Friday, February 01, 2008 Speak out: For a comprehensive land use plan By Archt. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao Mandaue City
RECENTLY, the League of Cities in the Philippines made some noise against House Bill 24, "which seeks to convert 27 municipalities into cities."
Protesting leaders of old cities see an eventual decrease in their Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA's) with new cities that would be taking their shares.
The Local Government Code requires a town or municipality to meet just three (or at least one of) essential items: income, population and land area.
This provision should be revised, with one more mandatory requirement added: the aspiring city should have a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
The CLUP is an important tool in mapping out the development of cities.
It consists of plans on land use development that is backed heavily by researches, surveys and participation of sectors.
If fully implemented, the true potentials of a city can be attained.
However, most cities today do not even have an updated CLUP.
While those who have them lack the will and perseverance to efficiently implement its contents and regard them as just for show.
This explains why our cities are very chaotic as far as "development" is concerned.
Here, we have trend development.
The "planners" base development on just immediate need instead of long-term visions.
There are no clear zones for specific activities (commercial, industrial, etc.).
Buildings sprout like mushrooms everywhere.
With CLUP, development is assigned to a specific zone.
Thus, urban sprawl is controlled.
With these guides, infrastructure development is also envisioned earlier (i.e. where to locate roads, drainage facilities, etc.).
Indeed, everything good for the city, its inhabitants and the environment will just follow.
