Comeback cities

TODAY’s article is a collective story of cities that were once completely devastated and thought of as irreparable or beyond hope, cities that were leveled

ways to achieve renaissance. Such accounts confirm that anything is possible. To an architect and urban planner like me, cities that

strengthen my belief that there is plenty of hope for our cities.

After World War 2, no city was more devastated than Warsaw in Poland. It is among history’s most damaged cities because of war. Approximately 85 percent of the buildings were methodically destroyed, and the historical Old Town Market was completely demolished due to Hitler’s order to raze the city to the ground, hoping to annihilate its people, architecture and history. When the war was over, the Poles painstakingly endeavored to upgrade the living conditions of the city while restoring it to what it looked like before the war. In replicating the old Warsaw, they were guided by two principles: 1) to use available accurate archival documents; and 2) to faithfully recreate the city’s 18th century appearance. Historians, conservators and architects of

studied and used documentary records and 17th century paintings to recreate the city. In spite of the severe losses it incurred, the city is famous and applauded for achieving one of history’s best comebacks in terms of reconstruction and revival. Warsaw 2030 is the city’s current road map emphasizing inclusion and participatory decision-making for Warsaw’s future developments.

In the past century, Tokyo was already rebuilt twice — after the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake and the bombings of World War 2. After the earthquake, approximately 48 percent of Tokyo’s homes were destroyed or categorized as uninhabitable; almost half of the population became homeless; almost 7,000 factories and 162 hospitals were

more than two days. Moreover, Tokyo

experienced one of the deadliest attacks during World War 2. Today, Tokyo is a global superpower in innovation, information technology, livability, safety, sustainability, resiliency and economic development.

The US has its own “rust belt,” a term used for a region that experienced severe deterioration. Pittsburgh was formerly one of the US’ thriving manufacturing cities. It produced 60 percent of the country’s steel until it started to experience economic and social strain caused by the fall of its steel industry. More than 25 steel companies went bankrupt, and thousands lost their jobs that resulted in an unemployment rate of more than 17 percent. Factories were abandoned, businesses, railroads and mines closed, and

- moil. Now, the city is enjoying its status as the third most livable city in the US, and it is 34th in the world. The reason behind the shift in the city’s performance was its ability to adapt and develop other industries. Today, technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and education are the city’s key redeeming industries. Products of Pittsburgh’s current manufacturing strength include robotics, information technology and engineering. The city has also become a leader in healthcare through the combined strengths of technology research and the medical programs offered by its prominent universities. The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh has accomplished numerous equitable projects across the city comprising housing construction and rehabilitation, reviving neighborhoods, business financing, mixed- use development, and adaptive reuse of iconic parts of the city, among others.

Detroit was like the country’s Silicon Valley in the early 20th century; its wealth came from the advent of the automobile age, which matched the city’s capability to mass-produce automobiles. Detroit established itself as America’s motor city, and the largest manufacturers in the country were found there. Sadly, things took a turn for the worse during the Detroit Race Riot of 1943. Subsequently, thousands of people along with their businesses relocated, abandoning most parts of the city. According to a former mayor, the riot hastened Detroit’s path to economic desolation. “The money was carried out in the pockets of the businesses

as they could.” Detroit turned into a ghost town and, in 2012, it was recognized as one of the country’s most dangerous cities. It was only three years ago that the city’s conditions started to change as revitalization efforts began. The city is on its way to recovery as investments and development pour

to design housing, urban farms, and parks; abandoned historical sites and buildings are reused and redeveloped; and most importantly, there is a greater focus on inclusive city planning to reinvigorate neighborhoods, incentivize investment, and provide improved services, among others. Included in the city planning department’s primary goals are to increase affordable housing and safeguard the local culture by optimizing Detroit’s high degree of community engagement — encouraging residents to share how changes in the city can continuously improve. The city still has a lot to work on, but its transformation is undeniable and its residents are excited for what lies ahead.

Next to Warsaw, did you know that Manila was the most devastated city after World War 2? No other city in our country is more overdue for its own renaissance. Once known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” our nation’s capital is rich with history, culture and development potential. Sadly, its prime has been long delayed by numerous unsolved urban and social challenges. Other cities faced worst fates, yet they found ways to reverse their conditions and sustain their progress. One of the fundamental lessons we can learn from comeback cities is that their development was successful because of active citizen participation partnered with consistent support from the business sector, strong political will, visionary leadership, and appreciation for good planning and good design. Informed with planning and design values, residents can have a powerful vision for their city’s development strategy. I strongly believe Manila shows immense promise because of the renewed trust in the local government as it strives to revive the city’s former glory so it can write its own inspiring comeback story.