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History of Planning in the Philippines (Spanish American Period)Eduardo F. Bober, Jr.Credits: Anya Raquin

Under the Spaniards(1521 1898)The Laws of the Indies was employed as the standards to all development in the Philippines under King Philip II reign. These laws provided guidelines for:

Site selection (e.g.: elevated and healthy location with fortification) Layout and dimensions of squares (e.g.: grid layout; main plaza as the starting point)Streets and other land uses (e.g.: small plazas surrounded by principal buildings; other lots for merchants shops and dwellings and more farm lots)

Barangays were grouped into pueblos (towns); pueblos into provinces (alcaldias), the provinces into the country.

In 1568, the country was divided into encomiendas. The system was abolished in 1630 which was replaced by the establishment of the provincial and municipal governments. Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

Original plan of Manila (1898). Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

All roads lead to Manila and Madrid, a centralization principle of colonialism. This is manifested in the dendritic pattern of town locations that easily siphoned off resources from the hinterlands to the port or primate city of Manila.

The Galleon trade (1790) and Mercantilism reinforced Manilas primacy and favored only certain urban areas supplying selected products.

The Maura Law of 1893 established a municipal tribunal or council for each town with at least a thousand taxpayers. It extended autonomy to the provinces. Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

The Philippine Plaza Complex and Spains reduccion policy meant to bring the dispersed population under the bells. Town (poblaciones) plans followed the Greco-Roman pattern marked by a grid pattern with the core (colonial) elements of plaza complex of church, town hall, market, schools, and principalia dwellings. Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

Taga-Bayan and Taga-Bukid the reduccion policy created town and rural residents. Within the town, peopled lived around the plaza, with the illustrados located closest to the center and the lower class living at the periphery within the sound of bells (debajo de las campanas). The taga-bukid constituted a small minority who had to be in the fields or rural areas planting rice. Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

INTRAMUROS a self-contained community that interacted within its surrounding communities. It has 1.2 km2 area with a 3.4 km. walled-perimeter. When decentralization occurred, communities were built in Malate, San Miguel, Paco among other areas.Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

In 1890, other port cities continue to become urban centers, bridges were built along coastal routes facilitating transport in Luzon. Under the Spaniards (1521 1898)

Under the Americans(1898 1946)The plaza complex was modified. The town center which was focused on the plaza and the church shifted to the market place.

On July 31, 1903, by virtue of Act No. 183, the City of Manila was incorporated. Manila encompassed Intramuros, the towns of Binondo, Tondo, Sta. Cruz, Malate, Ermita, Paco and Pandacan.

Burnhams Plan for Manila (1905) Daniel H. Burnham, architect and exponent of the City Beautiful movement prepared the plans for the growth of Manila and Baguio City. Planning influence was that of Patrick Geddes, i.e. survey-analyze-plan. The plan was implemented by architect William E. Parsons.Under the Americans (1898 1946)

Burnhams original plan of Manila (1905)The plan focused on parks, grand avenues and monumental groupings of public buildings as a strong civic core. Under the Americans (1898 1946)

The Americans gave greater emphasis on sanitation, housing and aesthetic improvements. In 1910, rebuilding of settlements was done complete with hygiene and sanitary facilities and drainage systems (Sanitary barrios)Barrio obrero in 1915 came up as a housing scheme for local labor groups.Under the Americans (1898 1946)

City planning did not get institutional foothold. A zoning plan was prepared only in 1929.

A zoning ordinance proposed in 1935 failed due to opposition from real estate and other special interests.

No laws (during the period) were enacted to mention about the substance of planning. Under the Americans (1898 1946)

In 1939, Commonwealth Act 457 authorized the transfer of the capitol to an area of 1572 square hectares.

After the war, RA 333 designated Quezon City as new capital and master planning was done by the Capital city Planning Commission.

City Beautiful reflected the aspirations of an emerging nations and the visions of a passionate leader. Under the Americans (1898 1946)

In 1946 (post-commonwealth) that the National Urban Planning Committee was created by President Sergio Osmea for the reconstruction of cites. Under the Americans (1898 1946)