TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1338 Arlegui ST., Quiapo, Manila

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CE Laws, Contracts and Ethics

CASE STUDY

Submitted By:
Bataller, Sarah Jane C.

Submitted To:
Engr. Entice

September 24, 2012

ARTICLE:

Architect presents flood-proof designs

By BRYAN G. VILLASANA and LEO O. LAPARAN II

Manila, Philippines – The construction of floating houses is among the remedial measures
proposed to address the problems of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Renowned urban planner Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. labeled these measures as “adaptive
architecture.” Palafox said there is a need to design and build houses and other structures in
Metro Manila that can best deal with massive flooding in the country’s capital.

Targeting full implementation by 2016, Palafox recommended that the government build
elevated establishments, interconnected walkway and monorail to connect with the existing
LRT and MRT stations in the metro. Palafox noted that the famed city of Venice is already
adapting this style of architecture and that the Philippine government just needs political will to
be able to ensure the designs’ implementation.

The same style has already been adopted in the Big Complex in Cagayan de Oro, which was
elevated by 11.5 meters. Some parts of Marikina Riverbanks were also on their way to adapting
this architectural concept. Designed by his firm, Palafox Associates, houses located in flood
prone areas will have a foundation that has a floating mechanism made of rubber boats, plastic
bottles or kawayan (bamboo).

Like the concept of a raft, this mechanism will enable houses to float during onslaught of
typhoons and massive flooding. Residents can also use light materials, like bamboo, as part of
the entire establishment. To ensure that houses won’t move along with the flow of the flood,
extruding columns made of concrete materials will be installed in the four corners to hold the
entire structure even if it floats. House designs will also have extending roofs or wind deflector
to prevent roof destruction caused by strong winds. For commercial buildings or
condominiums, a roof garden can be placed instead of ordinary roofing to reduce the amount
of rain flow that may cause flood in the area, since plants and trees have water-absorbing
capabilities. Palafox also said that with people expecting flood rushing into their
establishments, the first or ground floor of their buildings should be free of any valuable stuff or
electric wirings to minimize risk of disaster.

The ground level can be allotted for parking or activity/function area. Residents should also
have a provision for storage at their buildings’ roof decks in cases of emergency or immediate
evacuation.
Meanwhile, Palafox lamented how the government, from the administration of now Pampanga
Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to President Aquino, seemed to ignore his recommendations in
addressing disasters in the country. “How can we entice investors? How can we say ‘it’s more
fun in the Philippines’ with all the sufferings now?” said Palafox in an interview aired on GMA
News TV. He also noted that of the 60 proposals he sent, only one — hazard mapping — was
given the nod.

After the great flood caused by Tropical Strom “Ondoy” three years ago, Palafox also made 23
recommendations to solve the massive flooding in Metro Manila. The list includes elevation of
cities, relocation of people to higher ground, cleaning of all rivers and waterways, building of a
spillway from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay, implementation of proper solid waste management,
and updating of old urban plans to fit the 21st century. Palafox said that if the government
would only spend at least P10 billion for these projects, the effects would greatly benefit
human life and appreciation of land value. Sought for their reaction, Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) Major Flood Control Project Director Patrick Gatan revealed that
since the Ondoy disaster, they operated based on the grant given by World Bank to first study
and improve Metro Manila flood control projects.

DPWH’s study resulted in prioritizing flood control projects of the Pasig-Marikina River network,
which is not far from overflowing during days of torrential rains and further inundating low-
lying areas of Metro Manila. Pasig River, in particular, has been the subject of immense
rehabilitation efforts since being declared “biologically dead” two decades ago. The study also
covered improvement of large dams, which appeared to have the highest flood risk.

Gatan clarified that the final report was only submitted last March and before it will be
implemented, it still has to undergo the President’s approval and final screening of the National
Economic Development and Authority (NEDA). Gatan also noted that the completion of all
projects can fully be attained in approximately five years and that the government is already
starting its short-term solutions, including dredging, to address flooding issues.
Case Study

