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Pilot Affordable Housing to rise in New Clark City

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New Clark City will be the pilot area for what could be the game-changer in terms of design, concept, and cost in affordable housing in the country.

In a recent webinar attended by more than 40 participants from public and private corporations, developers, banks and financial institutions, the BCDA, in partnership with United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO), unveiled the design and concept for affordable housing that are anchored on the following principles: affordability, mobility, safety and security, economic resilience, healthy design, community and inclusivity, climate and environmental, and accessibility.

BCDA Senior Vice President Engr. Joshua Bingcang and the Delivery Team of the Global Future Cities Programme led by Royston Brockman (Director of Tripleline Consulting in UK), Marie Stephanie Tan-Hamed (Partner in SGV/EY Philippines), and Ian Simpson (Director of Broadway Malyan) discussed the overall masterplan, detailed forecast on housing demand and supply, and the financial aspects of the project.

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Philippine Science High School campus to rise in New Clark City

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The Philippine Science High School (PSHS), in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), is constructing a 4.6-hectare learning site in New Clark City, Tarlac, which will serve as a campus for its senior high school students and a resource center for teachers and professionals.

Dubbed as the “Infinitum”, the new site of the country’s premier science high school is envisioned to become the “center for learning and service continuity for the entire PSHS System.”

The master plan for the campus was approved in August by the BCDA Board of Directors.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon said the establishment of the new PSHS campus in New Clark City would contribute to the development and training of teachers and future science and technology professionals in the country.

“We hope that with the new PSHS campus, we will be able to give more opportunities for quality education to deserving Filipino students, especially in Central and Northern Luzon. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the valuable contribution of science and technology in our society. We will also be able to build our pool of researchers and professionals who would help us prevent other pandemics in the future,” Dizon said.

He added: “It is also crucial, now more than ever, to invest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to stop climate change and provide scientific and technological solutions to issues plaguing our society.”

The PSHS System is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It prepares students for careers in Science and Technology and contributes to nation-building by helping the country attain a critical mass of professionals and leaders in the science and technology field.

On April 16, 2016, the BCDA and PSHS signed a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a campus for senior high school students, as well as a learning resource center for teachers, administrative support, and other professionals within New Clark City.

The new campus will supplement PSHS’ modernization efforts by establishing state-of-the-art facilities, advanced laboratories, academic spaces, training venues, and living quarters. It seeks not only to spur immersive learning for students but also to continue the development of teaching and non-teaching employees.

It will also accommodate the increasing student and employee population in PSHS’ existing campus at the Clark Freeport Zone.

Under the approved master plan, 80 percent of the total campus area will be open space while only 20 percent will be occupied.

The new campus will have facilities for traditional and alternative learning, as well as indoor and outdoor set-ups showcasing the latest technological innovations. The campus will feature a training center, a technology hub, research center, innovation center, multipurpose academic building, administration building, a summer camp area, and dormitories, which will be constructed in phases.

The procurement for the detailed architectural and engineering design for the Training Center is ongoing. It is targeted to be completed by 2022.

Photo courtesy of Philippine Science High School

Two BCDA projects that showcase majestic nature of Central Luzon are on global design stage

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Inspired by the natural beauty and key features of Central Luzon, the new Clark International Airport (CRK) terminal in Pampanga and the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac are both in the running for prestigious global design awards.

The new CRK airport terminal is one of six airport finalists at the 2021 Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award, while the New Clark City Athletics Stadium has been shortlisted among the world’s best completed buildings at the World Architecture Festival.

UNESCO’s Prix Versailles recognizes architecture that fosters a better interaction between economy and culture, and includes a range of categories from airports to shopping malls. Other finalists in the airport category are New York’s LaGuardia airport, Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt, Greece’s Athens International Airport (South Wing), Kazakhstan’s Hazrat Sultan International Airport, and New Zealand’s New Plymouth Airport.

For its part, the Lisbon-based World Architecture Festival is one of the world’s largest architectural events, highlighted by its awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing international excellence in architecture. Other finalists under the sport category are Japan’s Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Australia’s Ken Rosewall Arena Redevelopment and Rod Laver Arena, USA’s Carolina Panthers Training Facility, Norway’s Bølgen Bath and Leisure Centre, as well as the United Arab Emirates’ Al Janoub Stadium.

