In response to natural calamities similar to the intense rainfall and flooding that recently hit Metro Manila and other nearby provinces over the past few weeks, the Philippine government has been developing a “back-up city” that is specifically designed to withstand such situations.
The Philippine government is currently developing a 9,450-hectare “climate change-resilient” city in Clark Air Base located 100 kilometers north of Manila. Ultimately, the city will be called New Clark City.
Protection against natural calamities
In an interview with CNN’s Jane Bracher, Vivencio Dizon, president of government owned and controlled Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), said that the location is higher in elevation than Manila and is surrounded by a nearby mountain range which will help block strong winds brought by storms, lessening the possibility of physical damages in the city.
The city will also be protected by laws such as the imposition of “no build zones” in certain areas of the city to avoid flooding.
The city is also designed not only for storms and flooding, but also for other natural calamities such as earthquakes.
New Clark City, unlike Manila, is not located along or near a fault line.
Green city
The city will also be employing environment-friendly systems in its infrastructure, transportation, and legal sectors.
“Large areas of the city will be pedestrianized, and a river walkway will run right through the city. Efficient mass transportation is planned, to reduce the need for cars,” the report states.
The buildings, designed to use as little energy as possible, will also be using solar power, liquefied natural gas and waste-to-energy facilities.
In the construction of the buildings, “lahar” will be combined with concrete to make the buildings more sustainable.
Under construction
The city is currently under construction with a sports complex expected to be finished before Southeast Asian Games which will be held on December 2019.
The games will be held across the country, however, the New Clark City is targeted to be the Games’ primary host.
The construction is divided into several phases and is expected to be completed in 25 to 30 years. As of June 2018, the progress of construction is already at 9.8%.
Clark infrastructure pushes Central Luzon growth to 9.3% https://t.co/QsI7xoflJY pic.twitter.com/RAdIxLqhYq
— New Clark City (@NewClarkCity) June 14, 2018
Several districts in the New Clark City upon completion are Central Business District, an Academic District, an Agri-Forestry Research and Development District and a Wellness, Recreation and Eco-tourism District, a Mother Nature Network report states.
