Makati should take up immediate concerns over high-risk areas in Brgy. Rizal, says expert
Dr. Einsiedel (first from right, seated) surpervises the site planning workshop held in Makati City.
In a two-part site planning workshop held on November 13 and 17, 2009 in Makati City Hall, Dr. Nathaniel Von Einsiedel, a distinguished urban management specialist in the Philippines and abroad and Task Leader for the Makati Risk Sensitive Urban Redevelopment Planning, advised the City Government of Makati to address the immediate concerns over high-risk areas in Brgy. Rizal. “Incremental planning is suggested, prioritizing immediate concerns like road widening and establishment of parks while continuously doing awareness campaign,” says Dr. Einsiedel.
This is partly in response to a growing fear from possible eviction and relocation of communities living in high-risk areas. Dr. Einsiedel took this issue positively and explained that resistance from people is expected in a project that entails medium- to long-term interventions. “What we have to do is to come up with a planning program that accommodates immediate-term programs, projects, and activities,” he added.
These immediate-term programs, projects and activities (PPAs) include:
- Land readjustment planning and development of a housing program;
- Development of parking regulations taking into account risk parameters;
- Preparation of open space acquisition plan and pre-disaster neighborhood caches;
- Comprehensive seismic investigation for high-risk structures;
- Establishment of linear parks and bicycle routes along the river; and
- Awareness-raising campaigns.
The immediate, medium, and long-term PPAs for the Risk-Sensitive Site Development Plan were initially developed by the Project Implementation Team, together with barangay officials, city government officials, EMI staff, and representatives from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, last November 13, 2009 at the Makati City Hall.
After reviewing the PPAs, the Risk-Sensitive Site Development Plan for Brgy. Rizal will be peer reviewed and presented to various stakeholders. The Plan is expected to be completed by December 2009.