Just a few of the elements infused in the design of the new gateway are the silhouettes and lines of Mount Arayat and the Zambales mountains. The crater of Mount Pinatubo, meanwhile, stands proud in the design of the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

“These global recognitions mark a milestone in modern Filipino architecture and design, reflecting local heritage and talent,” said Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon. “We in government are very proud that the beauty of the Philippines, particularly of Central Luzon, will be discussed and highlighted on the international stage because of these architectural masterpieces. To the thousands of Filipino workers, from masons to designers, engineers and architects, involved in the Athletics Stadium and the new Clark terminal, our sincerest gratitude to all of you.”

Silhouetting majestic nature

 

CRK is the only airport in Southeast Asia to be included in the 2021 Prix Versailles World Architecture and Design Award. This is also the first time a Philippine airport has made it to the Prix Versailles list.

BCDA and the Department of Transportation are the implementing agencies of the CRK New Passenger Terminal Building. The structure of the new CRK terminal was built by the consortium of Megawide Construction Corporation and GMR Infrastructure, with Budji+Royal Architecture+Design as the architect. Meanwhile, the operations and maintenance of CRK are being overseen by Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD), a consortium of Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings, Changi Airports Philippines and Philippine Airport Ground Solutions. LIPAD appointed Populous and Casas+Architects for the gateway’s fit-out and interior design.

CRK passengers and visitors will be greeted with the view of Sacobia mountain ranges in the west, and Mount Arayat towards the east. “Passenger experience was at the heart of this design,” said Populous Principal Architect Ben Dawson.
“We brought our world-leading experience in aviation design to create a space that is international in its standards for passengers while delivering a strong sense of place and cultural heritage for Filipinos,” Dawson added.

Accents of green and blue at CRK not just emulate the greenery and the landscape of Central Luzon, but also serve as an intuitive reference point for passengers and visitors. The green represents the landscape of Mount Arayat, which faces the domestic boarding gates, while blue refers to the waters of Manila Bay, which faces the international boarding gates.

The inspiration behind the design of the new CRK terminal is the melding of Central Luzon’s natural and cultural heritage, which is manifested in the play of shapes, textures, and forms in its facilities.

“Nature was a major source of CRK’s inspiration during its conception as it presents, with emphasis, our identity as Filipinos. The silhouette and its permeable character highlight its environment and people. Its majesty is not about standing out amidst what is around it but rather it is about taking part in the grand orchestra of the place,” said Royal Pineda, principal architect of Budji+Royal.

Equipped with contactless bag drops, check-in counters, and an ordering system, the new CRK terminal will be able to serve up to 8 million passengers annually. Once its doors open by the end of 2021, CRK passengers and visitors will also enjoy other inclusive features like a transit lounge for overseas Filipino workers and a separate exclusive lounge for soldiers and police officers.

The new CRK terminal is the first hybrid public-private partnership project that was planned, constructed and completed–from start to finish–under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.

Embodying Filipino spirit

 

With a 20,000-seating capacity, a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track, the New Clark City Athletics Stadium served as a venue for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. BCDA tapped Budji+Royal to be its architectural partner for the stadium.

“​​To have this opportunity to share the New Clark City Athletics Stadium’s authentic nature and identity with our colleagues and an international audience makes me really very happy and proud. That was the objective anyway – to present our variety as modern Filipinos through architecture and design,” said Pineda, noting that the design celebrates Mount Pinatubo and Filipino resilience.

Aside from the crater of Mount Pinatubo, the stadium’s design also drew inspiration from the contours of the Sierra Madre ranges and the festive details of the parols of Pampanga.

New Clark City Athletics Stadium is the first major sports hub constructed by the government since the completion of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 1934. It is also the first-ever facility in the country to receive a Class 1 certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The facility’s design was ably executed by MTD Philippines, BCDA’s development partner in New Clark City.

New Clark City Athletics Stadium shortlisted in World Architecture Festival

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The Athletics Stadium at New Clark City in Tarlac, a centerpiece facility of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019, has been shortlisted by the World Architecture Festival as among the best completed buildings across the globe.

