Sustainable housing in Cebu City | Philippines | FES Asia

Summary

Metro Cebu faces urbanization pressures with a growing population nearing two million, highlighting the need for sustainable housing and services. The city's response includes a shelter framework plan for affordable, safe housing, especially for vulnerable groups. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of densely packed communities, prompting urgent action for sustainable urban development. Cebu City's initiatives, such as the first lead rise socialized housing project, aim to create a sustainable city for future generations, supported by international programs recognizing its potential.

Takeaways

• 🌆 Metro Cebu is the second busiest metropolitan area in the Philippines, attracting people from the southern parts of the country and facing pressures on basic services like housing due to its growing population nearing two million.
• 🏢 The economic center of Cebu City is envisioned to be a leader in inclusive and sustainable urban development, focusing on people's resiliency and shared vision for urban renewal.
• 🏠 The city faces challenges in providing decent yet affordable housing, efficient transportation, and public utilities to its residents, especially during a health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 🤝 Cebu City's active housing board, with representations from civil society, has been instrumental in passing the City Shelter Framework Plan, aiming to provide affordable, safe, and livable housing options for its residents.
• 🛑 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of the urban poor, particularly those living in densely packed communities where social distancing is nearly impossible.
• 🏘️ Barangay Mambalin, with a high concentration of urban poor, experienced the highest number of COVID-19 cases in May 2020, underscoring the need for better urban design in socialized housing programs.
• 🚧 The city's existing housing programs have constraints, with relocation sites often being located on disaster-prone lands and lacking basic service facilities, contributing to the spread of diseases.
• 🏗️ There is an urgent need for the city to rebuild and reimagine its urban design, reassessing land use and zoning policies to incorporate disaster reduction and mitigation frameworks in response to climate change.
• 🏡 Sustainable housing is identified as a crucial component for holistic and sustainable development, with the city implementing a shelter framework that addresses housing adequacy, affordability, and sustainability.
• 🌱 Cebu City has taken steps towards sustainability by sponsoring a resolution declaring a state of climate emergency and committing to a city-wide just transition to reverse global warming.
• 🏙️ The city's efforts in sustainable housing and urban development have been recognized through initiatives like the Indido Eco Cities Initiative and the UK's Global Future Cities Program, positioning Cebu as a potential leader in sustainable communities.

Q & A

What is the current status of Metro Cebu in terms of population and economic activity?

Metro Cebu is the second busiest metropolitan area in the Philippines, next to the National Capital Region, with a population nearing two million. It serves as an economic center attracting people from the southern parts of the country.

What challenges does Metro Cebu face due to urbanization?

Metro Cebu faces pressures on basic services, especially housing, as the ballooning population leads to increased demand for affordable and safe living spaces.

How does the speaker envision Cebu City's role in sustainable urban development?

The speaker sees Cebu City as a leader in inclusive and sustainable urban development, emphasizing the importance of people's resiliency and a shared vision for urban renewal.

What are the key components of sustainable growth mentioned in the script?

The key components of sustainable growth mentioned include mortgage and rent affordability, green transportation, public utilities and services, and open and safe spaces.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the vulnerabilities of the urban poor in Metro Cebu?

The pandemic revealed that the poor and working class, who are the most vulnerable, struggle to sustain themselves and are often unable to afford basic necessities during health crises.

What measures did Cebu City take in response to the housing crisis and the impact of Typhoon in 2010?

Cebu City embarked on sustainable housing initiatives, establishing an active housing board with representations from civil society and passing the City Shelter Framework Plan to provide affordable, safe, and livable housing.

What is the City Shelter Framework Plan, and what does it mandate?

The City Shelter Framework Plan is a law that mandates the city government to provide options for affordable, safe, and livable housing for residents, especially vulnerable informal settlers.

How does the script describe the living conditions of informal homes in urban areas?

Informal homes in urban areas have an average occupancy of five people every six square meters, leading to poor living conditions that worsen the risk of spreading diseases like COVID-19.

What were the issues identified in the socialized housing program of Cebu City?

The issues identified include small housing units with several households, lack of open spaces, no access to water, and relocation sites that are not 100 percent habitable and prone to landslides.

What actions did the Cebu City Council take in response to the climate emergency declared in October 2019?

The Cebu City Council committed to a city-wide just transition in reversing global warming and reassessing land use and zoning policies to incorporate disaster reduction and mitigation frameworks.

How does the speaker describe the vision for a sustainable city in Cebu?

The speaker envisions a sustainable city in Cebu that invests in its constituents, helps them afford the basics to survive the new normal, and is supported by an enabling local government.