ARCH 141

Bongalon, Christianne Clarisse B.

BS - Architecture

aProf. Richlle Rhea Baria

Instructor

CHOSEN SITE
Lupang Arenda in Sitio Tapayan, Barangay Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal Province

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Lupang Arenda was allocated as socialized housing by Former President Fidel Ramos through Proclamation 704 which would then be contested by Executive Order 854 by Former
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as the large lot was deemed unfeasible for occupation due to physical hazards from natural calamities in the area following Typhoon Ondoy in
2009. Most noted was the intense flooding it caused due to heavy rains during which Lupang Arenda was reported to be submerged for days, displacing residents while waiting for
the 2.5 billion cubic meters of excess water in Laguna Lake and Pasig River to recede (ABS-CBN News, 2009). To this day, the threat of relocation persists as the community
remains vulnerable to disaster. With an increasing population and building density, it shows that there is no specific agency or establishment immediately available that specifically
addresses this significant concern.

Significance of the Study

The study aims to employ architectural and structural answers in preparation, mitigation, and protection of the Lupang Arenda residents from the prevailing physical hazards and
natural disasters by designing and providing livable spaces that can withstand their effects. In particular, it seeks to use architecture as a method of solution to aid in managing
Lupang Arenda’s long standing flooding problem. Furthermore, in sustaining an establishment addressing the mentioned, the study is looking to provide communal spaces that
invite the participation of the locality as well as outside stakeholders to partake in the cause of fostering awareness and providing resources for disaster preparedness, mitigation,
and risk reduction of Lupang Arenda.

Resilience Issues to be addressed

Primary concern within the site is physical disaster resilience as geomorphological assessments of the area found it at risk of the following: Most pressingly, flooding (heavy
rains, Laguna high tides), soil subsidence, and ground shaking due to proximity to the Valley Fault System. The overarching priority is urban resilience. There is an increasing
density in the number of settlers and compaction of their built living spaces within and surrounding the site without proper planning. Thus, urban resilience, in this context, will
refer to architecture that sets as a precedence of socio-economic and environmental organization and adaptive capacity of the spaces in Lupang Arenda—ensuring its
preparation and self-repair from disruptive conditions.

THE DESIGN PROBLEM

At the risk of calamities, and consequently, displacement and/or eviction, how can architecture reduce the community’s vulnerability to disaster,
especially flooding, as well as sustain this cause through socio-economic design?

PROPOSED ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION

The proposed solution enlists three typologies but will summarily be a DRRR hub with a flood control ecopark.

The threefold solution involves the combination of the following typologies: (1) Disaster Awareness, Risk Reduction, and Response (DRRR) hub which shall host spaces that
provide the residents spaces and resources to help them prepare and respond to disaster. Specifically, it will have a self-sustaining evacuation space, equipment storage, charging
stations, a multi-purpose hall, a display space, DRR offices, and observation pod; (2) An ecopark that absorbs flooding with provided water storage and creates usable,
drinkable water through a filtration system as well as provide green spaces to break the building density of the site and add needed foliage—but even more so, attract the
community and visitors to explore the DRRR hub and ultimately, motivate them to partake in DRRR. (3) A commercial space that could invite local and outside commercial
business, taking advantage of the site’s proximity to a frequented main road (the C6 extension).

In line with this, the following shall primarily comprise the criteria for selecting the ideal location of the development:
● With medium to high flood risk, but sufficient soil strength (deep soil mixing may be proposed solution to subsidence risks)
● Accessible and visible to the community
● Proximity to C6 extension (to invite tourists, visitors, customers in the commercial space)

BENEFICIARIES PROPOSED SPACES FUNCTION

Lupang Arenda residents THE DRRR Hub

The design’s priority is to
impart disaster preparedness
and response to the
community.
Local business stakeholders
Provision of livelihood through
commercial spaces for local
businesses (type of business
to be included will be
determined after further user
analysis).
Tourist/s and tourism
Aims to beautify the
community and open up
opportunities for more visitors
and commercial business
customers. Worth noting in
this, is Lupang Arenda’s
proximity to a main road.
● Multipurpose hall
● Equipment storage
● Charging stations
○ Solar panels for power source Promotes disaster awareness and provides the community
● Evacuation space with disaster preparation and response equipment.
○ Toilet & bath (during emergencies: water
provided for by the ecoparks’ water storage)
● Observation areas
● DRRR offices
● Well-located entry and exit way for rescue and response
vehicles
The Flood Control Eco-Park
● Sitting spaces
● Playground
Flood control and/or reduction, provision of drinkable water;
● Greenery (*trees and plants effective for
Promotes community leisure, greenery, and tourism
● Mini-commercial spaces for local businesses
● Water tanks
● Filtration equipment
The Commercial Hub
● Local and outside businesses Promotes leisure and tourism,
● Eating spaces Provides profit to aid in sustaining the DRRR causes of the
● Viewing spaces community.
(depending on location of the Laguna de Bay)
References:

ABS-CBN News. (2009a, October 17). Portions of Pasig, Rizal still flooded. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/10/17/09/portions-pasig-rizal-still-flooded
ABS-CBN News. (2009b, November 3). 'Ondoy+poor urban planning = floods' ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/tv-current-affairs/11/03/09/ondoypoor-urban-planning-floods
Cinco, M. (2018, August 14). Laguna de Bay now full, says LLDA | Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1020881/laguna-de-bay-now-full-says-llda
Community Partners – TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. (n.d.). https://tao-pilipinas.org/networks/community-partners/

Note: The sketches below are rough ideas.