DESIGNING FOR DISASTER RESILIENCE 1

Designing for Disaster Resilience: A Mixed-Use Complex in Macabebe, Pampanga

Mark Justine De Guzman Mallari

Architecture Department, SEA, Holy Angel University

AR-502: Architectural Thesis Project

Ar. Lovely Pearl A. Estrera, uap, RMP

Aug 2023
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Designing for Disaster Resilience: A Mixed-Use Complex in Macabebe, Pampanga

Background of the Study

Natural disasters are a recurring phenomenon that can significantly impact human

settlements and the built environment. In the Philippines, for instance, the country is

frequently exposed to different hazards such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and

landslides. Despite the country's experience in dealing with such disasters, the impact of

these events remains significant, particularly in terms of the loss of lives, damage to

infrastructure, and economic costs.

As a response to the recurring occurrence of disasters, there has been a growing

interest in designing disaster resilience, which aims to create buildings and infrastructure

that can withstand and adapt to various hazards. The concept of resilience entails the

ability of a system to anticipate, prepare for, and recover from significant stress or

disturbance.

This thesis aims to explore the notion of designing for disaster resilience by

conducting a study of a mixed-use complex located in Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines.

The complex is situated in a flood-prone area and has been exposed to several flood

events in the past. The study will assess the current state of the resilience of complex and

propose design interventions that can enhance its resilience to floods.

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Statement of the Problem

The proposed mixed-use complex in Macabebe, Pampanga aims to investigate the most effective

design strategies to create a disaster-resistant infrastructure that meets the needs of the

community, with the results having a significant impact on the development of such

infrastructure not only in Macabebe but also in other similar communities facing similar

challenges.

Research and Project Objectives

1. By Designing the complex with flexibility and adaptability in mind and incorporating

modular elements and flexible spaces that can be easily modified to meet changing disaster risks

and user needs. (UN SDG No. 11);

2. To Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization,

and foster innovation" by exploring sustainable design strategies for disaster-resilient mixed-use

complexes. (UN SDG No. 9);

3. To Improve the living and working conditions for the residents of Macabebe,

Pampanga, and support local businesses through the creation of a mixed-use complex. (UN SDG

No. 1);

Significance of the Study

The research "Designing for Disaster Resilience: A Mixed-Use Complex in Macabebe,

Pampanga" is significant because it tackles a vital need for proactive and context-specific

disaster mitigation and urban development techniques. Macabebe, Pampanga, like many other

areas, is facing increasing natural and manmade threats. The research directly addresses the

requirement of developing catastrophe resilience at the local level by focusing on the design of a

mixed-use complex in this location. This study's findings may pave the way for creative
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architectural and urban planning solutions that include catastrophe resilience concepts, perhaps

acting as a model for future projects. This study not only has the potential to save lives and

assets, but also advances knowledge in disaster management, architecture, and other fields

Scope and Limitations

The research is being conducted in Macabebe, Pampanga, a region prone to natural

calamities including as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes. The majority of the data for this study

came from the proposed mixed-use complex, with an emphasis on its architectural design and

disaster resilience features. The project will bring together experts and stakeholders involved in

the development to get insight into the challenges and opportunities for disaster-resilient design

implementation.

Architects, urban planners, developers, local governments, and community members

participating in the mixed-use complex project comprise the data collection population. By

selecting volunteers from each of these categories, the research hopes to gain a comprehensive

understanding of the issue.

Review of Related Literature

Perceptions Of Disaster Resilience And Preparedness In The Philippines

In the recent studies of Bollettinno, V., et. al. (2018), it was stated that the

Philippines is recognized as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Due to

its location, it is frequently impacted by various natural hazards, such as typhoons,

floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes, and droughts. Although the Philippine

government has developed coping mechanisms for disasters, numerous gaps remain in

disaster management capacities across different regions. Despite evidence that investment

in preparedness results in significant savings of lives and property, resources are still
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mostly allocated to disaster response. Therefore, this research seeks to address the gap in

knowledge regarding local disaster resilience and preparedness in the Philippines. It

provides a comprehensive overview of household measures of resilience and disaster

preparedness, which is the first nationwide survey of its kind. This study is particularly

significant as it comes at a time when disaster management requires more evidence-based

strategy and as the country discusses the centralization of disaster resilience efforts into a

single national agency. The study aims to identify current strengths and weaknesses in

household-level preparedness for disasters, and gaps wherein future preparedness

measures can be focused. The findings from this study may help drive innovative reforms

in disaster resilience policy and practice, particularly by providing insights into local

perspectives and their perceptions of disaster preparedness.

Effectiveness of the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees

Antonio, H.D. and Cuya-Antonio, O.C (2018), state that the Philippines is known to be

exposed to various natural hazards due to its geography and geology. With its location

along the Pacific Typhoon Belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is prone to

hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and

tsunamis. Specifically, the country experiences an average of 20 typhoons per year with

half of them causing significant damaging effects on life and property. This resulted in

the Philippine Disaster Management System shifting from reactive to pro-active, from

top-down to bottom-up, and a participatory disaster risk reduction process. This

paradigm shift is anchored on Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster
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Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010. The National DRRM Framework

and Plan were developed to attain safer and more disaster-resilient communities. The

four thematic areas: Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster

Response, and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery are devised with long-term goals to

lead to the attainment of the overall vision in DRRM. The Barangay Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) has been mandated to implement

RA 10121 as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs,

projects, and activities from the national down to the barangay level. This study aims to

assess the effectiveness of the implementation of RA 10121 through the Barangay

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee, which serves as the primary

DRRM mechanism at the grassroots level. With insights gained from this study,

suggestions can be provided to improve the implementation of RA 10121 and promote

safer and more resilient communities.

