HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Legazpi City is a first-class component city in the province of Albay, located in the Bicol
Region of the Philippines. It is the capital city of Albay province in the Philippines, located on the
eastern coast of Luzon island. The city is known for its stunning views of the Mayon Volcano and
its rich cultural heritage dating back to the pre-colonial era, but its urban development started
during the Spanish colonial period.

During the Spanish era, Legazpi City was a small town known as "Sawangan" and was
primarily a trading center. However, the town's name was changed to Legazpi in honor of the
Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, who founded the first Spanish settlement in the
Philippines in Cebu in 1565.The city's urban development began in earnest during the American
colonial period, when the Americans established a military base in the area. This led to the
construction of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects, which facilitated the growth of
the city. During this time, Legazpi also became a major center for agriculture, commerce, and
education.

In the post-World War II era, Legazpi City continued to grow rapidly, with the construction
of new government buildings, schools, hospitals, and other public facilities. The city also saw the
establishment of various industries, such as textiles, food processing, and furniture-making. This
led to an influx of migrants from other parts of the country, further contributing to the city's
growth and development. Today, Legazpi City is a bustling urban center with a population of
over 200,000 people. It is known for its beautiful natural scenery, including the iconic Mayon
Volcano, which is a popular tourist destination. The city continues to undergo rapid urbanization,
with the construction of new residential and commercial buildings, as well as the development
of new industries and services.

Some notable landmarks in Legazpi City that showcase its history and urban layout include:

Cagsawa Ruins - the ruins of the Cagsawa Church, which was destroyed during the eruption
of Mayon Volcano in 1814. It serves as a reminder of the city's vulnerability to natural disasters
and its resilience in the face of adversity.

Albay Park and Wildlife - a popular park that features a zoological and botanical garden. It
was developed in the 1950s as a recreational space for the city's residents.

Legazpi City Hall - the seat of government for the city. The building's neoclassical
architecture reflects the city's history of colonialism and its adoption of Western architectural
styles.

Legazpi Boulevard - a waterfront promenade that offers stunning views of Mayon Volcano
and the Albay Gulf. It was developed in the 1990s as part of the city's efforts to promote tourism
and economic development.

Embarcadero de Legazpi - a modern commercial center located on the waterfront. It

features a mall, restaurants, and other amenities, and serves as a hub of economic activity in the
city.

GEOMETRIC PATTERN OF THE BUILT UP AREA

The urban design of Legazpi City reflects the city's rich heritage. The Bicolanos lived in the
region where Legazpi City presently stands before the Spanish invaders arrived. In addition to
farming and fishing, they lived in sparse, tiny settlements. Their towns were frequently located
close to water, such as rivers and bays. They were arranged into tiny settlements called
barangays, which were typically situated close to water or productive terrain. Little, tightly
packed towns surrounded by farmland were typical of the urban design during this time.
 When the Spaniards arrived, they founded the town of Legazpi in 1573 and imposed their
own urban design scheme. A central plaza or town square, which was flanked by significant
governmental structures like the church, municipal hall, and governor's mansion, was the
defining feature of Spanish colonial urban planning. The town's main attraction was often the
church, with social and religious gatherings taking place on the square.
During the 1901 American occupation, Legazpi was granted city charter status in 1959. The
city saw tremendous growth and industrialization during this time. The Americans changed the
city's landscape by introducing new technology and infrastructure, including as electricity, roads,
and bridges. A few of the city's historic structures, such the Bicolandia Hotel, may be considered
as examples of new architectural forms they established, including Art Deco.
Throughout the latter decades of the 20th century, Legazpi City saw tremendous
urbanization and growth, resulting in a more contemporary urban design. The geometric pattern
of the built-up area of Legazpi City appears to be a mix of grid-like and organic patterns. In the
central business district and surrounding areas, a grid-like pattern can be observed with straight
roads intersecting at right angles, creating rectangular blocks. This pattern is common in urban
areas with planned layouts. In other parts of the city, especially the residential areas, a more
organic pattern can be observed. The roads tend to be curved and irregular, and the blocks are
irregular in shape and size. This pattern is typical of areas that have developed more organically
over time without a planned layout. Overall, the geometric pattern of the built-up area of
Legazpi City is a mix of planned and organic development, reflecting the city's growth over time.

