figure shows the monthly average tropical cyclone frequency in our country from 1948 to 2021 as reported by PAG-ASA.

Additionally, studies showed that the Philippines ranked first on the list of global disaster risk hotspots based on the World
Risk Index report of 2022. Our country experiences numerous natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes,
tsunamis, and landslides.

Slide 4 – Background of the Project

As reported by Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and Harvard Kennedy School – Harvard University, only a third of
Filipinos undertake measures to prepare for disasters.

STATISTICS

 59.9% = had not heard of and did not feel well informed about climate change.
 11.7% = had heard a lot or felt extremely well informed.
 53.1% of Filipinos claim to have undertaken some form of preparation for natural disasters.
o 7.4% = training program.
o 5.4% = evacuation drills.
o 22.8% = stored emergency food and supplies.
o 6.0% = tied ropes on their homes.
o 7.6% = prepared emergency kits.
o 6.3% = monitored typhoon warnings.

Slide 5 – Background of the Project

As mentioned by Doroteo (2015), the National Capital Region (NCR) is primarily the most affected in our country by these
natural calamities. The capital alone homes 25% of the population which comprises 17 highly urbanized cities, one of it being
the Pasig City.

One of the devasting natural disasters that the Philippines have experience, stroked Pasig City, which was Typhoon Ketsana
(Ondoy) last 2009 which left significant economic and social damage to the city and the rest of Metro Manila.

Slide 6 – Background of the Project

Despite that, Pasig City kept thriving to grow as a residential-commercial neighborhood. With that, the city was heavily
industrialized and permanently polluted by infrastructures where risks are worsened by the contribution of inappropriate
human practices.

For these reasons, strengthening the occupation practices to mitigate dangers to citizens is one of the major aspects of disaster
risk management.

Nevertheless, Pasig was also acknowledged as one of the most livable cities, known as “the green city," for its green
initiatives led by its local government.
Through this, it will promote the quality of life in a community by empowering citizens to be well-informed and active by
emphasizing relationship between place and its people.

Slide 7 – Background of the Project

As reported by Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), to establish a multilevel disaster risk management system, the
Philippine Congress passed the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Act on May 27, 2010,
change and the way for the need to “adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive,
integrated, and proactive in lessening the socio-economic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and
promote the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all levels, especially the local
community.”

Curating Tomorrow (2020) stated that both Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable
Development Goals recognize the important implications for public education, awareness, and involvement programs for
successful disaster risk reduction.

Slide 8 – Background of the Project

Over the course of their extensive history dealing with disasters, the Philippine government has strengthened its resilience and
developed effective coping methods. However, due to the lack of public awareness and knowledge on disasters and
emergencies, there are still substantial gaps in disaster management capabilities among the various areas of the Philippines
and an investment for these programs should be the top priority.

Slide 9 – Statement of the Problem

The proposed study aims to address Disaster Resilience as a crucial factor that must be integrated in the Philippines setting by
designing a Disaster and Preparedness Experiential Museum. Specifically, this study sought to answer the following problems:

1. The current absence of an experiential museum that aids in boosting the number of disaster prepared citizens.
2. The varied attitude and perceptions of government officials and the public toward disaster prevention,
mitigation, preparedness, and response.
3. The inadequacy of implementation of public awareness and knowledge on disasters, climate change, and
emergencies programs on a more permanent and continuing basis.
4. The environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the project.

Slide 10 – Project Goal

MEMOIR Experiential Museum aims to:

 Design and build a modern solution for civic resilience that utilizes architecture as a bridge to influence people's
awareness of climate change and other disasters that will assess their resilience and readiness when facd with
disaster.
 The investment in disaster preparedness facilities would save countless lives and speed up people's recovery—
ultimately preventing and reducing the impacts of disasters on communities.
 Integrating these coping mechanisms through involvement and hands-on experience will help citizens not only
acquire knowledge but also spread awareness among others on a permanent and continuing basis.
 EXPAND THE PROJECT GOAL IN TERMS OF GOVERNMENT FUNCTION
 TRAINING FACILITIES
 IMPROVE THE EVACUATION AREA


Slide 11 – Target Users

The Experiential Museum is actually open and accessible to everyone but just for specification, the target users ae as follows:

TARGET USERS
  Citizens who are not politically aware of disaster prevention but interested in leisure – tourists, families, people
interested in local history, etc.
 Citizens who live in communities that is not prone/susceptible from natural disasters.
 Vulnerable citizens – such as young children, old people, etc.
 Local government agencies
 Practitioners who are training for rescue and disaster relief as well as rehabilitation and risk reduction

Slide 12 – The Site

Among thirty (30) barangays of Pasig City, Barangay Ugong is the second largest barangay wherein the selected site is located
in it which has a lot size of 5.14 hectares.

