CURRENT ISSUE IN THE WORLD OF

URBAN AND
REGIONAL PLANNING

RON ISAIAH M. BATAC

BSARCH 4-B
INSTRUCTORS: AR. ROLAND P. ADDUN
 Community? We know community A community is a group of people who share
common characteristics, interests, values, or a geographic location. Communities can be
formed based on location (such as a neighborhood, town, or city), interests (such as online
gaming communities or book clubs), or culture and identity (such as ethnic or religious groups).
Communities play a vital role in providing social support, fostering a sense of belonging, and
promoting cooperation among members. They help individuals connect, share resources, and
work together to solve common problems. Whether physical or virtual, strong communities
contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and social well-being. In this state we
know that, community is a bog factor to our urban planning that’s why The Importance of
Communities and Planning Communities and planning play a crucial role in shaping societies
and improving the quality of life for individuals.

A well-planned community fosters social cohesion, economic growth, environmental

sustainability, and overall well-being. Urban and rural areas alike benefit from strategic
planning, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that future generations inherit a
livable and thriving environment. Communities provide individuals with a sense of belonging,
shared identity, and support networks. A well-planned community includes parks, community
centers, and public squares, which encourage interaction and social engagement. Strong social
ties contribute to mental well-being, reduce crime rates, and promote inclusivity. Effective
community planning promotes economic growth by providing business opportunities, job
creation, and infrastructure development. Zoning laws, transportation networks, and
commercial hubs are essential elements of urban planning that enhance productivity and
economic stability. Proper planning ensures that natural resources are managed efficiently and
that environmental concerns are addressed. Sustainable communities prioritize green spaces,
renewable energy, efficient waste management, and eco-friendly infrastructure. Well-planned
communities ensure that essential services such as healthcare, education, transportation, and
emergency response systems are accessible to all residents. Planning plays a vital role in
community resilience by preparing for natural disasters, economic downturns, and other crises

While good planning can improve the quality of life, lack of proper governance,
inequality, and conflicting interests often create challenges. Government Policies and
Bureaucracy Urban and regional planning is often affected by political agendas, government
regulations, and bureaucratic red tape. Politicians may prioritize short-term projects to gain
voter support rather than investing in long-term sustainable planning. Funding and Budget
Constraints Community development requires significant financial investment. However,
funding is often a political issue, with governments prioritizing certain regions or projects
based on political influence rather than actual need. Zoning Laws and Land Use Conflicts
Decisions about land use such as residential, commercial, or industrial zoning often cause
disputes between governments, private developers, and local residents.

One important strategy is inclusive and participatory planning, in which local

governments use advisory boards, public forums, and surveys to involve citizens in decision-
making processes. This makes it possible to guarantee that the demands of marginalized groups
as well as those of the entire community are taken into account. Although there have been
instances where this strategy has worked, it frequently encounters obstacles like low
participation rates, political opposition, and a lack of money for significant community
involvement. Next affordable housing initiatives, where governments and organizations invest
in subsidized housing, rent control policies, and mixed-income developments to combat
homelessness and displacement. These include expanding public transportation, increasing
green spaces, and implementing stricter environmental regulations on developers. Stronger
policy reforms and zoning regulations have also been introduced to curb unchecked
development and promote equitable land use. ey are not always fully effective due to political
influence, financial constraints, and resistance from powerful stakeholders. For long-term
success.

CASE STUDY:

ISSUE: THE EFFECT OF SLUM IN OUR COMMUNITY AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

OF THE MANILA PHILIPPINES

The first current issue I would like to tackle is the issue where the people make their
home everywhere in the street that cause an effect to the growth and to development of one
city and they are called a slam. Slam people that makes an home in every part of the Philippines
maybe in commercial side like in Manila, while you entering to manila you will see the
“skwater” as known for the people who have no permanently house. I would like to tacke this
because in my opinion there are many factors that effect to our economy to development simply
when I saw that situation there are a big laugh to our development in manila like there is
transition in environment when you do a sight seeing inside the car, a transition that from good
commercial from the start example a tall building sky scraper after that in the middle there will
be a slum or a small house where is not good looking and sometimes you will see a people who
are using the public road as their toilet.

