Designing Cities

Urban designer Sean Chiao, a product of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, talks to Chit Lijauco about some of his design philosophies and why they are critical to the future of cities

he architect and urban designer Sean Chiao is photographed against the BGC skyscape. In a few hours he would be flying home to Hong Kong but not without stopping by Bonifacio Global City first, perhaps to visit the Philippine branch of his company Aecom and perchance to see again this part of the metropolis which he designed. “I took charge of BGC’s original master plan and the design guidelines. I am pleased to see the development has kept many essential parts of the plan,” he says, but adds, “Unfortunately, the support infrastructure system [such as the North Rail along C-5 and the train station] was not put in place to support the development density.”

Chiao espoused open spaces for the BGC in the mid-1990s, an advocacy that was met with some protest. The unbelievers told him the climate was too hot, and Filipinos do not want to go outdoors—to which he argued that Filipinos prefer staying indoors because there is no place for them to go outdoors. “Great public realm is critical to a successful city. We must create comfortable microclimate to let our citizens enjoy their outdoor public space and through their activities to celebrate their own cultural identity,” he averred.

Since his collaboration with the stakeholders of BGC, and even though his vision was not followed in detail, the president of AECOM Asia Pacific has kept his ties with the Philippines even closer. His company, a Fortune 500 fully integrated global infrastructure firm, is now involved with the comprehensive redevelopment plan of Clark Field into, what he says, the Philippines’ first “smart” city for the 21st century. Chiao reveals in general his design for the over 9,000-hectare former American air base: zoned institutional, commercial, high and lowrise residences, a new national sports centre, and plenty of public open space. “Underlying the whole development will be the right level of infrastructure to make the city thrive—from investments in transportation and technology to 21st century connectivity, mobility, productivity while maintaining a distinctly Filipino city authenticity.”

While doing this, Chiao also points his vision towards Intramuros via a unique collaboration between AECOM and his alma mater, the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD).

Chiao is a proud alumnus of this prestigious college which counts the famous architects Walter Gropius and IM Pei on its roster of graduates. He first learnt of it when he was doing his undergraduate studies in Taiwan; many of the professors he held in high esteem went to GSD. “Honestly, I didn’t think I could get in,” he revealed in an interview with his alma mater, also describing the opportunity as “both very exciting and intimidating.”

Originally from Taiwan, Chiao knew he wanted to be in the design field as early as when he was in grade school. He never veered away from this focus and was pretty sure, as well, that he did not just want to design buildings, he wanted to design cities and communities. “Buildings are important, and I