It is beside the Marikina River and near Ortigas Center and is surrounded by residential, commercial, educational, utility,
and recreational areas. It is a highly urbanized barangay located in Pasig in the Second District within the National Capital
Region (NCR) of the Philippines.

Slide 13 – The Site

The site has vegetation of grass, shrubs, and trees.

The site is also considered to be one of the highest parts of the city. Thus, making it elevated above sea level.

Slide 14 – Site Analysis

The site is positioned in the northwest to minimize direct exposure from the sunlight while being able to introduce natural
illumination from the sun. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

Slide 15 – Site Accessibility

The site is directly accessible through Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) and is also accessible by a minor road through Joe Borris
Street.

Slide 16 – Site Proximity

The site is surrounded and accessible to existing services, utilities, commercial establishments, residential areas, government
building offices, educational institutions, public health services, amusement parks and in proximity with Ortigas center and
Philsports arena.

Since Pasig is already highly urbanized, most of its lands are best suited for human settlements, urban development, and
network of greenspaces.

To date, there are 42 Multipurpose halls, 41 health centers, and 50 Child Development Centers/Day Care Centers, for a total of
133 evacuation centers.

Slide 17 – Flood Map and Ground shaking Map

According to Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of Pasig City for 2022 – 2027 prepared by Planning and Development
Research Foundation, Inc.

 Flood Map – Barangay Ugong, Pasig City is HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOOD as it is beside one of the 3
surrounding major waterways, the Pasig-Marikina River System. Storm rainfall and high-water levels in the lake
causes flooding in the area.

 Ground shaking Map – On the other hand, Barangay Ugong is MODERATELY SUSCEPTIBLE to Ground shaking
as it is near the West Valley Fault line that passes through certain parts of the city. It is almost 500 meters near the
fault line. The West Valley Fault segment traverses from Doña Remedios Trinidad to Calamba with a length of 129.47
kilometers.
Slide 18 – Liquefaction Map and Rain-Induced Landslide Map

 Liquefaction Map – Barangay Ugong is LEAST SUSCEPTIBLE TO LIQUEFACTION. According to its CDP,
Ugong is one of the least in danger of this hazard with only 16.5% being highly susceptible.

 Rain-Induced Landslide Map – On the other hand, it is SLIGHTLY SUSCEPTIBLE to Rain-Induced Landslide
because the barangay has high elevation and rolling to steep slopes.

Slide 19 – SWOT Analysis

STRENGTH

 The site is located near the urban spot of Pasig, the Ortigas Center, which can attract a great number of visitors from
different places.
 The site is adjacent to water scenic, the Marikina River, that will serve as the viewing space for the users.
 Location is heavily populated which offers greater public access for visitors.
 The site is directly accessible through Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) and is accessible through common public
transportation modes.

WEAKNESS

 Location is beside Marikina River which may cause flooding.

 The West Valley fault Line passes through near the site which makes it slightly susceptible to earthquakes.

OPPORTUNITY

 The City Center, Recreational Park, Educational Institutions, Government Buildings, Local Libraries and Health
Centers near the project can collaborate with each other to promote awareness to the public.
 The project can incline museum visits to the public.
 The Community Park offers recreational activities for the public and landscaping development.

THREAT

 Existing local library can serve as competitors.

Slide 20 – Design Concept and Transformation

MEMOIR is derived from the Latin word “memoria,” meaning “memory” or “a description of a true past event.”

The concept aims to address the challenges with the lack of disaster preparedness that have happened before in the
Philippines.

In line with this, a common representation of recovery is the symbol of an inscribed circle which represents the three-sided
triangle as the strength, willpower, and hope whereas the circle as the community support in an individual’s recovery
journey.

