MMDA

OPEN METRO

METRO MANILA
OPEN SPACE
NETWORK
UNLOCKING THE METROPOLIS THROUGH PLANNING, DESIGN
AND PROGRAMMING OF ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACES
MMDA

OPEN METRO

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Metro Manila Open Space Network will enhance the quality and accessibility of open space to create a more livable and sustainable urban environ-
ment.

The plan identifies new opportunities and creates linkages among projects at the national and local level to create a metro-wide network along streets
and waterways supported by appropriate policies.

This plan follows the latest version of the National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) which proposes creating a National Open
Space Network and Trail system.

The scope of this project includes active stakeholder engagement towards the development of an open space masterplan, policy guidelines, and
implementation of priority projects between 2017-2022. It is led by the MMDA in partnership with relevant agencies.
The policy framework will provide: The proposed budget includes
• transit-oriented development zone land use regulations the following components:
• street design guidelines • Department of Public Works and Highways
• Metro Manila Council Resolutions and corresponding local ordinances necessary to • Department of Transportation
implement the network • Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
The spatial framework will: • Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board
• provide conceptual designs for priority projects • Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
• identify key corridors for further development
• Bases and Conversion Development Authority
The proposed budget includes the following components: • Department of Tourism
• LGU workshops • Metro Manila Local Government Units
• creation and production of the street design guidelines • Philippine Green Building Council
• detailed engineering and design + construction costs of priority projects • Landscape Architects of the Philippines
• public campaigns and branding
WATER STREET GOALS
INTRODUCTION
Open space is essential to a livable LIVEABLE CITIES:
city. Open spaces are used by urban HOW MUCH GREEN SPACE
citizens for transport, recreation, and DOES YOUR CITY HAVE?
leisure. They are important for flood
prevention, biodiversity, urban heat
reduction, and air quality. A network of WHO
quality open spaces directly contrib- METRO
(WORLD HEALTH
ORGANIZATION)

utes to the mental and physical health TOKYO MANILA ISTANBUL MINIMUM SINGAPORE VIENNA
of all urban citizens.

Metro Manila is one of the most dense

cities in the world. Density can be
beneficial when planned and managed
well. In Metro Manila however a lack of
regulations, planning, and resources 3m2 5m2 6.4m2 9m2
have left Metro Manila disconnected,
congested, and vulnerable. This is most 66m2
visible along Metro Manila’s roadways 120m2
and waterways; after the cars and the
buildings, people are left with a very
limited amount of open space. In fact,
Metro Manila falls well below international Source: www.baharash.com “LIVEABLE CITIES: HOW MUCH GREEN SPACE DOES YOUR CITY HAVE?”
standards.

According to UN-Habitat, public space
should make up 45% of a land area with
30% allocated to streets and sidewalks and
15% for open space, green space, and
public facilities 1 . To meet these
standards, Metro Manila would need
to reclaim 96 square kilometers of open
space, roughly the size of Navotas, Manila,
Makati, and Pasay combined.
The WHO recommends a minimum of 9
square meters of green space per capita2.
According to the Green City Index, Metro
Manila currently has 5 square meters per
person3. To reach this standard Metro Manila
would need to add 52 square kilometers of
green space, roughly the size of Manila and
Makati combined.
The Metro Manila Open Space Network
aims to weave open space back into the
metropolis. Impossible though it may seem
to reclaim public space in an already highly
built up area, the plan identifies opportunities
and outlines the policies needed to achieve
them by 2022.

1
https://unhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Habitat-III-Issue-Paper-11_Public-Space-2.0.compressed.pdf
2
https://unhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Habitat-III-Issue-Paper-11_Public-Space-2.0.compressed.pdf
3
http://sg.siemens.com/city_of_the_future/_docs/Asian-Green-City-Index.pdf
SCOPE OF MMDA SERVICES
Metro-wide services under the jurisdiction
of the MMDA are those services which
have metro-wide impact and transcend
local political boundaries or entail
huge expenditures such that it would
not be viable for said services to be
provided by the individual Local
Government Units (LGUs) comprising
Metropolitan Manila.
These services shall include:
• Development planning
Transport and traffic management
• Solid waste disposal and management
Flood control and sewerage management
• Urban renewal, zoning and land use
planning, and shelter services
• Health and sanitation, urban protection
and pollution control
• Public safety
MMDA

OPEN METRO

STRATEGIES
STRATEGY : REVOLUTIONIZE STREET DESIGN
In highly dense cities, streets are the
majority of open, public space.
Re-thinking how to design a street can
have significant impacts on mobility,
urban economy, and citizen wellbeing.
The current method of designing roadways
primarily for vehicle use limits the
potential of this valuable space to
address a dynamic set of issues. Ultimately,
better streets contribute to public
health and safety, quality of life, environmental
sustainability, economic sustainability,
and social equity.4

Metro Manila has 5,220 km of road

network. According to UN-Habitat,
30% of total land area should be allocated
to streets and sidewalks. To meet this
standard, Metro Manila needs to add
3,000 km to the road network. There is
an opportunity to transform existing
roadways as well as establish the
changes needed to influence future
road network developments.

