Quezon Memorial Circle Case Study

QUEZON MEMORIAL CIRCLEQuezon Memorial Circle is an oval-shaped national park and shrine in Quezon City, with 15.65 hectares of green space. Its landmark is the mausoleum of former Philippine President Manuel Quezon. Inside this monument you find a small museums with memorabilia.

The park is always full of life during the day, with an average of 8,000 visitors on weekdays, and roughly 12,000 on Saturdays and Sundays. Joggers and cyclists appreciate it as an area without the menacing Manila traffic. Families have picnics under the trees and let their kids go wild on the expansive, colorful playgrounds. Teenagers come here to train dance choreographies or just hang around.

The city government's average income from the park is Php 3 million a month, more than doubling the Php 1.4 million monthly collections of the previous park administrators. The entire government income from QMC goes into the General Fund where it is subject to government audit rules.

QUEZON MEMORIAL CIRCLE BEAUTIFICATION PLAN DETAILS:A. Monument and MuseumBeing the focal point of the park, the Quezon Monument is refurbished, secured and protected from vandals by means of a green buffer zone. It is enhanced with flowering and scented plants for morning appreciation and with colored lights in dramatic hues for the evening effect.

The museum was renovated. The museum pieces and artifacts are organized. A defined path for museum touris established using guided voice prompt or a tour guide. Museum lighting with appropriate illumination level is installed to enhance museum pieces. Air-conditioning system is provided for visitors’ comfort and convenience. A souvenir area is provided.

B. Flora and FaunaThere is an area for tamed animals that are easy to maintain such as birds and butterflies amidst a garden of scented and multi colored flowering plants. Along the foot path the scientific and common names of the animal and flower species in English and Filipino is indicated for educational purposes.

C. Picnic AreaA green area is developed. There is a grass area with shady trees for family picnics. The trees are provided with individual signs featuring their scientific and common names and other related information in English and Filipino for educational purposes. This area would be ideal for people to relax and spend quality time together.

D. Physical FitnessThe current physical fitness programs being implemented in the park is maintained but enhanced with dedicated facilities for each activity. There is a dedicated path for walking, jogging and cycling within the circumference of the park among a tiled path with shady trees. The aerobics area is improved and provided with a better sound system. The football field is revived together with other courts like, volleyball, badminton, basketball, etc. Lockers and shower rooms are provided for a fee.

E. Entertainment AreaThe main fountain at Liwasang Aurora is redesigned and provided with a figure or architecture that will look interesting even if the fountain water is not being operated but will not outshine the Quezon Monument. It is a dancing fountain with multi-colored lights that are computer generated to groove with the music. The music is from the sound system or from a live orchestra or band. Thus, a platform is built for the performers, the design of which will harmonize with the fountain structure. Plants that are mosquito repellants is planted within the surroundings to keep-off insects from water remnants. Other smaller fountains within the is also refurbished. An amphitheater is built complete with proper lighting and sound system for other theatrical performances and special events in the park. The children’s playground is renovated. Safe playground facilities is provided. Colorful tables for toys and table games is provided to encourage sharing, camaraderie and friendly table competitions.

F. ConcessionairesCommercial spaces is grouped and organized. Food concessions is in a strategic location. There is shops for dry goods and souvenirs. A garden with organic vegetable for sale will also form part of the concession area. In that way, there is organization and a proper system for the concessionaires.

OBJECTIVES OF URBAN DESIGNCHARACTER – A place with its own identityQuezon City Memorial Circle Monument or the shrine is an element you’ll find inside the circle that can be considered as its focal point and trademark.

CONTINUITY & ENCLOSURE – A place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguishedQCMC have private and public amenities where people can spend leisure time. In example, the court, open spaces where youth can play and do any activities and other private amenities that is affordable.

Quezon City Memorial Circle Monument Dance Practice in Liwasang Aurora

QC Memorial Circle Volleyball Court

Zipline

Boat Station

Mechanical Rides

QUALITY OF THE PUBLIC REALM – A place with attractive and successful outdoor areasQCMC is truly successful and it possess natural beauty that is appealing and relaxing. QCMC offers ambiance and facilities that attracts and invites people to come.

Dancing Fountain

Liwasang Aurora Stage Charito Planas Garden

EASE OF MOVEMENT – A place that is easy to get to and move throughCars were all over the pathways were people could freely walk and play. These vehicles utilize the spaces that should be, in the first place, be maximized by the people visiting the area. Thus, it leads to the current problem on congestion of cars along those paths, for there are no sufficient parking spaces designated for visitors. Quezon Circle - is located in the middle of Quezon City and you won't miss it on the map. It is the junction of several major roads (namely Commonwealth, Kalayaan, East, Quezon, and Visayas Avenue) and surrounded by the busy Elliptical Road. To cross it, pedestrians can use an underpass at the southern tip of the park, facing QC City Hall.

LEGIBILITY – A place that has a clear image and is easy to understand

ADAPTIBILITY – A place that can change easily

DIVERSITY – A place with variety and choice

SWOT ANALYSISSTRENGTHSThe park is planted with several forest trees which provides abundant shades to the people who spent long hours on weekdays and on weekends. Among the parks regular habitués are fitness buffs that do their jogging, brisk walking and strolling and biking on trails meant for those activities.

There are perfect spots for your prenup photo shoots, commercials, VTRs, and shooting it offers and the tropical garden.

The park have functions rooms where you can organize your party, events etc .Every year there is fireworks display organized by the government.

WEAKNESSESLitters and garbage were all over the place. These abrade the beauty and purpose of the area, which can therefore imply its lack of proper garbage disposal system as well as maintenance.

There were fountains that were not being maximized and are very bare to look at. Most likely, these fountains can only become a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects if not attended to properly.

Moreover, there are also too many tiangge or bazaars that cause pollution and do not really live up to the purpose of the recreational area. In fact, these stalls or establishments were all mixed up, which can cause confusion to those visitors who are not familiar with the area but would want to buy food or purchase souvenirs.

We also observed that the grass and the plants in general are not really taken cared of or maintained properly. The QMC lacks reminders or guidelines that address the purpose of educating people on what they need to do. Vacant spaces which primarily served as “playing fields” for football, archery, and other leisure sport were seemed to be neglected and now had grown tall bushes despite the fact that some players may actually still use the area for their practices

OPPORTUNITIES

QMC prides itself as a repository of history, boasting of two museums – one devoted to priceless Quezonian items and the other memorabilia of Quezon City mayors. To further highlight its cultural role, the park will be the site of the new, modern Quezon City Museum, which will showcase the City’s historical and cultural heritage.

THREATS

Near competitors like La Mesa Eco Park and Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

mandated as a National Shrine

Would be a place where beggars could sleep because of the size and lack of security.

There are greater possibilities for future expansions and proposals because of too many empty lots within the area.