Manila presents a harsh and challenging environment, characterized by heat, dust,

congestion, and severe poverty, with traffic conditions that make daily commuting an ordeal.
Despite these difficulties, the city remains the economic and political center of the Philippines,
experiencing rapid growth and modernization. Towering skyscrapers and expansive shopping
malls serve as havens for the emerging upper class, reflecting the stark contrast between wealth
and poverty. This growing bourgeois population is increasingly visible, marking a shift in the
city’s landscape one that highlights both progress and deep socioeconomic divides.

An estimated 35 percent of the metro Manila population live in unstable, poorly

constructed shelters in slums. Eleven percent of slum residents live near unsafe areas like
railroads and garbage dumps. According to the World Bank, living conditions in slums are
worse than in the poorest rural areas. The Mega-Cities Project’s research found that
tuberculosis rates were nine times higher than in non-slum areas and that rates of diarrheal
disease were two times higher. Slum settlements in Manila are extremely vulnerable to natural
disasters. The Philippines ranks fourth in the global climate risk index and is often prone to
typhoons, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters. The instability of the often
homemade shelters provides little to no protection from these calamities. The Asian
Development Bank states that this and the fact that most slums are in dangerous locations make
slum settlements vulnerable to natural hazards. Heavy rains in July 2000 caused a landslide of
garbage that killed 218 people in a slum settled on top of a garbage dump Habitat for Humanity
is building stable shelters for slum residents in Manila. With the help of volunteers, the
organization builds around 5,000 homes every year. The team works with the local government
to rebuild homes and also construct new homes that can withstand the natural elements. From
digging the foundation to pouring the concrete and laying the roof, the organization and
volunteers create sustainable homes from the ground up for thousands of impoverished slum
residents.

The growth of slums in Metro Manila poses serious problems for urban planning,
affecting environmental sustainability, public health, and infrastructural development.
Approximately 4 million people, or 37% of Metro Manila's population, lived in slum
neighborhoods as of 2010. These neighborhoods frequently lack access to essential amenities
including safe housing, sanitary facilities, and clean water, which results in crowded and
inadequate living circumstances. The rapid growth of informal settlements complicates urban
planning efforts, as these areas frequently develop without adherence to zoning laws or building
regulations. This unplanned expansion strains existing infrastructure, making it challenging for
city planners to provide adequate services and integrate these communities into the formal
urban framework. Many slum communities are situated in areas prone to environmental
hazards, such as near rivers, coastal zones, or dumpsites. For instance, the Manggahan
Floodway, designed to manage excess floodwater, has been encroached upon by informal
settlements, reducing its effectiveness and increasing the risk of severe flooding during heavy
rains. This encroachment hampers the city's flood management systems, leading to disasters
that disproportionately affect the urban poor.
 The lack of access to clean water, proper sanitation, and adequate waste disposal in
slum areas leads to heightened health risks. Residents often suffer from waterborne diseases,
respiratory infections, and other ailments due to unsanitary living conditions. The informal
nature of these settlements means that essential public health services are frequently
inaccessible, exacerbating the spread of diseases. Residents of slum areas often face social
exclusion and limited access to economic opportunities. The stigma associated with living in
informal settlements can lead to discrimination, affecting employment prospects and access to
education. This marginalization perpetuates cycles of poverty and hinders social mobility,
making it challenging for residents to improve their living conditions. The densely packed
and poorly constructed housing in slum areas increases the risk of fires and structural
collapses. For example, a devastating fire in the Isla Puting Bato area of Tondo rendered
approximately 10,000 residents homeless, underscoring the vulnerability of these
communities to such disasters.