Through Open Metro, MMDA will work

with HLURB, DPWH, DOTr, and the
Metro Manila local government units to
update street design practices through
the development of a local Street
Design Guide to be institutionalized
through a Metro Manila Council resolution
and local ordinances in each city. The
adopted street designs will be
showcased in the Open Metro priority
projects.
Global Street Design Guide pg. XXIII
4
 TH
E
B
LEGLUE
STRATEGY : DESIGNATE TRANSIT
UM
E
ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ZONES
Metro Manila will experience an influx
of transportation infrastructure projects
between 2017-2022 including the
extension of existing light rail lines,
new PNR rail lines, a bus rapid transit
system, and a subway line. These will
provide much needed mass transit
options to the public. They will also
transform the spatial framework of the
metropolis with new connectivity
unlocking land use around stations.
A transit oriented development zone
provides the regulations necessary to
closely integrate urban forms and land
uses with public transit development.
Land use policies within the TOD Zone
help maximize the benefits of public
transit by ensuring that the develop-
ment area is high density, compact,
accessible through walking, cycling,
and transit, connected, and mixed-use.
Currently, there are no TOD zone regu-
lations in the Philippines. The result as
evidenced along major roadways such
as EDSA is the inconvenient and haz-
ardous accessibility to transit stations
and inefficient origin and destination
connection resulting in poor urban
environment, road congestion, and
economic loss. Land use plays a critical
role in the success of public transit.
Through Open Metro, MMDA will work
with HLURB and the Metro Manila local
government units to draft a Transit
Oriented Development Zone Land Use
Policy to be institutionalized through a
Metro Manila Council resolution and
local ordinances in each city. The TOD
zone principles will be implemented in
the Open Metro priority projects.
PLANNED BRT
NETWORK AND
RAIL NETWORK
Source: DOTR
+
1KM RADIUS
TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT ZONE
STANDARD
Source: ITDP TOD Standard
STRATEGY : ENHANCE EXISTING OPEN SPACE
Open space, defined as any open
piece of land that is undeveloped and
is accessible to the public, can be classified
according to the local context. In
Metro Manila these may include green
space (land that is partly or completely
covered with grass, trees, shrubs, or
other vegetation) such as parks and
cemeteries. Open space can also
include plazas, playgrounds, public
seating areas, basketball/covered
courts, schoolyards, parking lots and
easements.5
Through Open Metro, MMDA will work
with HLURB, DENR, and the Metro
Manila local government units to identify,
map, and assess condition of existing
open spaces in each LGU to be included
in the Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
Improvements for existing open spaces
include:
• Physical enhancements such as lighting,
street furnitures, and shading;
• Connectivity or accessibility enhancements
by linking priority open spaces to the
public transit network;
• Green infrastructure enhancements such
as tree planting, pervious surfaces,
bioswales, rainwater collection, storm
water management;
• Marketing of open spaces to create
awareness and foster specific district’s
sense of place;
• Designation as Family Zones for regular
activities and access particularly on Sundays.

GREEN SPACES
IN METRO MANILA
+
Source:
“Comparative Study
of ASEAN MEGACITIES’
GREENSPACE”
L ARCH 147, Prof. Navarra

15 MINUTE (1KM)
RADIUS AREAS
SURROUNDING
COMMUNITIES
Source:
WHO Recommended
www.3.epa.gov
5 Distance to Green Space
STRATEGY : REVITALIZE WATERWAYS
Metro Manila has 680 km of open
waterways. These waterways are critical
for flood management, biodiversity,
transport, and urban culture. Various
challenges abound along the waterways
including illegal encroachments and
illegal dumping. The neglected waterways
are thus polluted and difficult to
access. However, these waterways
hold immense potential for the urban
regeneration of the metropolis.
Through Open Metro, MMDA will work
with a long list of stakeholders to lay
the foundations necessary for transforming
the waterways into vibrant places
people can enjoy for alternative transport,
recreation, and leisure through
interventions that protect and ensure
the environmental quality of these
corridors.
The following design strategies are to
be implemented:
• Provide basic civil works needed to
improve current waterway infrastructure.
• Retain existing greeneries where possible.
• Propose concepts of walkways and
cycling paths that may be elevated or at
grade, to standards that follow global best
practices for increased mobility.
• Integrate the pedestrian network to
current and future transport terminals (e.g.
BRT, LRT).
• Integrate streetscape furniture (e.g. benches,
trash bins, bollards, bike racks) in line with
a cohesive metro wide concept.
• Establish measures to support biodiversity
MMDA

OPEN METRO

DEVELOP CORRIDORS
DEVELOP CORRIDORS
E S C O LTA
DISTRICT

LEGEND
STREETSCAPE
IMPROVEMENTS

WAYFINDING
MANILA HERITAGE EXTENSIONS

TRAIL RIVER
ESPLANADE

This corridor is proposed to uplift the streetscape INTRAMUROS

connecting the best of Manila’s heritage across

Ermita, Malate, Rizal Park, Intramuros, Binondo, and
Quiapo creating a seamless experience for locals and
foreigners alike. Currently, this district suffers from
obstructed walkways, disconnected sidewalks,
underutilized street furniture, lack of shade, and the
absence of district branding and way finding. The
proposal will enrich a prime district and has distinct
tourism opportunities that can help revitalize old R I Z A L PA R K

RO
districts by establishing better pedestrian connectivity.