Learning for Disaster-Resilient Design

These recurring themes highlight the complex and multi-dimensional nature of teaching

disaster-resilient design. It is essential to critically reflect on the new normal of

designing for disasters and displacement and to develop a competency framework that

can guide curriculum development in this field. Designers must be mindful of the diverse

clients they serve, many of whom are marginalized and have few resources. They must

also be aware of the ethical and political dimensions of design, which requires a break

from traditional modernist practices.

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Teaching ethics in design education is crucial to developing socially engaged co-design

practices. It is also essential to integrate teaching and learning with research to produce

evidence-based practice. However, this presents pedagogical challenges, such as

integrating conceptual knowledge through field-based studies and simulations.

Integrating systems thinking and design thinking as pedagogical and professional tools

can help designers develop transferable 21st-century skills and predispositions suitable

for employability in the disaster and humanitarian fields. This is especially important for

working with vulnerable people living under hardship.

Overall, teaching disaster-resilient design requires a multi-faceted approach that

considers conceptual, ethical, and operational themes. It is essential to equip designers

with the skills and knowledge they need to create socially responsible designs that

address the needs of diverse clients in disaster and displacement contexts.

Disaster-resilient Architecture: How Architecture Can Reduce Risks

Yes, unconventional building designs such as curved facades or domes can indeed help mitigate

some risks of extreme weather. For example, these designs can reduce wind resistance and

uplift, which are major concerns in locations prone to hurricanes and wind-related disasters.

Symmetry and regular shape are also important considerations in disaster-resilient architecture

design. Asymmetrical or imbalanced shapes, such as T or U-shaped buildings or very long and

thin buildings, may increase the adverse effects of natural disasters. Additionally, irregular

shapes may be more difficult to reinforce or retrofit for disaster resilience.

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Overall, the key to disaster-resilient architecture design is to strike a balance between

aesthetics, functionality, and safety. Architects and designers must consider a wide range of

factors, including local climate and weather patterns, community needs and aspirations, and

available resources and technology, to create buildings that are both beautiful and resilient.

Matrix of Review of Related Literature

No. Title of the Author(s) Type of Significant Findings / Differences from

Material and Year Research Results this Research
Design

1 Perceptions Bollettino, Qualitative The research survey aims As one of the

Of Disaster V., Alcayna, to serve as an important world’s most
Resilience T., Enriquez, source of information for disaster-prone
And K., Vinck, P. the Philippines countries, the
Preparedness (2018) government, civil society, Philippines has
In The and the private sector considerable
Philippines involved in drafting experience
disaster resilience policies with and has
and plans. Being one of invested heavily in,
the most disaster- disaster
vulnerable countries in the preparedness
world, the results will help and response
us understand how capacity. Despite a
disasters impact the social large body of
and economic fabric of the research
country. The findings on disasters in the
emphasize the importance Philippines, there is
of education in disaster limited data
resilience and the lack of on household levels
resources to cover of preparedness for
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investments in disaster disaster. The

preparedness, which is not results of this survey
surprising given that begin to address this
nearly half of the gap and
population struggles to 25. UNISDR
meet basic needs. The terminology.
survey also revealed a contribute to the
significant gap in property evidence base on
insurance despite the high household levels
incidence of property of preparedness for
damage resulting from disaster.
disasters. The findings
indicate a need for greater
attention by the
government and the
private sector
2 Effectiveness Antonio, Qualitative The research findings Measure the
of the H.D. and and indicate that barangays organizational
Barangay Cuya- Quantitative that do not conduct risk effectiveness
Disaster Risk Antonio, O.C assessment activities only
Reduction (2018) rely on their budgets, and of the BDRRMCs of
and they do not seek out the flood-prone
Management funding from financial barangays in
Committees institutions. The study also Cabanatuan City
(BDRRMCs) in shows that while early based on
Flood-Prone warning systems and risk Disaster Prevention
Barangays in assessment activities are and Mitigation,
Cabanatuan in place in all barangays, Disaster
City, they do not have a clear Preparedness,
Philippines understanding that these Disaster Response,
are already part of their and Disaster
routine activities. Rehabilitation and
Therefore, the policies Recovery.
given to them need to be
clear and specific to
enable the grassroots level
to understand and identify
the provisions of the law.
Disaster mitigation, which
refers to the lessening or
limitation of the adverse
impacts of hazards and
related disasters, includes
the enactment and
implementation of policies
as the backbone of
disaster management. This
thematic area focuses on
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long-term impactful
activities to prevent and
lessen the impact of
disasters in the
community. However,
effective policy
implementation requires
people's participation and
a sense of ownership of
local legislation to provide
an enabling environment.