GEE 001: GENERAL ELECTIVE 1

First Semester – ARCH11SB2

GROUP # 1
MEMBERS: Abilong, Learica-Ann Guatno, Jian Marl
Alderete, Iris Chloe Pasion, Riza Mari
Coronado, Annthea Pamela Probadora, Lander
Cruz, Mark Andrei Villasante, Alfred
Evangelista, Camyle Angenelle

THE HUMAN POPULATION & URBANIZATION

(in relation to ARCHITECTURE)

I. INTRODUCTION
Urbanization
● A process by which cities are formed and become larger due to industrialization and
economic development, and that encourages urban specific changes in
specialization, labor division, and human behaviors.

Population
● The number of people living in a particular area, from a village to the world as a
whole. A secondary meaning of population is the inhabitants themselves, but in most
uses, population means numbers.

Architecture centers around these two factors that hold significance not just in the
Philippines but worldwide. As architects, our main objective is to build structures that
enhance society. We aim to create practical buildings that meet the needs of their users. It's
crucial to consider the intended audience and environment when constructing these
buildings. With these in mind, the group aims to discuss the Relationship between Human
Population, Urbanization, and Architecture in the Philippine context.

II. HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

Current Global and Local Statistics Trends
● [Global] By 2050, the United Nations predicts the number of people on our planet
will grow from about 7.6 billion today to nearly 10 billion. Urban areas, now
welcoming about 55% of the global population, will contain 68% by 2050. Most of
this increase will take place in Asia and Africa, primarily in India, China and Nigeria.

● [Local] As of September 1, 2023, the Philippines currently has an estimated

population of 117.6 million people. Nearly half of them live in urban areas, and this
number has stayed steady throughout 2022. One result of this trend is the
emergence of megacities like Metro Manila. Metro Manila is one of the
fastest-growing megacities in the world, ranked 14th out of 20, with a projected
population of 14.8 million by 2025.
 Impact of Population Growth in Urban Areas
1) Demand for Urban Environments — Population growth rapidly increases the
construction of buildings inside the cities and spreading outwards the boundaries of
cities, expanding the hard surfaces of construction materials and replacing natural
surfaces and green areas.

2) Range of Environmental Problems — Increased population density worsens

environmental issues such as reduced vegetation, climate change, pollution, water
supply, increased energy demands, inadequate housing, and traffic congestion.

3) Proliferation of Informal Settlers — The rapid urbanization in Metro Manila has

caught the city off guard, leading to immense pressure on its infrastructure and basic
services. This has resulted in a severe scarcity of affordable land for housing. The
insufficient access to these amenities has caused the emergence of unsanctioned
and uncontrolled settlements, commonly known as slums.

III. URBANIZATION
Definition and Causes
● A process by which cities are formed and become larger due to industrialization and
economic development, and that encourages urban specific changes in
specialization, labor division, and human behaviors. A country's urbanization rate
refers to the share of the total population living in an urban setting.

● Urbanization has been driven by various factors, including population increase,

migration from rural to urban areas and growth centers, the search for opportunities
(employment, education, healthcare, etc.), expansion of services sectors, and
industrialization.

Effects of Urbanization on Architecture

1) Vertical Expansion – Urbanization has led to the construction of high-rise buildings
and vertical cities, which efficiently use limited space to accommodate large
populations.

2) Mixed-use Development – The physical integration of multi-functions within the

same structure. This promotes convenience, pedestrian accessibility, economic
development, and saving considerable space.

3) Compact Design – Compact cities intensify interior space utilization, limitation of

urban growth, and promotion of sustainable transportation options while conserving
valuable open space.

4) Adaptive Reuse – A contemporary approach that revitalizes and repurposes

existing structures while preserving its original structure and architectural heritage.

5) Sustainable Design – Urbanization's growth has highlighted the importance of

sustainable and eco-friendly architecture. This approach incorporates environmental,
functional, and quality considerations to design and plan a building while valuing its
long-term durability.

