PLANNING AR 41093

ELEMENTS OF A CITY
STA. ELENA POB., CITY OF MARIKINA

Keisha Camille Barnuevo

Section: AR 4-1A-1 Professor: Ar. Janice Ma. Irene Echiverri

 HISTORY OF STA. ELENA,
CITY OF MARIKINA
Sta. Elena Pob, Marikina City has a significant historical background, tracing its
origins to 1687 when Jesuit missionaries aspired to a site to build a new church.
According to local legend, the name "Santa Elena" was edified by a large cross that
floated down the Marikina River, the townspeople attempted to retrieve it but were
unsuccessful. leading to the establishment of a chapel in its honor. The area
became a sacred center with the construction of the Our Lady of the Abandoned
Parish in 1791, which remains a key landmark today.

The establishment of the chapel preserved the beginning of Santa Elena as a religious
center in the Marikina Valley. Throughout its history, Santa Elena has undergone various
challenges, including natural disasters like earthquakes and fires, as well as the impact
of World War II, notably the bombing during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.

Today, Santa Elena is recognized not only for its historical roots but also for its
vibrant community and cultural heritage, making it an integral part of Marikina City's
identity.
ELEMENTS OF A CITY

PATH DISTRICT

EDGE NODE

LANDMARK
 Refer to the circulation systems within a city, including streets,
sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transportation systems, which connect
different parts of the city and facilitate movement.
Archi_com. (2022, August 19). THE ELEMENTS OF A CITY ⋆ Archi-Monarch. Archi-Monarch.
https://archi-monarch.com/the-elements-of-a-city/

The path highway leading to Santa Elena in Marikina

City is primarily accessed via major roads that
connect the barangay to surrounding areas.
The path highway leading to Santa Elena in Marikina
City is primarily accessed via major roads that
connect the barangay to surrounding areas.

Sta. Elena, City of Marikina from Google Maps

A. Bonifacio Avenue:
This is one of the primary thoroughfares that directs into Santa Elena. It runs across
the Marikina River and provides access to various parts of the city.

B. J.P. Rizal Avenue:

A critical road that links Santa Elena to other barangays, including San Roque. It
serves as a transition point for vehicles moving towards the town proper of Cainta.

C. Sumulong Highway:
The highway connecting Santa Elena is vital for accommodating light vehicles. It has
played a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion in the region, leading to improved
connectivity and more efficient travel to neighboring areas.

D. Sta. Elena Street:

Within the barangay, this street serves as a primary access point, leading to various
local attractions such as the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish and the Marikina Shoe
Museum.

The roads in Santa Elena Poblacion are crucial for facilitating not only local traffic
but also for offering access to the numerous cultural and historical attractions in the
area, serving both residents and visitors alike.
 DISTRICT

Residential Focus in Commercial Density

Other Barangays:

In contrast to Sta. Elena, other Sta. Elena has a relatively high

barangays like Concepcion Uno density of commercial
and Nangka have a higher establishments due to its role as
proportion of residential land the city center. Other barangays Long Formal
may have commercial zones, but
use. These areas are primarily Report Report
focused on housing and have they often do not match the
less commercial activity concentration and variety found
compared to Sta. Elena. For in Sta. Elena. For example, while
instance, barangays such as areas like Fortune and Industrial
Tañong and Santo Niño also Valley have commercial
have significant residential activities, they are more
populations, which influences industrially focused and less
their commercial dynamics. centered on retail and service-
sANTA ELENA, CITY OF MARIKINA FROM TOPOEXPORT
oriented businesses.
 DISTRICT
The commercial land use in Sta. Elena is defined by its historical importance,
mixed-use development, and excellent accessibility, establishing it as the central
business district in Marikina City. in comparison, Other barangays focus on
residential land use with varying degrees of commercial activity that do not rival
the density and diversity found in Sta. Elena.

Commercial & Industrial Road Mixed-Use

In Sta. Elena, Marikina City, the land
Parks & Open Spaces, Institutional, Cemeteries & others use density is characterized by a mix
of residential, commercial, and
Residential
institutional uses. Based on the
Commercial & Industrial
available data, the land use
19
distribution in Sta. Elena is as
follows:
Residential 38%
Residential
38 Commercial
and Industrial 19%
Roads 17%
Road
17
Mixed-use
8%
Parks and
Open Spaces,
Institutional,
Cemeteries, 18%.
sANTA ELENA, CITY OF MARIKINA FROM TOPOEXPORT Parks & Open Spaces, Institutional, Cemeteries & others and Others
18
 EDGES
Edges are the boundaries between two phases, linear breaks in continuity. For
instance shores, railroad cuts, edges of development and walls
View. (2019, October 27). The City Image and Its Elements by Kevin Lynch. All about My Architectural Education; All About My Architectural Education.
https://semanurcan.wordpress.com/2019/10/27/the-city-image-and-its-elements-by-kevin-lynch/#:~:text=Edges%20are%20the%20boundaries%20between

Marikina River Kapitan Moy

Park Balante Creek Ancestral Home
EDGES

MARIKINA RIVER
PARK

Marikina River Park is at

the West Edge part of Sta.

