THE UPLIFTMENT OF RECTO

AVENUE
MIDTERM PAPER

FRANCINE NICOLAI D. CORTEZANO

SPLTZN 251- SECTION 4
I. Introduction

The Recto avenue is found south of Manila city jail, traversing most of Manila’s Universities
or the “University belt”. It houses the street to LRT 1’s last station; Doroteo Jose and directly
above is LRT 2’s Recto station; connecting Manila to its further north to Quezon city. The
train serves 200,000 passengers per day and most of which are students from the University
Belt. Despite its perilous reputation of having high numbers of small crimes and a venue for
illegal activities, it is a certain option path for most of these students and the rest of Manila.

This study aims to improve the condition of Recto avenue stretching from Rizal Avenue to
Quezon Boulevard. It focuses on the improvement of the environment surrounding the LRT
2 entrances and the dimly-lighted areas due to the LRT 2 infrastructure for the upliftment of
community behavior and lifestyle and the safety of the users by means of the path.

The Community
Most livelihood means in these areas are eateries, general merchandise stores, print shops
and tricycle or jeepney drivers. Despite the incredible amount of competition, the vendors
are acquaintances and are familiar with the people and their surroundings. There is a sense
of mutual trust and sociability amongst them. The community is most vibrant around 5pm
onwards due to heavy foot and vehicular traffic.

The Built Environment

Most of the building surrounding the avenue are commercial in use. Print shops, motels,
eateries and dormitories are the usual functions of the buildings. Numerous vendors set up
stalls around the station and tricycle drivers park their vehicles to streets parallel to the said
avenue, choking vehicular flow and pedestrian circulation.
The area is dim even at day due to the projection of the LRT 2 building above and the height
of buildings at its sides. Hindering daylight and ventilation from the streets, the portion of
the path remains humid and unexhausted throughout the day.

There is a good distance for sidewalks in the area but are cramped by vendor’s stands and
informal motorpool each side. Some buildings have arcaded sidewalks but still occupy most
of the width, leaving little to none for the pedestrians- who often opt for the streets along
with vehicles.
II. Project Goals and Objectives

1. Make Recto Ave. a safer path for the commuters through introduction of natural
daylighting, especially in its dimmed areas.
2. Create a better working and commercial environment for the vendors and
transportation (jeep/tricycle) drivers through strategic zoning of stalls and proper
placement of pick up and drop off points without sacrificing their potential market.
3. Improve air quality within the area by integrating low-maintenance vegetation or
exhaust mediums especially below the LRT 2 building.
4. Improving and standardizing conditions of pedestrian crossing and sidewalks for to
be more inclusive and safe for its users.
 III. Design Solutions

Through the use of vertical gardens, there may be an improve in air quality and overall ambiance of the
place. Vertical gardens also help absorb noise pollution from the busy streets and reduce the urban heat
island effect.

Application of wood textures in the exterior walls would uplift the overall look of the station and help
ease the visual weight of the LRT station.

Application of fiber glass for alternative light source would be a cost effective and energy efficient
solution for the area covered by the station overpass. At day, the fiberglass would absorb and diffuse
light from the sun and diffuse to its body and would function as a normal lamp at night. It requires lesser
energy that conventional light sources and may be tapped to solar panels.

Street vendors serve as eyes and give a sense of

protection to users. Through proper allotment of
space; the vendors will have a safer, more sanitary and
more marketable stalls for livelihood. A lot of spaces
from the LRT are vacant and idle. Implemented in
these, there would be lesser density in the sidewalks.

Massive motorpool parking may be placed in between

the two streets instead of the usual barrier integrated
with proper railings for protection.
Sources:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316505048_Ecological-social-
economical_impacts_of_vertical_gardens_in_the_sustainable_city_model

https://www.core77.com/posts/22586/things-wed-like-to-see-subway-stations-with-better-lighting-
22586

https://www.ambius.com/green-walls/what-are-vertical-gardens/