Study: City has 75% tree coverage

The research study on Quality and Accessibility of Public Parks and Open Spaces in Davao City that was conducted by researchers from New York University (NYU) have shown that the city has around 75 percent tree coverage among its existing public spaces.

The research, which was conducted from May 19 to May 23, focused on the assessment of the existing public green spaces in the city to recognize the essential renovations and the current status of these public spaces.

NYU research head Patrick Hall, during the presentation of research results held at The Apo View Hotel in Davao City yesterday, said although the city has great tree coverage in its public spaces, most trees are not in good conditions and are dying. The study recommended a thorough planning and design is needed for the replacement and adding of trees.

He also discussed that public spaces in the city have only one bicycle lane across its 39 parks, 60 percent of the public spaces have no pedestrian walkways, and 72 percent have no wheelchair pathways.

He added that the lack of pedestrian, bicycle, and wheelchair lanes lessen the access of the public to the existing open spaces.

Based on the research results, Hall said Davao City should have a long term strategic decision for the double increase of population by 2020, suggesting the local government to start developing a regional park as wide as the Shrine Hills in Matina as early as now as a preparation for the coming years.

City Councilor Mabel Acosta, on the same event, said the city council is ready to process the policy-making for the implementation of the research result anytime.

Acosta said this study is a big opportunity for the local government to push

through the city’s goal of being considered as a green city in the Philippines.

“We will be checking the ratio and proportions of the whole city considering that people who are currently residing are not all registered citizens,” Acosta said.

City Environment and Natural Office (Cenro) Department Head Eliza Madrazo said that Cenro, along with other government agencies, will start working on the 500-square-meter public green space for every 1,000 residents before this year ends.

Madraza added that the city is currently working and planning several green projects and improvements such as the Botanical Garden in Marfori Heights, a mangrove park along Talomo to Indangan, Sta. Ana Port, and Agdao flyover’s underpass.

The University of Southeastern Philippines, University of Mindanao, and Ateneo de Davao University also guaranteed to extend their help to the city government in the survey and architectural planning. BSC