Manila Urban Design Festival: Let Go, Notice More, Use Everything
Philippine Primer took part of the Curiosity Design Research during #MNLUrbanDesign’s Day 1 Festival.
FUNNY AND INFORMATIVE. Gabe Mercado explains the proper attitude during an urban crisis in an entertaining way.
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An all-captivated crowd gathered for the most engaging urban designing workshop with Curiosity, a Manila-based design research agency on Saturday afternoon of May 16, 2015 during the Maynila Urban Design Week Festival held at 115 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City.
The event was filled with fun and enthusiasm as they paused, reflected, and discussed on how to get rid of pollution, traffic, and congestion in Manila, and how to move forward towards and inclusive and sustainable urban future. It was composed of series of talks, workshops, panel discussions, games, and activities that really moved the audience.
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PAUSE, REFLECT, DISCUSS. Participants have a group sharing activity to know each other’s experiences on urban designing.
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“I think urban planning is a very personal exercise and that is what this festival is all about,” urban planner and Viva Manila Executive Director Julia Nebrija said as she shared the 10 things she learned while biking around Manila. Julia aims to inspire people to bike because of its cheap, healthy, and smoke-free inherent benefits and is a good way of exploring the metro. “My biking experience showed me that it’s one of the best ways to experience the city.”
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BIKING IN MANILA. Julia Nebrija shares her exciting road stories and adventures to the Maynila Urban Design Festival’s participants.
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The event was an illuminating experience where people got entertained, educated and highly involved of what’s what in urban designing. Speakers Dr. Fras Abaya of the University of the Philippines and Curiosity’s Executive Research Director Pamela Cajilig tackled on local practices of wayfinding in Manila.
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“COMEDY IS OUR TOOL, BUT WE’RE NOT COMEDIANS.” Gabe Mercado poses wacky with Pamela Cajilig.
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Architect Paulo Alcazaren talked about opportunities for urban designing in Metro Manila such as green roofs and green ways, redevelopment of sidewalks, parks, and public plazas, and also heads the Movement for Development and Fixing of All Kantos -in short, MODAPAKA, a very catchy abbreviation. Consultants for Comprehensive Environmental Planning (CONCEP) Chairman Nathaniel von Einsiedel, Ayala Land Inc. Vice President Joel Luna, Ayala Land Inc. Sustainability/Planning Manager Anna Maria Gonzales together with Paulo Alcazaren answered the participants’ questions on a panel discussion.
“The streets are the most essential part in urban designing. How you design the streets, how you craft the streets may create a significant impact for the users,” Joel Luna said.
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THE PANEL. Paolo Alcazaren, Joel Luna, and Dinky Von Einsiedel, moderated by Anna Gonzales. Photo grabbed from Manila Urban Design’s Facebook page.
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The festival aims to be an annual gathering of people united by a common desire to make life in Metro Manila more liveable, inclusive, and meaningful. Catch more about the rest of the Day 1 Festival and the Day 2 festival as well on their Facebook page or to their website.
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Article by Karj Lucena
Photos by Francine Castillo
