In his column he cites ten reasons why Metro Manila was losing its soul. Sadly, not that much has changed yet.

You could read the list as a lost cause. Ten reasons why Manila won't ever be a great city again. But I hope some read it as a call to action. Still today, eight years after it was published.

It is true that Metro Manila is wrestling with a great number of deficiencies. But in the short time that I am here, I met people and encountered communities that want to turn the tide. Some want to make Manila anew the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, or at least a city where people can live.

Here are the ten reasons Alcazaren listed, but this time summarized in such a way that if executed, it will give Manila a soul!

• Stop the urban sprawl and build a strong community fabric between the different patches that form Metro Manila

• Work out a master plan that goes beyond parochialism

• Govern Metro Manila as a united metropolitan area

• Respect the heritage and structure of the city

• More green, shared public spaces, parks and plazas

• Link the city with, and turn the city towards the water: Manila Bay, the rivers and esteros

• Unclog and decommercialize the public landscape

• Make Metro Manila a walkable and bike-able city

• Nourish vibrant cultural initiatives, and give cultural expressions space and time to thrive

• Reclaim the Metro, break the agenda of the private companies

An aerial view of Metro Manila

#architecture #manila #philippines