53 MUHON: A Journal of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and the Designed Environment University of the Philippines College of Architecture Issue No. 5 Special Research of UPCA Graduate Class The Special Precincts for Urban Redevelopment (SPURs) of Makati City, Metro Manila Michael V. Tomeldan 1 mvtomeldan1@yahoo.com Gino Bjorn A. Abrera Dennis Oliver S. Diaz Joana Lisa R. Dungca Godesil G. Lejarde Dylan James L. Melgazo Glenn T. Orbon Mary Janessie T. Tumambing Voltaire V. Vitug 2 Abstract Urban renewal is a strategy in revitalizing underutilized and degraded sections of the inner city in the hope of reducing crimes, enhancing the environment, preventing further depreciation of land values, and stimulating economic activity. Many urban renewal projects in the past, however, have been associated with massive demolition, displacement of residents, expensive infrastructure and gentrification of the urban renewal site. In Makati City, Philippines, urban renewal schemes are explored to determine the appropriate developments for identified urban renewal sites that are situated in the fringes of its affluent sections. The urban renewal proposals seek to involve the participation of the residents of the blighted areas so that they themselves can benefit from the renewal. The conceptualized “shared growth” urban renewal initiatives attempt to minimize dislocation, encourage investment, improve the urban environment, create a more vibrant neighborhood, and spread economic benefits to most of the existing residents of the redevelopment sites. Keywords: urban renewal, shared growth, sustainable urbanism 1 Michael Tomeldan is a practicing architect and urban planner. He is also an Associate Professor and Head of the Urban Design Studio Laboratory of the College of Architecture of University of the Philippines in Diliman. 2 Gino Bjorn Abrera, Dennis Oliver Diaz, Joana Lisa Dungca, Godesil Lejarde, Dylan James Melgazo, Glenn Orbon, Marie Janessie Tumambing and Voltaire Vitugare graduate students of Prof. Michael Tomeldan in Community Architecture II under the Urban Design Track of Master of Architecture in the University of the Philippines College of Architecture. I. Introduction Makati City is known as the financial capital of the Philippines. It is one of 17 local government units (LGUs) that comprise Metro Manila. It has a total land area of 27.38 square kilometers and a population of 529,000 (NSO, 2010 Census). The country’s biggest banks and corporations, foreign embassies, 62,000 registered enterprises, and the most affluent families have their office and residential addresses in Makati City. Because of the limited land available, the Central Business District (CBD) and the other Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) find themselves alongside communities that are considered less affluent and blighted. An urban renewal program of the city dubbed “Special Precincts for Urban Redevelopment” or SPURs identified 14 urban renewal sites. These SPUR sites were considered underutilized or declining medium-density areas adjacent or accessible to the Makati CBD, Special Mixed Use Zones, or major thoroughfares. The SPURs are envisioned to become new areas for new industries or “start-up” businesses. These strategically located degraded areas have the potential to be transformed into higher value developments that could nurture new business ventures, distribute economic opportunities to the local community, and add to the city’s inventory of commercial spaces. The proposed SPUR sites should have a strong sense of community, entrepreneurship and vitality that will allow economic activity to naturally spill over to them. The Land Use Plan should allow for these SPUR sites to improve their efficiency to perform their new functions as business and commercial villages. For example, development guidelines that provide bonus Floor Area Ratios (FAR) for parcels consolidating to form bigger lots