6) Infrastructure Integration – To create effective city systems, architects need to

consider the needs of urbanization by including good infrastructure like public
transportation, utilities, services, and communication networks in their designs.
 Role of Architects in Designing Sustainable & Resilient Urban Environments
● As a Moderator – Dealing with the demands regarding the design of a building to
find the best compromise between clients, actual users and society as a whole.

● Enhance Urban Efficiency – Using adequate construction techniques for ecological

and efficient urban structures.

● Promote Urban Diversity – Designing a building that serves the purposes of

individuals as well as communities.

● Develop Urban Identity – Creating designs and plans that reflect the subjective
preferences of a society.

IV. CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARCHITECTS

Challenges for Architects
1) Accommodating Growing Populations – Due to the rapid increase in population,
architects face a significant issue in designing urban areas. The demand for more
housing and work spaces to accommodate the larger population can lead to
infrastructures that fall below standard.

2) Financial Resources – Architectural projects require careful planning and design

that takes into account the costs of materials, construction, and maintenance. It is a
challenge for architects to propose an effective design within a limited financial
source due to various problems such as increased cost of materials, advancement of
technology, and labor costs.

3) Environmental Problems – Urbanization can lead to various ecological problems.

Cities that block natural land cover with high concentrations of roads, structures, and
other surfaces that retain and absorb heat cause the “urban heat island effect." The
high concentration of infrastructure in urban areas causes a significant environmental
change, making it difficult for architects to design and plan.

4) Socio-cultural Factors – Urbanization is caused by the pursuit of more efficient and

advanced technologies and "trend" living. Architects often prioritize the development
of these technologies, but this can compromise socio-cultural and vernacular
considerations and practices, resulting in buildings that are foreign to their own
country and lose their "spirit of place."

Opportunities for Architects

1) Increase of Potential Clients – Increase in population is equivalent to the increase
in potential clients. The rise in demand for architectural design gives architects a fair
chance of receiving better job opportunities.

2) Evolution of Architecture – As a consequence of urbanization, architects are

obliged to adapt to various issues related to designing for a project. This leads to
innovative ideas and approaches, resulting in the continuous evolution of architects
and their designs with the goal of creating a better and more sustainable living
environment for the population.
 V. CASE STUDIES
Effective Incorporation of Sustainable Architecture in Philippines’ Cities
● Iloilo – The Western Visayas region is recognized for its highly urbanized area, which
adopts a planned city extension (PCE) approach to manage population growth and
urban development. This method facilitates the creation of a more livable, attractive,
competitive, sustainable, and highly mobile environment. The government's goal is
to promote balanced infrastructure development by implementing “horizontal”
projects and programs that enhance the quality of life for Ilonggos while preserving
the environment and restoring biodiversity.

● Cagayan de Oro – Cagayan de Oro’s ecosystem presents a mix of coastal and

upland areas with vibrant commercial and residential areas in the city center. The
city’s strategic role in the development of the Southern Philippines is reflected in its
Comprehensive Development Plan, aiming to manage a city with good governance
and an empowered economy that strives for a highly competitive economy.

● Batangas – Any government, organizations, and shareholders work with the

provincial land use for the completion of the Batangas City Comprehensive Land
Use Plan. Optimized land use based on sustainability and capability; promoting
safety and public health even with the continued population growth through
compatible arrangement of various land uses and recognition of buffer areas.

VI. CONCLUSION
As a population grows, urbanization becomes necessary to meet the needs of a civilization.
Urbanized cities offer opportunities for individuals and the nation as a whole, but there are
also drawbacks, such as the depletion of natural resources and harm to the environment,
hence necessitating sustainable and practical designs to address these issues. Architecture
may directly support a city's goals of being a junction for culture, innovation, and well-being.
The "whole" of a structure must be considered concerning its surroundings, including human
activity, transportation, safety, and people living in cities. As aspiring architects, we must
think about our upcoming projects and bear in mind that they ought to help the community
as well as the city.

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