These issues highlight the urgent need for comprehensive urban planning and policy
interventions that address the root causes of slum proliferation, improve living conditions, and
integrate informal settlements into the broader urban fabric of Metro Manila. While poverty
incidence in urban areas is generally lower than in rural areas, shelter deprivation remains a
severe issue. Urban poverty, although lower in percentage, is increasing due to rapid
urbanization. As of 2006, around 8 million people in urban areas were classified as poor, with
half of this population residing in Metro Manila and other major cities. However, poverty
incidence data primarily reflects income poverty and fails to capture other forms of deprivation,
such as inadequate housing. Most cities and towns in the Philippines were unprepared for the
rapid urbanization that placed immense pressure on infrastructure and essential services. The
lack of access to housing, clean water, sanitation, and electricity has led to the expansion of
unregulated settlements or slums. The government’s tolerance of slum growth, coupled with
the housing market’s inability to meet demand, has exacerbated the issue. Currently, an
estimated 3.7 million housing units are needed, with shortages primarily affecting low-income
families who struggle with rising land prices and construction costs.

Furthermore, the private housing market has failed to provide affordable housing in
locations near employment hubs, making homeownership nearly impossible for the urban poor.
Additionally, the financial sector remains highly conservative when it comes to home
financing, as seen in the low availability of residential mortgage options in the Philippines.
This lack of access to housing finance further limits opportunities for low-income families to
secure stable and adequate shelter.

Because of this Habitat for Humanity is building stable shelters for slum residents in
Manila. With the help of volunteers, the organization builds around 5,000 homes every year.
The team works with the local government to rebuild homes and also construct new homes that
can withstand the natural elements. From digging the foundation to pouring the concrete and
laying the roof, the organization and volunteers create sustainable homes from the ground up
for thousands of impoverished slum residents.
 To give the idea of this issue lets talk about the life of slum and how they endup to the
issues in the Philippines. About one billion people live in slums and the highest concentration
of them can be found in Asia. And to the Philippines where about 20 million people live in
slums. One tenth of slum dwellers live in the capital Manila, in neighbourhoods like this one
in the Tondo District. Tondo is one of the oldest areas of Manila, and dates back about 1,000
years. But the past has been erased by the present. Today it's one of the most densely populated
places on earth. There are 80,000 people per square kilometre. The United Nations says many
of them lack adequate water, housing, sanitation, education, health and employment. The river
which runs through Tondo is a great source of entertainment for the many young people who
live in the slum. Children spend hours swimming in it, but parts of it are choked with garbage.
Some of the slum dwellers, like Estella, admit that they throw throw excrement in, because
they have no toilet. The river is so polluted that the United Nations says it poses a serious risk
to health. There some people is fast asleep on a table in the alleyway underneath the bridge.
That oblivious to the constant sound of children at play or doing house work. The government
has admitted that the population is growing at an alarming rate and the United Nations says the
Philippines has one of the highest rates of population growth in the region. The average family
size is six

Tondo, the largest district in Metro Manila, is also home to the city's most extensive
slum, housing approximately 631,000 residents, many of whom live on the streets or in
makeshift shanties. One of the most impoverished areas within Tondo is Barangay 105,
commonly referred to as “Happyland”, where around 12,000 people reside amidst a dumpsite
surrounded by towering piles of garbage. The district’s name carries an ironic origin, as it was
initially called "Hapilan", a term derived from a local Visayan dialect meaning "smelly trash."
A group of visitors set out to explore this neighborhood without fully knowing what to expect.
They had been cautioned by many not to visit Happyland, yet their curiosity grew when a local
volunteer, involved in educating couples about contraception, offered to guide them. This
individual, whom they first met at a restaurant in Baguio, claimed to have experience working
in Tondo. However, upon arriving in Metro Manila and traveling north toward the slum areas,
it became evident that their guide was unfamiliar with the depths of Happyland and had only
navigated the outer sections of Tondo's informal settlements. Upon realizing the group intended
to venture into the most impoverished sections of the district, the guide chose to turn back,
leaving them to continue their journey alone. Walking through this district evoked a mix of
emotions, which may explain why articulating the experience proved so challenging. Finding
the right words to describe life in the slums of Manila was difficult, and upon reflection, the
struggles faced by families and children on a daily basis bring a sense of helplessness and
frustration.

