Anat, Aquino, Carranceja, Del Rosario, Hernandez, Salazar

Formative Assessment 7
Urban Problems within the Site of the Evacuation Center

I. Linkages to Surroundings and Urban Structure

Figure 1: Street and Block Pattern of BASECO

The main problem with BASECO’s linkages to its surroundings stems from its urban

structure. There are only certain parts of BASECO that have a structured street layout, this

provides direct access to collector roads, thus proving aid to their main form of public

transportation, the tricycle. This is in contrast to the southern and western part of BASECO,

which is mostly composed of narrow residential streets that is not all connected to a main

collector road. This hinders the operation of tricycles within the area. Furthermore, this road

structure does not fully support a proper way-finding system that can help the residents

navigate the streets carefully and safely during times of disaster. This also affects the

effeciency of the response teams, considering that most of these streets have dead ends.

Furthermore, the street layout in Baseco poses traffic flow vulnerabilities, particularly

due to two container depots located along 2nd street, the main road for the community.

These depots generate significant truck traffic, causing congestion at their entrance and exit

points, as well as where 2nd street merges with Bonifacio Drive, the community's sole
access route. This situation risks isolating the community during emergencies, which could

impede disaster response efforts.

II. Morphology

Figure 2: Map of BASECO showing street pattern and Urban Density

The site is near the heart of BASECO which means it is purely covered by residential

buildings. The dense population of BASECO highly affects the efficiency of evacuation

during a disaster, considering that this may cause stampedes and miscommunications. This

is also affected by the limited access points and narrow pathways, which hinder mobility and

emergency responses. Furthermore, the continuous growth in population and the lack of

proper urban planning has resulted in various issues, such as the community’s vulnerability

to fire incidents, poor waste management, and lack of basic amenities such as sanitation

and drainage systems.

III. Movement Framework and Assessment

The movement framework within Baseco, Manila, presents critical insights into the

urban planning and mobility challenges that the community faces. This analysis is

segmented into macro, micro, and infrastructure levels to offer a comprehensive

understanding of the issues and potential areas for intervention.

 A. Macro-Analysis

Figure 3 Macro-Analysis of BASECO

● Single Entry and Exit - Baseco's reliance on a single entry and exit passageway significantly

impacts its accessibility. This bottleneck is exacerbated by the high volume of trucks

navigating through 2nd street, creating a chokepoint at the community's entrance. Such a

situation poses a critical risk, especially in emergencies, potentially isolating the community

when swift evacuation or emergency response is needed.

● Impact on Public Transport - The limited entry and exit points restrict the flow and efficiency

of major Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) such as jeepneys and buses. This limitation not only

affects the daily commute of residents but also hampers the delivery of goods and services,

thereby affecting the overall economic activity within the area.

 B. Micro Analysis

Figure 4 Micro-Analysis of BASECO

● Road Access and Connectivity - The community's infrastructure comprises four major

roads that are pivotal for accessing essential services including transportation, healthcare,

and education. However, the internal residential streets are narrow, accommodating only

tricycles, and exhibit poor connectivity to the collector roads. This disjointed infrastructure

prevents the establishment of an efficient mass transportation route that could serve the entire

community effectively.

● Lack of Structured Street Layout in Southwestern Baseco - The absence of a structured

street layout, particularly in the southwestern part of Baseco, further complicates mobility

within the community. This disorganization hinders the establishment of tricycle terminals and,

by extension, affects the local transit system's capacity to serve residents efficiently.
● Infrastructure-Analysis

Figure 5. Infrastructure-Analysis of BASECO

● Spatial Distribution of Services and Facilities - A notable concentration

of major business districts and institutional facilities within areas of Baseco

that have a "proper" street layout reveals a disparity in access to services

and supplies. Such an uneven distribution exacerbates socio-economic

inequalities, as parts of the community with less structured layouts face

challenges in accessing essential services and opportunities.

 Movement Assessment

Table 1: Movement Assessment for BASECO

Based on the tabulation made for the movement assessment of BASECO, it was seen

that the community faces numerous environmental, infrastructural, and management challenges,

and it proposes a range of solutions aimed at improving living conditions, safety, and sustainability

in the community.

Environment

● Visual Amenity - Rated Poor, with observations stating that the overlooking view

of the bay and river has been obstructed due to overcrowding. The solution

proposed is the provision of a park and a multi-colored activity pathway.

● Air Quality - Rated Fair, likely due to a lower presence of vehicles affecting air

pollution. To improve, the suggestion is to incorporate natural vegetation in the

park.

● Noise Pollution - Rated Poor, resulting from the presence of trucks and cargo

ships. Suggested solutions are natural noise barriers.

● Flood Hazard - Rated Poor, as the area is highly susceptible to flooding. Solutions

include bioswale, underground cisterns, and permeable paving.

 ● Existing Flora - Rated Poor, with little to no vegetation in the area. To address

this, natural vegetation should be incorporated in the park.

Infrastructure

 Quality of Pavement - Rated Poor, indicating most interior streets are unpaved.

The recommendation is to provide permeable paving.

 Quality of Transportation - Rated Poor, with limited options for public

transportation. Solutions include creating transport terminals and a second

entryway that connects BASECO to the mainland.

● Quality of Roads - Rated Poor, with weathered cement roads. Proposed solutions

involve road improvement projects.

● Support for Pedestrian Safety - Rated Poor, due to a lack of crossings,

streetlights, and sidewalks. Enhancing pedestrian safety facilities is

recommended.

● Access to Services - Rated Poor, as there is only one access road to BASECO.

The solution is to provide another entryway within BASECO.

● Community Socialization - Rated Poor, due to a lack of space for community

engagement. Solutions include establishing a community center that encourages

economic and social growth.

Management

● Traffic Congestion - Rated Fair, with congestion on NYC Village Road and 2nd

Street due to street vendors, parked vehicles, and cargo trucks. Solutions involve

stricter road regulations and dedicated spaces for local economy support.

● Road Management - Rated Poor, due to a lack of safety signs and traffic lights,

with a solution being the provision of these safety measures.

● Flood Mitigation - Rated Poor, with a poor flood mitigation system in place.

Suggested interventions include bioswale, underground cisterns, permeable

paving, and a proper evacuation center.

● Trash Collection - Rated Poor, attributed to a lack of proper waste management

facilities. The incorporation of a proper Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in the

community center is suggested.