It is also reflected in the Sendai Framework focuses on the adoption of measures which address the three dimensions of
disaster risk to prevent the creation of new risk, reduce existing risk and increase resilience.

Slide 21 – Design Objectives

The Design primarily revolves around the architectural use of the frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals and is implemented through the availability of various spaces and
activities within the museum that directly corresponds to disaster risk response and preparedness such as Virtual and
Augmented Reality Simulation Spaces, Educational Spaces, Multi-sensory Spaces, Gallery Spaces, and Open Spaces
which help museums give Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives REACH while Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives can help
give museums PURPOSE.

Among the 17 sustainable development goals, there were 6 targets related to disaster risk reduction and are as follows:

1 = NO POVERTY
  Building resilience for the poor and those in vulnerable situations reduce their exposure and vulnerability to disasters.

3 = GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

 Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health
risks.

4 = QUALITY EDUCATION

 Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

9 = INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

11 = SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

 Adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and
adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.

13 = CLIMATE ACTION

 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation,
impact reduction and early warning.

Slide 22 – Design Considerations and Framework

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

 Virtual Experience – Spaces and users engage in a virtual surrounding that stimulates disaster response experiences
in a way that approximates reality.
 Community – Users can both benefit and contribute to the improvement of the society through learning experience
and revenues.
 Culture – Architecture seeks to foster a “soft” cultural change towards disaster preparedness over time by
organizing preparedness-related activities that are designed as part of citizens' everyday-life events.
 Flexibility – without significant building modification reduces cost associated with the reconstruction and time.
 Circulation – Wayfinding and universal design principles can accommodate a multigenerational group with wide-
range abilities without increasing traffic and overcrowding.
 Lighting – Lighting strategies cut electric costs and help shape the museum’s sense of place.
 Sustainability – Incorporate advance and smart features and a new approach in construction to reduce its
negative impacts to the environment.

DESIGN FRAMEWORK

It reflects the ideal museum experience as a life-learning, adaptive, and all-encompassing where the experience happens
between people (audience), place (museum) and senses (simulation space). It is experiential in the fullest sense because of
its multi-dimensional quality.

The experiential museum not only fulfill its purpose of educating the public, but it also serves a new function as an interactive
and modern facility for disaster risk preparedness on a permanent and continuing basis. It contributes to the well-being of the
community because it influences people to actively participate in community life and live consciously.

Slide 23 – Space Programming and Schematics and 5 Levels of Security Zoning

SPACE PROGRAMMING AND SCHEMATICS

The Experiential Museum will be divided into Lecture Spaces, Simulation Spaces, Admin Spaces, Library, and Viewing
Area.
5 LEVELS OF SECURITY ZONING

The main objective of the 5 levels of security zoning is to categorize private and public areas for safety access and prevent
interferences between spaces that would prevent traffic and allow smooth user circulation within the museum.

ZONE 1 (Highest security): Collections storage

ZONE 2 (High security): No public access with Collections

ZONE 3 (High security): Public access with collections

ZONE 4 (Secure): No public access, no collections

ZONE 5 (Secure): Public access, no collections

Slide 24 – Site Development Plan

P - Public Parking
BP - Bus Parking
AP - Admin Parking
BS - Bus Stop

1 - Community Park
2 - Main Building (Museum Lobby and Lecture Hall)
3 - Gallery Spaces
4 - Multi-Sensory Spaces
5 - Evacuation Area
6 - Simulation Spaces 1 (Earthquake and Landslide)
7 - Library
8 - Outdoor Learning Gazebos
9 - Simulation Spaces 2 (Volcanic and Flashflood)
10 - Administration Building
11 - Amphitheater
12 - Viewing Area

Slide 25 – Main Building Floor Plans

 The Main Building is located at the front of the site to entertain visitors.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

The GFL mainly consists of the Museum Lobby which contains the Reception, Waiting area, Gift/souvenir shop, Café, Cafeteria,
Restaurants, Courtyards, Bookstore, Utilities.

 The Lobby has special feature of courtyard across the second floor to increase natural ventilation and daylight
inside.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

The 2ND FL mainly consists of the Lecture Halls for disaster risk preparedness and response through lecture and film series
where users will acquire knowledge on the basic knowledge and what to do when faced with disasters.
The lecture halls have 4 types pertaining to History of Natural Disasters in the Philippines; Disaster Risk Management; Disaster
Risk Response and Recovery; and Disaster Risk Mitigation & Preparedness which can be seen on one of the interior perspectives
of the lecture hall.