EXISTING CONDITIONS OF WATERSHEDS IN THE CITY

According to the city’s land-use plan, the development of the Tibu, Macabalo, Ruran,
Sagumayon, Sagumayon after Ruran, and Panal rivers is essentially what the current urban
drainage entails, and it involves building infra-structures like a new dike, increasing dike height,
and enlarging river channels. It also includes pump drainage through the construction of 4 units
of pump stations at Tibu river and 2 units at Macabalo river, construction of floodgates (5 in Tibu
and 3 in Macabalo) and the establishment of two retention ponds, one each for Tibu and
Macabalo rivers. Flood control projects as integral part of the master urban drainage plan
focuses on the improvement of the Yawa River system along Pawa-Burabod section, and Budiao-
Anoling portion in Daraga, Albay, the Arimbay River System and Padang River System.

In addition, according to the Albay Provincial Government's website, Legazpi City is home to
various watersheds that are essential for delivering water for household, agricultural, and
industrial uses. The Banadero Watershed, which has a surface area of 319 hectares and provides
the majority of the city's people with drinkable water, is one of the major watersheds in Legazpi
City. Moreover, irrigation systems for farming operations in adjacent towns are supported by the
Banadero Watershed. Another significant watershed is the Pawa River Watershed, which covers
3,146 hectares and supplies water to several irrigation systems as well as power generation for
the city's hydroelectric plant. Many types of flora and wildlife depend on the Pawa River
Watershed as a critical ecosystem.
Regardless of the significance of these watersheds, they encounter a number of
environmental problems, such as pollution, land use change, and deforestation. These elements
may have a detrimental effect on the amount and quality of water in the watersheds, which may
influence the community's access to clean and safe water. Moreover, the watersheds are
vulnerable to flooding, especially during typhoons and periods of severe rainfall. Flooding may
seriously harm property and infrastructure, interfere with business operations, and endanger
public safety. In recent years, a number of efforts, including wastewater treatment facilities,
riverbank rehabilitation, and community-based programs, have been launched to address the
environmental problems that the city's rivers are currently confronting. These initiatives seek to
strengthen community resilience to natural catastrophes, promote sustainable development,
and strengthen the health of river ecosystems.
S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

 Northern areas of the city are low in elevation making it susceptible to flooding, storm-
surges and sea level rising.
 There are some potential areas where lahar might flow or will be deposited.

 REFERENCES:
Official list of classified water bodies: EMB R5: Environmental Management Bureau Region V.
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https://r5.emb.gov.ph/amtss-database/official-list-of-classified-water-bodies/
Dy, C. (2016, June 24). Legazpi City Community Architecture and Research Design. Scribd.
Retrieved March 11, 2023, from https://www.scribd.com/document/330931514/Brief-History-of-
Legazpi-City#
History of Legazpi City. Legazpi City. (n.d.). Retrieved March 11, 2023, from
https://legazpi.gov.ph/about-us/
Legazpi City History - culture - languages. Legazpi City | Legazpi City History - Directory - Tourist
Destinations. (2018, June 1). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://philippinescities.com/legazpi-
city/
Water Quality Management Section | http://water.emb.gov.ph/wp-content ... Region 5, List of
Waterbodies. (2016, November). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://water.emb.gov.ph/
Legazpi City: The Philippines' next real estate investment hotspot ... (2022, October 5). Retrieved
March 19, 2023, from https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/legazpi-city-the-
philippines-next-real-estate-investment-hotspot/
History of Legazpi City. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2023, from
http://www.geocities.ws/legazpi1959/history.html
IMAGE REFERENCES:
https://www.seroundtable.com/google-maps-new-design-24779.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marbleplaty/5899687009/
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Legazpi_City_Hall_in_Albay.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a4/c0/ce/a4c0ced23a04fe4cd56bf078f9ed9316.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/digishooter/3979771692/