Tough lessons from Manila

Manila is one of the world’s densest cities, with 14,500 people per square kilometre, almost triple London’s level, UN data shows.

Congestion could cost the capital $155 million (Dh570 million) a day in lost productivity by 2030, a Japanese government study found.

Cities across the Philippines generate more than 70 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), while the percentage of urban dwellers is set to rise by 2050 to 65 per cent — representing 102 million people — up from 45 per cent today, the World Bank says.

“We’re facing a huge infrastructure gap ... and a rapidly growing urban population,” said Lauren Sorkin, director for Asia-Pacific with 100 Resilient Cities (100RC), a network backed by The Rockefeller Foundation.

“It’s going to be enormously difficult to make up deficits, and plan for and meet emerging needs at the same time.”

1 New Clark is a 9,450-hectare city that government officials say will be bigger than New York’s Manhattan by the time it is completed in 25 to 30 years — with an expected population of more than 1.2 million.

2 While New Clark has been hailed for its vision, experts warn the push for resilience in Asia may be sacrificed in the rush to invest the $1.7 trillion per year through 2030 the ADB estimates is required to keep up with the region’s infrastructure demand.

3 Yet despite the range of planned infrastructure, only a third of the $14-billion city’s land will be developed, with two-thirds reserved for green spaces and agriculture, the government said.

4 Houston in Texas and nearby Singapore have provided inspiration on how to plan the city in an integrated manner where water management and green spaces are linked closely to all urban systems, according to Dutch architect Matthijs Bouw.