 Soundproofing the lecture halls provides not only great sound and audibility inside, but also to guarantee comfort and
quiet for those who are outside the hall.
 Both floors have four (4) Emergency Exits and two (2) Passenger Elevators connected to one another.
 The flow of users is also shown in the floor plan to track the traffic inside the museum lobby and lecture hall.

Slide 26 – Library Floor Plan

 The Library is located at the right side of the site.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

 The GFL mainly consists of the common library spaces which includes the Reading Spaces, Quiet Reading Room,
Periodicals, Archival, Browsing Bookstore, Reference Area, Librarian’s Offices and Workroom, Book Maintenance
Room

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

 The 2ND FL mainly consists of the modern library spaces which includes the Digital Library and Audio and Video
Room. It also has spaces for Café Booth and Sitting Tables for relaxation.
 Both floors have two (2) Emergency Exits and two (2) Passenger Elevators connected to one another.
 The flow of users is also shown in the floor plan to track the traffic inside.

Slide 27 – Admin Floor Plan

 The Admin is located at the left side of the site to separate the private works from the public spaces.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

 The GFL mainly consists of the Loading/Unloading Spaces, Security, Curatorial & Laboratory Spaces,
Maintenance & Utilities and different Storages for the Equipment’ and Collections.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

 The 2ND FL mainly consists of the Administrative Offices.

 Both floors have two (2) Emergency Exits, two (2) Passenger Elevators, and two (2) Service Elevators connected
to one another.

The flow of users is also shown in the floor plan to track the traffic inside.

Slide 28 – Gallery and Multi-sensory

 The Gallery Spaces is located at the right side of the site as the start of the experiential experience.
 while the Multi-sensory Spaces is located at the left side of the site as the end of the experiential experience.

GALLERY FLOOR PLAN

  The Gallery Spaces consists mainly of the common Exhibit and Gallery Collections for historical exhibitions to
expose our past experiences through visual arts where the public will be informed and aware of the consequences
when disaster preparedness and response lacks.
 The interior perspectives of the Gallery reflects the Tropical Typhon Yolanda and its tragic effect in Tacloban
City last November 2013.
 The gallery also showcases the different collections for Disaster Preparedness Equipment, as well as the
documentaries and information regarding Disaster Risk Mitigation.

MULTI-SENSORY FLOOR PLAN

 The Multi-sensory Area is one of the Virtual Experience Feature of the museum which will help users regulate
their brain's negative reactions to external stimuli by developing coping skills for these experiences.
 The interior perspectives of the multi-sensory reflects the immersive experience of Warning Systems, Emergency,
Evacuation, Search & Rescue, and Relief Response.

Slide 29 – Landslide and Earthquake

 The Landslide and Earthquake Simulation Areas are both located at the right side of the site as the introductory
virtual experience inside the museum.
 The simulation spaces are separated by sitting area where users can rest.

LANDSLIDE FLOOR PLAN

 The Landslide Simulation Room interior perspective reflects the Super Typhoon Juan which was the strongest
tropical cyclone of 2010 that hit Central Leyte Province that has caused the massive landslide.
 It incorporated on-screen visuals with synchronized motion seats and environmental effects to enhance the
action on screen.

EARTHQUAKE FLOOR PLAN

 It features an earthquake simulator machine which contains motors underneath the floorboards that duplicate both
horizontal and vertical earthquake motions for users to experience.

Slide 30 – Viewing Area

 The Viewing area is located at the middle and in between the simulation spaces of the site where users can view
the Pasig-Marikina River as well as a place for resting and sitting.

Slide 31 – Flashflood and Volcanic Eruptions

 The Flashflood and Volcanic Eruptions Simulation Areas are both located at the left side of the site as the ending of
the virtual experience inside the museum.
 The simulation spaces are also separated by sitting area where users can rest.

FLASHFLOOD FLOOR PLAN

 The Flashflood Simulation Gallery showcases the different mitigation measures for La Niña before, during, and
after the disaster.
  It features Flashflood Simulation Bridge which depicts real-life rising of water using motion sensors without
harming the users.
 It will serve as Flash Flood Warning System categorized into four (4) kinds of warning namely: Flood Outlook,
Flood Advisory, Flood Warning and Critical Flood Warning.