The facility was nominated for the Sport-Completed Buildings category in the prestigious festival, which is set to take place at the FIL Exhibition Center in Lisbon, Portugal from December 1 to 3.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon welcomed the recognition and congratulated Budji+Royal Architecture+Design, the architectural partner for the stadium, as well as the thousands of workers who made the Athletics Stadium a reality.

“We thank the World Architecture Festival for giving its nod to the New Clark City Athletics Stadium. It is another testament to the ingenuity of the stadium’s design and structure. Indeed, this is more proof that Filipinos can also be champions in producing outstanding facilities that are on par with other architectural masterpieces in the world,” Dizon said.

“This would not have been possible without the hard work of all the workers who completed this facility within a short period of 18 months. To our partners in Budji+Royal Architecture+Design, thank you for designing a structure that best showcases the beauty of the Filipino spirit to the rest of the globe,” he added.

Royal Pineda, principal architect and CEO of Budji+Royal, said, “To have this opportunity to share the New Clark City Athletics Stadium’s authentic nature and identity with our colleagues and an international audience makes me really very happy and proud. That was the objective anyway–to present our variety as modern Filipinos through architecture and design.”

The architect also expressed appreciation for the smooth collaboration with BCDA on the project, given the two organizations’ shared vision of a modern Philippines.

“We were on the same creative wavelength. Given critical deadlines, BCDA’s leadership was a key element. It allowed things to move with precision, which ensured timely and quality turnover, setting new government standards,” he said.

The facility’s design was ably executed by MTD Philippines Inc., BCDA’s development partner in New Clark City.

New Clark City Athletics Stadium is the first major sports hub constructed by the government since the completion of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in 1934.

It is also the first-ever facility in the country to receive a Class 1 certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

With a 20,000-seating capacity, a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and another four-lane warm-up track, the stadium served as a venue for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.  It was previously nominated as one of the top 10 best stadiums in the world at the annual Stadium of the Year Awards.

“The Athletics Stadium’s design was inspired by its genius loci [or the pervading spirit of a place]. It celebrates Mt. Pinatubo and Filipino resilience. The location is surrounded by beautiful mountains and a boundless horizon, which allowed the architecture to stand out and frame the natural views,” Pineda said.

Now in its thirteenth year, World Architecture Festival is one of the world’s largest architectural events, highlighted by its awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing international excellence in architecture. Its sister festival, the Inside World Festival of Interiors, will also take place in Lisbon on the same dates.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both events did not take place in 2020. The upcoming competition, therefore, covers entries made in 2020 and 2021.

The shortlist of entries was announced last July. Those who made the shortlist will go on to compete in Lisbon this December.

All finalists will present to a panel for their respective categories. Winners in each category will present again to compete for the top awards – the World Building of the Year, Future Project of the Year, Interior of the Year and Landscape of the Year.

Pineda said Budji+Royal is doing all the necessary preparations for the panel at the live event.

“How to best express the story behind the Athletics Stadium is critical. I’d like to be able to make the jury and audience discover and understand the status of our nation, our memories and aspirations,” he said.

UK Ambassador tours New Clark City’s River Park

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The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the British Embassy Manila are working together for the design and development of one the Philippines’ largest public parks – the New Clark City Central Park.

As a review of the existing landscape that will complement the project, UK Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce on Friday, July 23, was given a tour by BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon of the New Clark City’s River Park – an environmental and recreational corridor that currently stretches to 1.4 kilometers. It features jogging paths, bikeways, an open amphitheater, and public spaces with art installations of Kapampangan and world-renowned artists like Kenneth Cobonpue, Bernie Pacquing, Jude Teotico and Bea Valdes.

New Clark City’s River Park follows the natural flow of the Cutcut River as advised by the Asian Development Bank to protect and preserve biodiversity.

The River Park also serves as a home to the Domes Village, a series of four dome-like structures – each with its theme – linked by suspended bridges. Serving as a large-scale outdoor art installation and a playground, the domes are made out of reclaimed hardwood from old houses combined with custom-made steel connections.

Once finished, the River Park can reach up to nine kilometers along the riverside where people can relax, work out, and appreciate the natural beauty of New Clark City.

One of largest public parks in PHL to rise in New Clark City

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A sprawling 44.8-hectare green and sustainable open recreational space inspired by global best practices and Philippine heritage will rise at the heart of New Clark City in Tarlac. Upon completion, the New Clark City Central Park will become one of the largest public parks to be built in the country in half a century since the completion of Rizal Park in Manila.

