The Lungs of a Metropolis

THE LUNGS OF A METROPOLIS

by Antonio C. Antonio

August 7, 2014

Central Park is an 843-acre breathing room in the heart of New York City, USA.  In 1858, a plan was drawn to improve Central park known as the Greensward Plan proposed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux.  Construction was completed in 1873 after the American Civil War.  Designated as a National Historical Landmark in 1962, Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States.

What then could be the significance or importance of an urban park like Central Park?  A lot of landscape ecology practitioners and advocates believe that every highly urbanized landscape should have a spatial provision for an urban park.  In the larger scheme of ecology, providing an area to establish an urban park goes beyond mere aesthetics.  It is also a measure of improving the health and welfare of the people residing and working in these highly urbanized areas.

Comparing New York City to Metro Manila may be tough considering the more deliberate urban planning made by the New Yorkers decades ago while Metro Manilans are only on reactive planning mode before and even now.  Another difference is the very complex governance structure in Metro Manila where there are 18 independent local government units (17 cities and a municipality).  None of these local government units, especially those located at the center of the metropolis, will be willing to give up real estate for this purpose.  Throw-in other regional and national governmental agencies only increases the complexity of governance in Metro Manila.

Several urban planning and renewal experts, notable among them is Arch. Felino A. Palafox, Jr., who has drawn plans and blueprints to improve the Metro Manila’s landscape.  Real estate developers are also beginning to incorporate the green living concept but their efforts are limited only to small patches of greens.  Metro Manila needs something bigger… an urban park in the mould of Central Park in New York City.  A breathing space we could consider the lungs of a metropolis.

Just my little thoughts…

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