PHL still one of world’s most congested–wb

THE Philippines remains one of the most congested worldwide based on traffic and difficulties in land registration, according to the World Bank.

In the first report of its kind titled “Pancakes to Pyramids: City Form to Promote Sustainable Growth,” World Bank said the Philippine capital is one of the world’s 10-most congested cities.

The World Bank cited data from the Tom-tom Index which ranked the Philippines the second-most congested city in the world in 2019 and fourth-most congested in 2020. In 2019, the congestion level of Manila is 71 percent while in 2020 the city was 53-percent congested.

“Many developing country cities today struggle with the high road congestion and commuting costs— in time and money—that result from poor transport infrastructure and limited public transit options. Such congestion impedes the separation of residence from workplace, limiting cities’ spatial expansion along with their economic growth and productivity,” the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development said.

Further, the World Bank noted that developing countries like Burkina Faso and the Philippines have not invested sufficiently in land registration. With this, the Washingtonbased lender said half the population in these countries expressed fears of being forced out of their homes against their will in the coming five years. “Wherever land markets do not function well, urban land tends to be underutilized. Prices for central locations are likely to be too high. Land in those locations may go unused, or it may be underdeveloped with low floor space or low built-up area,” the world ’s largest multilateral lender said.

“To enable these cities’ future transformation into dense and livable urban areas, the first prerequisite is to improve access to land,” it added.

In order to ensure the sustainability and livability of cities, the World Bank said city leaders should “plan and prepare for urban growth,” including horizontal growth that is happening at the edge of these cities.

The World Bank said horizontal growth is inevitable for most cities. People will continue to migrate to urban areas for opportunities and a better quality of life, so it is crucial for cities to plan for this trend.

Local leaders must also put in place flexible regulations for urban redevelopment. This means adapting to demand and supply conditions as well as conserving “cultural and natural amenities.”

Cities, the World Bank said, should also invest in networked infrastructure which includes roads and transit arteries between the city center and periphery. “Cities are at the frontier of development; they are where people go to chase their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families,” said Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank.

“This report helps us understand why a city grows outward, inward or up. As we support countries with their Covid-19 recovery efforts, this will also help us reflect on what makes a city livable and remind us that wellplanned urban growth is good for both people and the planet,” he added.

Today, the World Bank said, around 55 percent of the world lives in urban areas. By 2050, this number is projected to surpass two-thirds of the global population, with much of the new urbanization happening in Sub-saharan Africa and South Asia.

While such growth signals opportunities and better livelihoods for millions of people, it also puts immense strain on cities, especially in countries that contend with low incomes and weak institutional and fiscal capabilities.