Many families lack the financial means to provide sufficient food, forcing children to
work rather than attend school. Education is often not a priority, leaving many young
individuals trapped in the cycle of poverty, unaware of life beyond the slums. Additionally,
limited access to information on contraception results in early parenthood among young
couples, perpetuating the same cycle of hardship for future generations.

To address this is issue, what are the government idea how to action this? First
according to News In 2023, President Marcos launched a flagship urban development
initiative. The ambitious project set out to construct six million housing units by 2028 to benefit
30 million Filipinos and generate employment opportunities. Demonstrating a commitment to
collaborative efforts, the government has successfully entered into memorandums of
understanding with 47 local government units to facilitate cooperation on this housing
initiative. Ten months in, the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development
reported 1.2 million housing units built across the country, exceeding program targets.
According to the Philippines Institute for Development Studies, low-income households
cannot afford housing priced at 30% of their income, while middle-income households can.
Coupled with rapid urbanization, this results in a need for more affordable housing near jobs
for lower-income populations.

When housing costs are too high, families may be forced to live in inadequate or unsafe
conditions, compromising their health and overall quality of life. Moreover, high housing costs
can lead to financial strain, limiting individuals’ ability to save, invest or spend on other
essential needs. Addressing housing affordability is crucial for promoting social inclusion,
reducing poverty and fostering sustainable economic development in the Philippines.

Next this is also part of the government addressing the issue Settlements Upgrading
Program by the National Housing Authority (NHA): This program encompasses various
components, including surveying and titling individual lots for qualified occupants,
infrastructure development, housing construction, and rehabilitation. By formalizing land
ownership and improving infrastructure, the program aims to enhance the living conditions
within informal settlements

Metro Manila Citywide Slum Upgrading Project: Piloted in three of seven cities in
Metro Manila, this project targets approximately 400,000 residents living in vulnerable slum
areas. It involves the creation of citywide shelter plans to guide new construction and generate
employment opportunities. The project emphasizes participatory, community-led planning,
mapping, and surveying approaches to empower residents and ensure that upgrades meet the
community's specific needs.

Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP): In collaboration with UN-Habitat,

the PSUP addresses the living conditions of millions of slum dwellers worldwide, including
those in the Philippines. The program focuses on challenges in slums and informal settlements,
working closely with communities to implement sustainable solutions based on

These initiatives reflect a multifaceted approach to slum upgrading in the Philippines,

combining policy development, infrastructure improvement, community participation, and
international collaboration to tackle the complex issues associated with informal settlements.
 For my Conclusion the issue of slums in Metro Manila and other urban areas in the
Philippines remains a complex challenge rooted in rapid urbanization, poverty, and inadequate
housing policies. While urban centers continue to expand, the lack of affordable housing and
basic services forces low-income families into unregulated settlements, where they face poor
living conditions, health risks, and economic marginalization. To address this crisis, the
Philippine government has implemented various programs, such as the National Slum
Upgrading Strategy (NSUS), the Metro Manila Citywide Slum Upgrading Project, and the
Settlements Upgrading Program by the National Housing Authority. These initiatives aim to
provide better housing, improve infrastructure, and integrate informal settlers into formal urban
planning. However, challenges remain, including land tenure issues, financial constraints, and
the growing demand for low-cost housing. A sustainable and long-term solution requires
stronger government policies, private sector involvement, and community participation. By
prioritizing inclusive urban development, equitable access to housing, and economic
opportunities for the urban poor, the Philippines can move toward reducing slum proliferation
and ensuring a more livable and resilient urban environment for all.
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