New Clark City is among the pilot areas of the Global Future Cities (GFC) Programme of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), an ODA technical assistance programme that supports sustainable and inclusive urban development in 10 countries and 19 cities across the world. The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in September 2020 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the British Embassy Manila for the design of NCC Central Park, as well as an affordable housing project in the new metropolis. 

A symbolic marker was unveiled on Friday, July 23, at New Clark City by BCDA and the British Embassy Manila to ceremonially lay the foundation of the central park. This activity followed a series of consultations with universities, locators in Clark, business and commercial groups, sports and tourism organizations, and partner government agencies for its development. 

“The New Clark City Central Park will be a great example of how we can use our land and water resources more sustainably to foster biodiversity, of how we can allocate green spaces to connect people with the environment and through that, to promote greater health and personal well-being,” UK Ambassador Daniel Pruce said.

For his part, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon said, “New Clark City is founded on the vision of becoming the first green, sustainable, and resilient city in the country, modelling from the successes of cities all over the world, especially those in the United Kingdom. We are so fortunate that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office decided to choose New Clark City as one of its models, to assist in this once-in-a-lifetime greenfield development.” 

The vision for NCC Central Park is a space that is one with nature, complete with a floating lakeside stage, pedestrian bridge, retention pond, multipurpose lawns, meditation alcoves, a calisthenics or outdoor gym, sunset plaza and rain gardens.

Sustainable, inclusive, resilient


Although it will be built inside New Clark City, the impact of Central Park will be of regional and national significance. Given its size and scale, UK FCDO believes that the park can become a model for the planning of future spaces across the Philippines. 

 

“New Clark City Central Park will demonstrate and pioneer the value of quality design and planning by showcasing a model of green, inclusive, safe and accessible public space that could be replicated in other cities in the country. This is especially pertinent in the context of the Philippines where public space is generally not adequately provided and protected,” UK FCDO said. “It will be an inclusive ‘people park’ that will be accessible to different kinds of users placing emphasis on universal access, connectivity and mobility.”

 

The park will draw inspiration from diverse international best practices like London’s Queen Elizabeth Park, but will also maintain its unique character by reflecting the local culture and heritage to serve the contemporary needs and future aspirations of Filipinos. 

 

Aligned with the updated New Clark City masterplan, the park will be connected to surrounding neighborhoods and communities through a wider network of pedestrian and cycle paths, as well as interconnected modes of public transportation. It will be linked to existing and future transport infrastructure in New Clark City such as the Clark International Airport and the upcoming Clark-Malolos Commuter Rail extension.

 

The project proponents believe that the most important characteristic of the Central Park is its sustainable and climate-responsive design that considers among others, the topography, microclimates, biodiversity conservation areas, water resources and drainage networks in New Clark City in order to reduce urban environmental risks and achieve long-term resilience. 

 

The park’s lake feature, which will function both as a water retention pond to help in flood mitigation and water resources management, as well as an ecologically managed wet biotope to help in the preservation of important ecological areas and natural habitat.

 

The New Clark City Central Park will also adopt a tree conservation strategy, based on classifications set by the Asian Development Bank, which provides that all native, indigenous species that contribute to the character of the region will be protected. There will also be a “no-cut policy” for all threatened tree species, as well as those that are of emergent forest nature and character. Conserving the existing native ecologies, the park can act as a carbon sink by absorbing pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, converting it into oxygen, and providing cleaner air to surrounding communities.

 

Based on an indicative timeline, the construction of the New Clark City Central Park will be divided into four phases. BCDA and UK FCDO aim to start the construction by 2023 and complete it in 2035.

 

As part of its GFC programme, the UK FCDO and BCDA are set to finalize the designs and full feasibility studies for the Central Park within 2021. Aside from the Central Park, the two parties will also design a pilot 33.89-hectare affordable housing project in New Clark City, and will review the existing housing strategy within the Clark Special Economic Freeport Zone and New Clark City.

 

Under the MOU, the UK FCDO and BCDA will also set up a sustainability unit for New Clark City and facilitate development of activities on urban planning, disaster resilience, urban design, landscape architecture, and sustainable development goals.