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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

Nature and city in sync: a study on the carbon sequestration

potential of urban trees in a brownfield redevelopment in
FTI Complex, Taguig City, Philippines

J P M Guzman1 and N L Navarra2

1
M. Tropical Landscape Architecture Student, College of Architecture,
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
2
D. Eng., Faculty, College of Architecture,
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

E-mail: 1 jmguzman1@up.edu.ph 2 nlnavarra@up.edu.ph

Abstract. Redevelopment of brownfields, such as former industrial sites, has the potential to
adopt sustainable development strategies while retaining its cultural significance and adjunct
with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable cities and communities. Increasing
the carbon sequestration effect is one of the many ecosystem services provided by integrating
trees acclimatized to urban environments. The study aims to determine how much total carbon
sequestration potential can be achieved by the existing and newly-introduced trees in a
brownfield redevelopment in FTI Complex, Taguig City, Philippines. It is a 74-hectare property,
formerly an industrial food processing facility, turned into a mixed-use development. A tree
inventory was created by mapping the existing trees pre-development, the lost trees due to land
preparation, and the newly-introduced trees. The biomass values were assumed for one tree
species, and the data resulted in a net gain corresponding to a 1,002% increase in carbon
sequestration potential in a 50-year period. While still an ongoing development, trees take time
to mature and there is a need to address carbon emissions before the trees reach their optimum
carbon sequestration potential. Upon maturity, they will contribute to further improving the site’s
ecosystem services, thereby making the former brownfield a sustainable development.

1. Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
Urban land has increasingly become more valuable in a mega city like Metro Manila. Generally, people
would prefer living close to the capital city due to the availability of opportunities, goods, and services
[11]. This poses a threat to pristine agricultural land since human settlements expand to the fringes of
the city, thus paving the way for the development of residential subdivisions [4].

Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution
of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

To increase urban development efficiency and building density, the government and private sector
can look into redeveloping brownfield sites. According to De Sousa [3], ‘brownfields’ are “abandoned,
idle or underused commercial or industrial sites where previous activities have caused environmental
contamination, but where there is an active potential for redevelopment.”
This could be an opportunity and a viable solution to protect agricultural land and a strategy for
preventing urban sprawl [4]. Redevelopment of brownfields, such as former industrial sites, has the
potential to adopt sustainable development strategies while retaining its cultural significance [1].

1.2. Research Objectives

The study generally aims to look into how much value the trees have in the enhancement of ecosystem
services as part of a sustainable brownfield redevelopment. It aims to determine how much total carbon
sequestration potential can be achieved by the existing and newly-introduced trees. This study also
intends to determine if introduced trees can offset the lost trees to restore the carbon sequestration effect
they initially provide. Finally, it aims to generate basic numerical data based on assumptions on carbon
sequestration calculations.

1.3. Significance of the Research

This study looks into the carbon sequestration of trees as a nature-based solution and as an enhancement
of ecosystem services for a sustainable brownfield redevelopment. Planting a significant number of trees
in urban areas creates a secondary forest-like environment. According to the study by Paniagua-
Ramirez, Krupinska, Jagdeo, & Cooper [13], these secondary forests “have great potential to sequester
carbon through tree growth, as they gain biomass more rapidly than older primary forests.” Likewise, in
the study of Jo, Park, Koo, Roh, Lim & Youn [7], they enumerated several ecosystem services provided
by urban forests, such as “enhancement of biodiversity, preventing urban heat island effect, improving
air quality, sequestering carbon, and providing economic value.”
Moreover, tree planting has become part of the global thrust on reducing the effects of climate change
due to greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. According to Leung, Tsui, Chen, Yip,
Vrijmoed, & Liu [9] , “trees can act as sinks for excess CO2 in the atmosphere.” Trees naturally
absorb carbon dioxide as part of their photosynthetic process and store them inside the tree’s biomass
[8]. As some brownfields have the presence of soil contamination and pollution, trees can aid in soil
phytoremediation as well. Phytoremediation is also a nature-based solution in helping clean the
contaminated soil through biological processes that occur in the root zone or the “rhizosphere” [12].
Not only do trees have physical and aesthetic qualities, but they also affect our well-being. This is in
conjunction with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) number 11: creating
“Sustainable Cities and Communities,” new developments are encouraged to attain targets such as
improving air quality and increasing open space available for public use [15]. Thus, integrating trees in
brownfield redevelopments aids in achieving these goals for a sustainable future and better quality of life.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Site Profile

The site under study is the 74-hectare lot – a parcel of the former 103-hectare agro-industrial estate Food
Terminal Inc (FTI) Complex, Western Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines (14° 30' 16.2'' N, 121° 2' 45.24''
E). It is bounded by Rambutan Rd. and Veterans Rd. on the north, Langka Rd. and Mayor Tanyang Ave.
on the east, Cucumber Rd. and Sync St. on the south, and East Service Rd. and South Luzon Expressway

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

Figure 1. Aerial Photo of the Old Figure 2. Arca South Master Plan. [2]
Food Terminal, Inc. Complex. [5]

MAY 2022

Figure 3. FTI satellite images to show the development transition.

