It may take a while to realize New Clark City’s vision. But lessons must be learned from the daily traffic jams in Metro Manila…
Building a new government hub outside Metro Manila is a feasible solution to decongest the capital region.
It will rectify the failed policies in urban planning that led to monstrous traffic jams and social inequities, and made Metro Manila prone to natural disasters like floods.
A new metropolis, such as New Clark City or Clark Green City in Tarlac province, will also lead to the creation of the country’s first green and smart city that can rise to the challenges of climate change.
Climate change is a real threat―the warming of the oceans is fueling stronger typhoons and causing heavy rains and floods that wreak havoc on the economy and kill hundreds of people.
New communities as envisioned by New Clark City planners should be relocated to higher and safer ground to improve the disaster preparedness of the population.
The vision embodied by the 9,450-hectare New Clark City has of late gained the support of notable Asian developers. Just last week, state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), owner of New Clark City, and South Korea’s National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) signed an agreement to develop the hub.
The partnership aims to leverage knowledge-sharing and collaboration opportunities in urban planning, smart city technology, green energy and administrative systems.
BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang hopes to replicate the success of Korea in relocating several administrative agencies to Sejong City.
For the emerging metropolis, the BCDA has secured commitments to relocate from several agencies, including the Philippine Space Agency, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the National Academy of Sports and the Department of Science and Technology.
Singapore was among the first to lend its hand to develop New Clark City after the recent visit of Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to the Philippines.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the BCDA have presented the government’s vision of transforming New Clark City into an industrial hub where Singaporean businesses can contribute.
The BCDA teamed up with Surbana Jurong of Singapore in drawing up New Clark City’s Comprehensive Master Development Plan, tapping the island nation’s expertise in smart city development.
Building smart and green cities is one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. The concept aims to help stimulate inclusive growth, promote social inclusion, decrease traffic congestion, improve resilience during natural disasters and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are one of the potential solutions to urban problems in developing and developed countries.
For the New Clark City, the BCDA is forging partnerships with foreign companies to develop Clark Green City. Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. volunteered to connect Clark Green City to Manila as well as surrounding cities by rail.
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute also offered to assist the BCDA in coming up with “smart and disaster-resilient” features for the planned community.
New Clark City, to be truly carbon-free, is tapping renewable energy sources to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. BCDA and Danfoss Philippines Inc. signed an agreement to develop a decarbonization framework for New Clark City.
The partnership is seen to drive the adoption of energy-efficient and carbon-neutral technologies in the city’s development.
“With this decarbonization program, we aim to position New Clark City as a model and benchmark for other cities in the Philippines―and even around the globe―that are striving to achieve a net-zero transition,” said Mr. Bingcang.
Danfoss, a Danish company specializing in energy-efficient solutions, will provide technical expertise and knowledge for the initiative.
“By offering a roadmap for green urban transition, it shows how cities can act as ambitious, inspirational, front-runners that showcase green technology and create attractive places to live and work,” said Danfoss general manager Allan Alfredo Almendrala.
It may take a while to realize New Clark City’s vision. But lessons must be learned from the daily traffic jams in Metro Manila and the current infrastructure gap in the transport sector.
A growing population and the continuous migration of workers from the provinces to Metro Manila are causing traffic mayhem in the whole of the capital region. It is time to reverse the tide.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
