Erick Yambao: ‘We have to infuse nature wherever possible’
The pandemic has disrupted the way we live. The old ways of the city will not work anymore. The whole world is shifting to a different way of living— the “new normal.” Based on the assessment of my architectural team at Plontur, there are three urban planning pillars for the new normal: First, peoplecentric planning; second, arts and graphic design as catalysts of social change; and last, nature integrated in the built environment.
People-centric planning means that we must have more pedestrian-friendly streets. In order to encourage walking, urban planners must introduce more green and open areas. There should also be a shift of focus from commercial to social spaces, in order to encourage Filipinos to live a healthier lifestyle.
An ideal post-pandemic metro will use environmental graphic design for visual cues. Infographics will also be prominent in public spaces to communicate data and direction to the public (such as encouraging distancing). Art and design can also be utilized to spread a positive culture and to uplift the spirits of people.
As for integrating nature in built environments, we must have more green and open spaces. Community gardens must be prioritized and urban farming must become the norm, rather than the exception.
In a project we dubbed “Pasig City 2.0,” we envision what we think is a post-Covid 19 world for Pasig City, specifically Pearl Drive in Ortigas business district. Its business district is a convergence of so many people coming from different areas of Metro Manila.
First, we made the whole Pearl Drive one way and made the rest of the area pedestrian and bicyclefriendly. We then integrated graphic design on signages to promote positivity. With the new normal, visual cues to designate the “seating arrangement” at the park will now be visible.
As we are promoting a healthier lifestyle, we decided to remove the parking area and make the whole stretch into a linear park. We infused nature wherever we can to help improve the public’s mental state and wellbeing.
“Pasig City 2.0” is now part of Plontur’s “Greener MNL,” an ongoing design initiative for a better, greener, and more sustainable Metro Manila.