Revitalizing the Sidewalks of España Boulevard through a Street Management Plan vis-à-vis Community Empowerment

Roads are very critical in the progress of any city or community. Similar to the human body, streets are arteries that ensure the efficient flow and function of the various systems. These allow people and goods to be transported from one place to the next. Aside from access to basic services, utility lines like power and water may run along these engineering infrastructures. The City of Manila – one of the oldest cities, the political capital of the Philippines, and home to numerous educational institutions – has made attempts to address these concerns. Existing land use is mostly residential and mixed-use, wherein lower spaces have been converted into commercial spaces while the upper floors are for private or bedroom areas. High-rise residential developments have sprouted along its major thoroughfares. (MANILA-CLUPZO, 2010) The scope of the study will be along the stretch of España Boulevard, a 2-kilometer secondary road that links Quezon City and Manila. To address the problem, the study will review (1) the present conditions of the pedestrian experience within the site, (2) past and present projects of the national and local government, and (3) pedestrian and vehicular access within the site. This will include the 2005-2020 Manila Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance (MCLUPZO) and other on-going developments. Preliminary findings were heavy vehicular traffic, obstructed streets, and flooding are common urban problems, which include España Boulevard. Environmentalists and experts have reasserted that rapid urbanization and climate change has contributed to the worsening situation in cities like Manila. Government mitigations usually include the rehabilitation of roads and dredging of drainages. Still, continuous rising floodwater threatens the safety of stranded residents and students within the area. Adapting the Community Development Framework (Greater Shepparton City, Australia), the study reconciled archival and online data with collective inputs and feedback from public officials and stakeholders. Tactics included focused group discussions with project implementers and representatives from the academe, online questionnaires, and site documentation. Through community engagement, stakeholders of España Boulevard validated these concerns while also realizing the positive features and opportunities of the area for pedestrianization, sustainability, and heritage. The consultation workshop with residents, community and local officials led to the collective vision of: “España Boulevard: to be safe, flood-free, a well-maintained major road, with disciplined pedestrians and drivers, unobstructed sidewalks, green landscaping, efficient utilities, and police visibility.” The study resulted in conceptual designs of the sidewalks of España Boulevard, which were presented to stakeholders. The present pandemic situation was also considered as walking and alternative transportation has helped decongestion said boulevard. The potential of linking tourism and education along the sidewalks were likewise considered through cultural mapping of the study area. Local and community officials were also reminded to consider the following: 1) Effective Governance: Strict implementation of ordinance on unobstructed sidewalks, illegal vending and parking; 2) Public Presence: Unified efforts of police and barangay officials in maintaining the cleanliness, safety and security of streets; and 3) Private participation: Incentives to business and home owners in the maintenance and upkeep of their properties. Learnings of the study are applicable to cities, who have limited space for expansion.