Elena, City of Marikina. It

is one of the well-known

places in the entire

Marikina, and half of it

was part of the

Poblacion.
 BALANTE
EDGES

CREEK

Balante Creek is at the edge of the Sta. Elena Marikina City,

its exact location is between Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue
and Sumulong Highway. Sumulong Highway is not a part of
Santa Elena Poblacion.
EDGES

KAPITAN MOY
ANCESTRAL
HOME
Kapitan Moy Ancestral Home is a historical residence of one of
Marikina's prominent families, which now serves as a museum.

The ancestral home was located in Marikina City, half of the area
where the structure was built is part of Sta. Elena Poblacion, the
facade of the ancestral house is facing J.P Rizal Street, and it somehow
faces the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned.
 NODES

Marikina Freedom Park Marikina City Hall

Sta. Elena Pob. Sta. Elena Pob.

The Marikina Freedom Park is located in front of the Marikina City Hall. At Marikina City Hall can be considered as the primary nodal point
the facade of the park is a monument to pay homage to the defenders of of the Santa Elena, Marikina City. It is located at the very center
Bataan and Corregidor. The Marikina Freedom Park is also a famous spot of the Poblacion, also its opposite establishment is a school
for drum and bugle rehearsals during weekends. The Marikina Freedom which is the Marikina Polytechnic College. Furthermore, it is
Park also performs as an intersecting point for the paths in the Sta. Elena, transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly areas.
Marikina City.
 NODES

Marikina Sports Complex Marikina Public Market

Sta. Elena Pob. Sta. Elena Pob.

The Marikina Sports Center, also known as Marikina Sports Park and formerly Marikina Public Market is considered as a nodal point of Sta. Elena Marikina City,
known as Rodriguez Sports Center, is a sports complex located in Marikina, at it is located at the very center, both minor and majors roads surround it so it
the corner of Shoe Avenue and Sumulong Highway in Metro Manila, Philippines. is very accessible to consumers who use a vehicle and only those who walk.
Half of the establishment were part of Sta. Elena, so it can be distinguish as an The entrance of the public market is facing E. Dela Paz Street and W. Paz Street,
edge of the area. HOWEVER, IT connect points in THE AREA that have a mix of while the rear part of the market is facing the Kapt. Venciong Street and M.
residential, commercial and institutional buildings, SO IT CAN SERVE AS A NODE Cruz Street.
TOO.
LANDMARKS
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of our Lady of the
Abandoned
Commonly known as the Church of Marikina, is a Roman
Catholic church in Marikina, the Philippines. It can be
regarded as both a node and a landmark because it is an
intersecting point between various streets and roads,
however, this church can also serve as a landmark. Since it is
anointed as the Church of Marikina, it is a very prominent
establishment.

Marikina Polytechnic College

Marikina Polytechnic College is a state college located in #2
Mayor Chanyungco Street, Sta. Elena, Marikina City, Philippines
1800. It is considered as a landmark, because it is well-known
for meeting place, and because it is a famous school located
at Sta. Elena, City of Marikina.

Ford Marikina
Ford Marikina is a landmark for people in Sta. Elena, despite having several
commercial establishments in the area, Ford Marikina building can serve as a guide
for people, tourists or even locals. The Ford Marikina building is adjacent to the
famous Jollibee fast food restaurant, Red Ribbon and Starbucks. That's another
reason why the said establishment can be considered as a landmark in that specific
area.
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
SANTA ELENA POB., CITY OF
MARIKINA

AREA ROADS INSTITUTIONS LAND USE COMPARISON OPEN SPACES

Sta. Elena is home It is bounded by Rizal Sta. Elena is the Despite the dominance of Compared to other Sta. Elena features
to the traditional Avenue, Bonifacio location of several key commercial and barangays in Marikina some open spaces and
institutions, including institutional uses, Sta. City: Sta. Elena is the
commercial and Avenue, Shoe Avenue, parks, such as the
the Marikina City Hall, Elena also has
business center of and Paz Street, smallest barangay, Marikina River Park,
Marikina Sports residential areas,
Marikina City, exhibiting a mix of Complex, Sta. Elena
covering only 44 which provides
although they are
located in the old commercial, High School, Marikina hectares. recreational
moderately less dense
Poblacion area. residential, and Elementary School, compared to further opportunities for
institutional land and Marikina Institute residents and visitors.
barangays in Marikina
of Science and
uses. City.
Technology.
Keisha Camille S. Barnuevo

SECTION: AR 4-1A-1

SUBJECT: AR 4193 - PLANNING

PROFESSOR: ARCH. JANICE ECHIVERRI

DATE: AUGUST 17, 2024