1. Salient Points

A world-renowned urban planner proposed the construction of stilt and floating houses in
flood-prone areas in the country in the wake of the massive floods that submerged
Metro Manila and nearby provinces triggered by continuous rains. He said that the natural
catch basin in Metro Manila could no longer cope with the volume of water during heavy
rains, therefore massive flooding would be a regular occurrence in the coming years. The
natural catch basin in Metro Manila could no longer cope with the volume of water during
heavy rains, therefore massive flooding would be a regular occurrence in the coming years.
Massive floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is nature’s way of telling us that we
need to consistently push for urban development policies that are sustainable and
relevant in the midst of climate change. He explains that the stilt house is ideal if there is
high water, but the ultimate solution for floods is the floating house since it would just float
as soon as the floodwater rises. Floating houses has a mechanism that will enable houses to
float during typhoons and massive flooding. Residents can also use light materials, like
bamboo, as part of the entire establishment. To ensure that houses won’t move along with
the flow of the flood, extruding columns made of concrete materials will be installed in the
four corners to hold the entire structure even if it floats.

2. Time context

August 16th, 2012

3. View point

The Philippine government has been building public flood defences for several decades, but
few improvements have been made to individual residences. With flooding likely to
increase in frequency and severity, new alternatives are needed now more than ever.
People expect government action, and many residents have voiced complaints about the
government’s inactivity in floods. Floating houses provides another solution with the effort
of the government to protect the public from floods. To homeowners who choose to live in
a flood-prone area, the floating house protects their home, property and individual safety.
In addition, the FPH design opens up new land to ease the growing space problem. The idea
of floating houses is suits the Philippines needs.
4. Problem

Is the floating house is the ultimate solution to minimize the problems caused by
massive floods in the Philippines?

5. Objective
 To be able to know the different ways/ methods in dealing with floods
 To be able to know the best way to cope with the floods

6. Alternative Courses of Action

There are many ways that can be use to prevent floods from damaging our houses, elevated
building structures are always strong candidates for newly built structures in flood-prone
areas. These houses simply move the inhabitable level above flood plains. This can be done
into several ways:

 Building a stilt houses, these houses are built on columns, where the slab is situated
above the expected flood level.
 Building the house on a hill, this type of house is built on top of a natural hill, which
plateaus above the base flood elevation. Though, close attention should be paid to the
soil characteristics to avoid landslides when the soil becomes saturated during flooding
periods.
 Raising the level of the ground with fill, this alternative uses a man-made hill. The soil
concerns are the same as mentioned before, but the slopes can be adjusted according
to a geotechnical engineer’s recommendation.
 Building on a decrease hill, this is a combination of building in habitable areas above the
base flood elevation and building on a hill. The direction of the flood should enter at the
side of the garage, where the consequences of flood damage are minor.
 Building of floating houses, it is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used
primarily as a human dwelling. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually
moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities.

7. Alternative Courses of Consideration

With the methods or ways describe on how to minimize the cause of damage of floods, I
consider floating houses as the most effective and useful method that we can use in the
Philippines, especially now. Scientist say that we should expect the weather to become
worst in the future due to climate change and the best thing to do is to find a way to cope, a
house that can resist floods, floating house.
8. Time Frame

TIME FRAME ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED

Planning of relocation for
1-2 Month/s
building of floating houses
Temporary relocation of
informal settlers who are
1-2 Month/s Higher grounds
extremely affected by the
floods
Building of floating houses in
1-4 Month/s Floodplains/lower grounds
a massive flood-prone area

9. Recommendation

Philippines suffer from typhoons and monsoon that brings massive floods and killed many
people. In order to avoid those happenings we need to have a new way to built, we should
build a flood proof house. The idea of floating houses is applicable in some areas. This
could also be applied to residents that cannot be relocated so that they could still function
despite the flood. Though they’re still living in flood plain area, it would minimize the
disasters and destructions of so many houses and at the residence wouldn’t lose everything.
The Dutch has proven that floating houses works. Knowing how tough the Dutch people are
in terms of flooding and controlling of the effect of sea tides, and I go with their ideas.

10. Conclusion

There are so many ways on how to deal with a flood. Like building stilt houses, building a
house with a fill, a house on a hill or on a decrease hill, and building a floating houses.
Scientists say that we should anticipate the weather to become worst in the future due to
global warming and the best thing to do is to find a way to cope with it. And, floating houses
is the best method than the other. The main function of this flood proof house, is habitable
during a flood, requires little or no input from the homeowner and, most importantly,
minimizes a flood’s impact on the homeowner, property and the home itself. Ideally, then,
the floating houses should be completely impervious to water while maintaining the
appearance of a traditional home.