VOLCANIC FLOOR PLAN

 The Volcanic Simulation Gallery exhibits the recent eruption of Taal Volcano last 2020 in Tagaytay City caused by
phreatomagmatic eruptions are caused by the interaction of magma and water.
 It features Volcanic Simulation Area at the center which depicts real-life volcanic magma with the use of special
lighting systems and eruptions using chemical reactions.

Slide 32 – Smart Technology and Design Features

SMART TECHNOLOGY FEATURES

 Immersive Experience
Featured on Multi-sensory spaces of the museum which involves the user's multiple sensory modalities during and or
after a disaster experience including visual, sound, and motion.
 Virtual Reality Gear
Equipment/Gadget featured in Gallery Spaces that provides real life experiences of disasters for the users.
 Simulator Rooms
The earthquake simulator provides simultaneous and self-regulating programmable motion horizontal and vertical
direction and reproduces magnitude programmable earthquake for users to experience real life earthquake where magnitudes
vary.
 4DX
Featured in Landscape Simulation Room which delivers an immersive multi-sensory experience with the use of
synchronized motion seats and environmental effects to enhance the action on screen.
 Motion Sensors
Featured in Flashflood Simulation Bridge designed to detect and measure movement which depicts real-life rising of
water without harming the users.
 Light Sensors
Light sensors are a type of photodetector that detect light. Different types of light sensors can be used to measure
illuminance, respond to changes in the amount of light received, or convert light to electricity.

DESIGN FEATURES

 Amphitheater
An open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and cultural activities.
 Viewing Area
A space for resting, relaxing, and enjoying the scenery for visitors and/or users. It is an important design feature for eye
health and well-being.
 Outdoor Gazebos
Provides shade, shelter from rain and a place to rest, and learning area while acting as an ornamental feature.
 Community Park
Located within the site to accommodate a wide variety range of recreational activities and amenities where users can
actively engage with the community.
 Linking Bridges
Corridor Bridges which work together to connect people and deliver services between buildings.
 Disaster Risk Globe
An iconic globe which represents the experiential learning around and/or within the museum.
Slide 33 – Virtual Reality Application and Simulation Education

The museum experience becomes more immersive and participatory. It brings new ways of transmitting the cultural heritage of
museums to society and attracts visitors who are not used to museums and would not traditionally visit them.

 With the aid of the different application of Smart Technologies, it helps stimulates and apply disaster response
experiences to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. It is all applied to the Simulation Spaces as
discussed before.

FACTS

 Additionally, those with higher levels of education had greater odds of engaging in training and planning
activities.
 They also found that non-formal education, like disaster trainings and drills, are positively linked with increased
resilience (Hoffmann and Muttarak, 2017).
 The Philippines has gradually shifted its approach from reactive to proactive risk management with a significant
focus on preparedness and resilience building. Through walkthroughs, drills, and other practical actions, the
organization can better prepare its workforce to recognize potential hazards and act appropriately to minimize damage.
 Preparedness activities in combination with local knowledge, can play a life-saving role.
 Emergency drills and disaster scenario exercises that involve both practitioners and citizens may thus improve not
only perceived self-efficacy through skills training, but also improve knowledge of, and compliance with,
preparedness response procedures through shared identity and mutual trust.

PROACTIVE RISK MANAGEMENT

 To build or strengthen community cohesion, researchers have also pointed at the usefulness of drawings and
storytelling to access memories which were otherwise suppressed, allowing not only the narration to reveal
intangible strengths, but also the narrator's willingness to collaborate.
 The shaping of collective memory and, thus, shared identity amongst a local community, is likely to contribute to
its disaster resilience and may be encouraged by organizing, e.g., community workshops which specifically promote
such activities.
 However, generating shared identity may not only serve to strengthen community cohesion to encourage disaster
preparedness. Understanding disasters also as inter-group encounters, identification processes play a similarly
important role in the relationships between emergency responders and citizens, resulting in increased public
cooperation and compliance.
 Here, emergency drills and disaster scenario exercises that involve both practitioners and citizens may thus
improve not only perceived self-efficacy through skills training, but also improve knowledge of, and compliance
with, preparedness response procedures through shared identity and mutual trust.

