ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

900 SAN MARCELINO STREET

ERMITA, METRO MANILA

URBAN BLIGHT RELATED STRUCTURES

Local and International

Tejada, Maro T.

BS Architecture

Professor: Ar. Vanessa Barcelona

Planning 2 - Section 40200 M.W.F
15:00 - 16:00 R.M. 401
A. LOCAL URBAN BLIGHT STRUCTURES:

1.) CLARK AIR BASE HOSPITAL (Angeles City, Pampanga)

Located in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines, Clark Air Base Hospital was a
vital component of the U.S. military installation that played a pivotal role in both World
War II and the Vietnam War. Due to Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991, the base was
evacuated and abandoned. Ashfall and lahar floods caused significant damage to the
hospital and other infrastructure. With significant damage and logistical difficulties in
the aftermath, the US military made the decision to close Clark Air Base. The base
was turned over to the Philippine government, signaling the end of an era. The
former base was partially restored, but other buildings, including the hospital, were
left unoccupied.

2.) FANTASY WORLD (Lemery, Batangas)

Originally designed to be the Philippines' version of Disney World, Fantasy World is

an abandoned theme park located in Lemery, Batangas. The park received approval
from the Department of Tourism and was planned to compete with international
leisure areas. However, because of the owner's health and financial difficulties, it was
 never completely functioning. When the funding ran out, the project was abandoned
and left incomplete. After being purchased by new owners in 2010, the park was
solely available for picture shoots. The park's incomplete Bavarian-style castle still
exists and provides views of Taal Volcano. Due to money issues, it is closed till
further notice.

3.) PACO TRAIN STATION (Paco, Manila)

The Paco Train Station in Manila, Philippines, is a historic railway facility dating
back to the American colonial period in the early 20th century. Initially a crucial
transportation hub connecting Manila to southern provinces, the station witnessed a
decline in significance due to the expansion of road networks and changing
transportation preferences. Factors such as maintenance issues, evolving
infrastructure, and shifting commuter patterns contributed to its abandonment.
Despite occasional efforts to revive or repurpose old train stations in the Philippines,
as of January 2022, the Paco Train Station remained in a state of disuse and neglect.
Current information on its status or any redevelopment plans should be verified by
local sources for the latest updates.
B. INTERNATIONAL URBAN BLIGHT STRUCTURES:

4.) BOKOR HILL STATION (Kampot, Cambodia)

Bokor Hill Station, established in the 1920s during the French colonial period near
Kampot, Cambodia, served as a retreat for the French elite. Featuring a casino,
church, royal residence, and accommodations, its history is marked by abandonment
and redevelopment amid Cambodia's political upheavals. The Khmer Rouge regime
in the 1970s led to significant damage and repurposing of structures during the
Cambodian Civil War. Post-Khmer Rouge, Bokor remained largely abandoned,
experiencing neglect. Recent efforts have focused on tourism redevelopment and
restoring historical structures, yet the site's history is characterized by periods of
abandonment linked to political instability and conflict in Cambodia.

5.) SANZHI UFO HOUSES (Taiwan)

The Sanzhi UFO Houses in New Taipei City, Taiwan, built in the late 1970s as a
futuristic vacation resort, faced financial difficulties, accidents, and controversies
during construction. The project, featuring distinctive pod-shaped structures, was
never completed due to economic troubles, construction setbacks, and negative
public perception fueled by reported accidents, including fatalities. These challenges
 led to the abandonment of the Sanzhi UFO Houses. Efforts to revive or repurpose
the site proved unsuccessful, resulting in the demolition of the structures in the early
2000s. The Sanzhi UFO Houses stand as a symbol of a failed futuristic vision,
marked by insurmountable challenges and ultimate abandonment.

6.) MIMALAND (Malaysia)

Mimaland, a theme park in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia, opened in 1971, offering a

range of recreational activities. Despite initial popularity, the park encountered
challenges, including mismanagement, financial difficulties, and safety concerns,
leading to its closure in 1994. Efforts to revive or repurpose the area have been
discussed, but as of January 2022, Mimaland remained abandoned. The site serves
as a reminder of a once-vibrant destination that succumbed to issues of
management, finance, and safety. For the latest information, consult local sources or
news reports.
Reference

Traveloka PH. (2018). 10 Abandoned Places in the Philippines & in Asia that You Should
Explore. Traveloka. https://www.traveloka.com/en-ph/explore/tips/features-abandoned-
places-asia/63980