Source: Google Earth Pro Timelapse

(SLEX) on the southwest. Topography is relatively flat, with some portions having wild vegetation. No
water bodies are found within the site. The site is in an urban setting, with paved roads, sidewalks, and
industrial buildings. Residential subdivisions, tenement housing, and informal settlements surround the
periphery of the site. As of this writing, most of the land is still vacant, with ongoing construction
activities on the central spine.
The site was formerly an industrial food processing facility from the 1970s to 1980s and a major hub
for agricultural trade in Manila (Figure 1). Commodities, electronics, and textile industries were also
hosted, besides food and agriculture. Other available lands were leased out to similar industries [5].

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

Privatization of FTI was part of the government’s efforts to raise funds for an economic recovery
program in the late 1980s [14]. However, it was until August 2012 that the government bid out the 74
hectares, and the country’s top real estate developers participated. Funds collected were used for the
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and projects of the Department of Agriculture. It was Ayala
Land that won the bid by a large margin [10].
The redevelopment, named “Arca South,” is envisioned to be a new central business district in the
southern portion of Metro Manila (Figure 2). It is now being transformed into a mixed-use development
and a land transportation hub directly connected to the metro’s major thoroughfares. It employs the best
urban design practices, with “60% of the district surrounded in greenery, interspersed with refreshing
streetscapes, pathways, and multi-use public spaces” [2], which is in sync with the principles of
sustainable brownfield redevelopment. Figure 3 shows the development’s transition from industrial to
mixed-use development.

2.2. Mapping of Tree Inventory

To determine the site’s potential for carbon sequestration, a tree inventory was created by mapping out
the trees in the site in three different phases: (1) existing trees before redevelopment, (2) determining
the lost trees due to land preparation, then (3) the newly-introduced trees after redevelopment plus the
remaining existing trees. Mapping was done using the satellite image captured from Google Earth Pro
and was used as the base plan for plotting trees individually using AutoCAD software.

2.2.1. Phase 1 - Existing trees before redevelopment. For Phase 1, the satellite image reference was
taken from the most recent timestamp after Ayala Land acquired the lot on August 2012. The most recent
timestamp available on Google Earth Pro was taken on April 30, 2013 (Figure 4). In mapping the trees,
those with a visible canopy spread were represented by one tree symbol and colored blue. Likewise, a
cluster of small trees was considered as one and represented by the same symbol (Figure 5).

2.2.2. Phase 2 - Lost trees due to land preparation. For Phase 2, Ayala Land’s masterplan (Figure 2)
for the redevelopment was overlaid in the existing configuration. It was assumed that the subdivided
lots designated for private development would be cleared off to maximize the Allowable Maximum
Building Footprint (AMBF) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) per regulations in the National Building Code
of the Philippines. Although it is encouraged to retain the existing trees found within the site, their exact
location may not be guaranteed, or if design intent for the lot may be restricted. The assumed lost trees
were represented by the same tree symbol and colored red (Figure 6).

Figure 4. FTI satellite image captured on April 30, 2013.

Source: Google Earth Pro Timelapse

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

2.2.3. Phase 3 - Newly-introduced trees after redevelopment. Finally, for Phase 3, new trees were
introduced in the development as part of its urban design and master plan. They were laid out with the
following assumptions: (1) trees located on the Arca Blvd. center island were spaced at 20m on-center
to consider the placement of lamp posts; (2) trees located on the Arca Blvd. sidewalk were spaced at
10m on-center; (3) trees located on the other minor roads were spaced at 6m on-center; and (4) trees
located on the central park and pedestrian strip were distributed with a spacing of 10m on-center. These
spacing values take into account the projected tree canopy growth to provide a pleasant walking
environment, as well as to accommodate different activities on the ground plane. Table 1 summarizes
the spacing assumptions for new trees. The new trees were represented by the same tree symbol and
colored green (Figure 7). The existing trees and new trees were both counted in this phase, so the net
loss or net gain can be determined.

Table 1. Assumed tree spacing per location.

Location Tree Spacing
(on-center)
Arca Boulevard center island 20m
Arca Boulevard sidewalks 10m
Minor Roads 6m
Central Park and Pedestrian Strip 10m

Figure 5. Tree inventory for Phase 1: Existing trees before redevelopment.

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

Figure 6. Tree inventory for Phase 2: Lost trees due to land preparation.

Figure 7. Tree inventory for Phase 3: Newly-introduced trees after redevelopment.

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

2.3. Carbon Sequestration Calculation

A simple equation for calculating how much carbon can be stored by a tree was adopted from Fransen’s
article [6], retrieved from the University of New Mexico’s online database. The calculation procedure
is outlined as follows:

Step 1: Determine the total green weight of the tree.

Wabove-ground (pounds):
Wabove-ground = 0.25 D2 H (for trees with D<11) (1a)
Wabove-ground = 0.15 D2 H (for trees with D>11) (1b)
Add 20% for the root system weight
Wtotal green weight = 1.2 * Wabove-ground (2)
where: D = Diameter of the trunk (inches)
H = Height of the tree (feet)

Step 2: Determine the dry weight of the tree. The average tree is 72.5% dry matter and 27.5%
moisture. Multiply by 0.725 to get the dry weight of the tree.