Slide 34 – Exposed Concrete Cement RCC Finish / Copper Roofing System / Aurora Sustainable Windows

COPPER ROOFING SYSTEM

 Copper offers a character and durability that no other metal roof can match.
 It is very lightweight material which makes it quick and easy to both transport and install.
 When properly designed and installed, a copper roof provides an economical, long-term roofing solution.
 Additionally, curved roofs are eco-friendly because they have been found to contribute to the reduction of harmful
CO2 emissions.

EXPOSED CONCRETE CEMENT RCC FINISH

 Often described as being “slip resistant,”

 It has excellent adhesion that is incredibly tough and long-lasting.
  Exposed concrete is also environmentally friendly from range of recycled materials that produces a high-end and
contemporary creative cement wall surface.

SUSTAINABLE WINDOWS

 Aurora Renewable Energy & UV Sequestration (AuREUS) system, an innovation for walls and windows using
technology synthesized from upcycled crop waste to absorb stray UV light from sunlight to convert it to solar
electricity.
 It also offers better access to solar energy.
 Supports the local agriculture industry hit by calamities by upcycling crops that would otherwise be considered
wastes and thus, reducing farmer loss.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT FLOODING

1. Elevate Above the Flood Level. To start, architects should build the structure above the flood level to minimize damage if a
flood does occur. One common way of elevating is by building the structure on columns or stilts. In other cases, the solid
foundation can simply be raised higher.
2. Build with Flood Resistant Material. Flood resistant materials are those which can last in contact with flood waters for at
least 72 hours without significant damage. To prevent these damages, flood resistant materials must be durable and resistant
to excessive humidity. Examples include concrete, glazed brick, closed-cell and foam insulation, steel hardware, pressure-
treated and marine-grade plywood, ceramic tile, water-resistant glue, polyester epoxy paint, and more.
3. Raise or Floodproof HVAC Equipment and Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical System Components . Locating
service equipment above the flood protection level is generally the best way to protect it. Such equipment includes heating,
ventilating, air conditioning, plumbing appliances, plumbing fixtures, duct systems, and electrical equipment including
service panels, meters, switches, and outlets. It is best that these components are raised above the flood level, but, if
necessary, they may be designed to prevent damage from flooding, whether through waterproof enclosures, barriers,
protective coatings, or other techniques to protect vulnerable components.
4. 'Effective' dredging. Sueno agreed that dredging is the most effective solution to perennial flooding in Marikina City.
The Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has officially started its operations to dredge an
estimated 50,000 cubic meters of soil, sand, and silt along Marikina River to increase its capacity in handling rainwater
and prevent overflow. Preserving wildlife and ecosystems: Dredging helps ecosystems by removing trash, sludge, dead
vegetation, and other debris. It keeps the water clean, preserves the local wildlife's ecosystems and remediates
eutrophication — the excess of nutrients in the water due to runoff.
HOW EARTHQUAKE-PROOF BUILDINGS ARE DESIGNED

1. Create a Flexible Foundation. One way to resist ground forces is to “lift” the building’s foundation above the earth through a
method called base isolation. Base isolation involves constructing a building on top of flexible pads made of steel,
rubber, and lead. When the base moves during an earthquake, the isolators vibrate while the structure itself remains steady.
This effectively helps to absorb seismic waves and prevent them from traveling through the building.

2. Earthquake-Resistant Materials
a. Steel and Wood. For a material to resist stress and vibration, it must have high ductility, which is the ability to
undergo large deformations and tension. Modern buildings are often constructed with structural steel, a component
that comes in a variety of shapes and allows buildings to bend without breaking. Wood is also a surprising ductile
material due to its high strength relative to its lightweight structure.
b. Innovative Materials. Innovations like shape memory alloys could both endure heavy strain and revert to their
original shape. Additionally, fiber-reinforced plastic wrap — made by a variety of polymers — can be wrapped
around columns and provide up to 38% added strength and ductility. The sticky yet rigid fibers of mussels and the
strength-to-size ratio of spider silk have promising capabilities in creating structures. Bamboo and 3D printed
materials can also function as lightweight, interlocking structures with limitless forms that can potentially provide
even greater resistance for buildings.