Wdry weight = 0.725 * Wtotal green weight (3)

Step 3: Determine the weight of carbon in the tree. The average weight of carbon is generally
measured as 50% of the dry weight of the tree. Multiply by 0.5 to get the weight of carbon in the tree.

Wcarbon = 0.5 * Wdry weight (4)

Step 4: Determine the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree.

x CO2 is composed of one molecule of Carbon and 2 molecules of Oxygen.
x The atomic weight of Carbon is 12.001115.
x The atomic weight of Oxygen is 15.9994.
x The weight of CO2 is C+2*O=43.999915.
x The ratio of CO2 to C is 43.999915/12.001115=3.6663.
Multiply by 3.67 (rounded up) to get the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree.

Wcarbon-dioxide = 3.67 * Wcarbon (5)

Step 5: Determine the weight of CO2 sequestered in the tree per year. Divide the weight of carbon
dioxide sequestered in the tree by the age of the tree.

CO2 seq = Wcarbon-dioxide / age of tree (years) (6)

In determining measurement for the trees, it was assumed that the development would use one
tree species for simplicity of the computations. Table 2 summarizes the preceding equations to obtain
a typical carbon sequestration value (CO2 seq) in pounds. To calculate the potential for carbon
sequestration, substitute the future age of the tree in equation (6). In this case, 50 years was the age used.
Applying the tree measurements to the equations will give a general idea of how much carbon can
be sequestered by the whole development in the three phases. To determine Net Gain or Loss, subtract
‘Lost’ trees from ‘Existing’ trees, then add the ‘New’ trees.

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

Table 2. Carbon sequestration calculations with assumptions for one

tree species.

Equation Formula and Solution

Number (assumptions for one tree species)
(1b) Let: D (diameter) = 20 in (0.5m)
H (height) = 40 ft (12m)
Wabove-ground = 0.15 D2 H (for trees with D>11)
Wabove-ground = 0.15 (20)2 40
Wabove-ground = 2,400 lbs
(2) Wtotal green weight = 1.2 * Wabove-ground
Wtotal green weight = 1.2 * 2,400
Wtotal green weight = 2,880 lbs
(3) Wdry weight = 0.725 * Wtotal green weight
Wdry weight = 0.725 * 2,880
Wdry weight = 2,088 lbs
(4) Wcarbon = 0.5 * Wdry weight
Wcarbon = 0.5 * 2,088
Wcarbon = 1,044 lbs
(5) Wcarbon-dioxide = 3.67 * Wcarbon
Wcarbon-dioxide = 3.67 * 1,044
Wcarbon-dioxide = 3,831.48 lbs
(6) CO2 seq = Wcarbon-dioxide / age of tree (50 years)
CO2 seq = 3,831.48 / 50
CO2 seq = 76.63 lbs CO2/year (34.76 kg CO2/year)

3. Results and Discussion

From the result of the carbon sequestration calculation shown in Table 3, a value of 34.76kg CO 2/year
was obtained and used as the multiplier. For Phase 1, the existing development had a total number of
925 trees, equivalent to 32,153kg CO2/year. During Phase 2, the 760 trees lost corresponds to 26,418kg
CO2/year or a 21.71% decrease in the number of trees, and 165 trees remain. Then in Phase 3, 1,653 new
trees were introduced, which is equivalent to 57,458kg CO2/year. The data resulted in a net gain of
63,194kg CO2/year, which corresponds to a 1,002% increase in carbon sequestration potential from the
remaining trees in a 50-year period.

Table 3. Results of carbon sequestration calculations showing net gain or loss.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Net Gain or
Existing Lost New (Loss)
Number of Trees 925 (760) 1,653 1,818

CO2 seq Potential/year 32,153 kg (26,418) kg 57,458 kg 63,194 kg

(in a 50-year period)

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ISTAKCOS-2022 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1220 (2023) 012038 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1220/1/012038

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

Through the computations, it is highly likely that the Arca South brownfield redevelopment has the
potential to sequester more carbon due to the introduced trees resulting in a net gain based on assumed
parameters.
Recommendations for better accuracy of computations are considering an arborist to assess the
conditions of the tree and whether it would be significant to be considered. Also, although tedious, it is
best to get the actual biomass per existing tree on site and determine the exact tree species to be planted
for Phase 3, including the shrubs and groundcovers as well. Higher carbon sequestration values could
also be obtained in including the landscape areas on the podium or roof deck amenities that will add to
the collective carbon sequestration values for the entire lot.
While still an ongoing development, trees take time to reach their maturity. There is a need to address
carbon emissions before the newly-introduced trees reach their optimum carbon sequestration potential.
Upon maturity, they will contribute to further improving the site’s ecosystem services, thereby making
the former brownfield a sustainable development.

Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their sincere gratitude to the research associates of the UP College of
Architecture Research Program for their support, as well as to the classmates of the first author in Archi
211 class for their moral support, and to his colleagues in Visionarch for the assistance in preparing the
base plans and proofreading. Your help was truly invaluable and greatly appreciated.

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