XA
S
BO
Design components include:

UL
EV
• Restoration of sidewalks, introduction of shading

AR
elements, and upgrading of intersection

D
E R M I TA
treatments that encourage pedestrian mobility; M A L AT E
• Distinct branding and way finding for clear district DISTRICT
identity;
• Landscape designs to include storm water
management, tree planting, bioswales.
• Improve streetscape furniture (e.g. benches, trash
bins, bollards, bike racks);
• Enhance lighting where needed. MANILA
B AY
DEVELOP CORRIDORS

M A L AT E

MANILA BAYWAY + LEGEND

LA PAPACHEA ECOTRAIL ROXAS BLVD

CONNECTION

The Manila Bayway will connect Old Manila through PARAÑAQUE

the Manila Heritage Trail, the commercial develop- TO BGC
ments of Mall of Asia and Aseana City, the Paranaque WATERWAY
river leading to EDSA, and the and Maricaban Creek CCP
COMPLEX
leading to Bonifacio Global City. This corridor touches
on all aspects of Open Metro, activating waterfronts,
transforming streetscapes, enhancing green space, MANILA PA S AY
and providing new connectivity among a diverse set B AY

of destinations to be used for daily commuters or

weekend recreation for all citizens.

This corridor also opens up access for pedestrians

and cyclists to the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical
Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), the only
protected area and bird sanctuary in Metro Manila.
The 1.75 square kilometer nature sanctuary is home
to 5,000 migratory birds and restored mangroves BACLARAN
TA G U I G
and is a critical ecosystem for preserving biodiversity
admits a highly urbanizing metropolis.
Design components include:
• Restoration of sidewalk pavement, introduction of
shading elements, upgrading of intersection
treatments that encourage pedestrian mobility;
• On-street protected bikeways;
Iconic bridge for pedestrian and bike use only;
• Elevated walkway and bikeway across SLEX;
• Landscape designs to include storm water
management, tree planting, bioswales;
• Improve streetscape furniture (e.g. benches, trash
bins, bollards, bike racks);
• Enhance lighting where needed. L A PA PA C H E A
DEVELOP CORRIDORS

LIBERTAD PARK
Open Metro, Project | Libertad is a jump-off point on
planning our spaces for people; to create an open
network of landscaped pathways connecting Old
Manila to the Roxas Boulevard bayside, dedicated to
the people that walk our cities. The primary goal is
to design for people and places; to create a seamless
pedestrian experience that promotes walkability by
designing for inclusive mobility. Project Libertad will
showcase connectivity with a focus on pedestrian
comfort, bike infrastructure, public space activation
through a series of active uses; retail, family and
sports zones, outdoor lounges and public parks that
uplift the experience on the ground and complement
real-estate value of surrounding area. Open Metro |
Project Libertad is envisioned to be a self-sustaining
project: following global best green practices on
sustainability (rain water collection, alternative energy
use etc.) and an economic program that generates
income for maintenance of the public space.
DEVELOP CORRIDORS

SUMMARY MAP
OF MANILA WEST
CORRIDOR
MMDA

OPEN METRO

BUILDING LINKAGES
The following projects are existing efforts
of national or local agencies that will be
integrated to the Metro Manila Open Space Network.
BUILDING LINKAGES

MA
LEGEND

K AT
I AV
MAJOR
ACCESS ROADS

EN
UE
MAKATI HERITAGE PEDESTRIANIZED
ROADS

ZONE
The Makati Heritage Zone is a project of the City of RI
ZA
L

Makati to highlight local heritage through the JP

restoration of old homes, promotion of local artists
through public art, and activate streets through pop
up events, way finding, and pedestrianization. The
Heritage Zone is nestled along the Pasig River nearby
a newly restored linear park completed in partnership
with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and a
newly renovated public park by the City of Manila.
Additional connectivity to the surrounding area
includes expanded riverfront access towards A. MABINI
Rockwell Center and connectivity through the street
network along Makati Avenue towards the Makati
A . B O N I FA C I O
Business District.

PA S I G R I V E R
BUILDING LINKAGES

LEGEND
GREENWAY
PHASE 1a

GREENWAY
O
PHASE 1b
RT
IG
A GREENWAY
S
A PHASE 2
V
EN

ORTIGAS
U
E

GREENWAY
The Ortigas Greenway is a project of the Department
of Transportation that features a series of elevated
walkways and public parks linking commuters
between the Ortigas MRT Station along EDSA to the
Central Business District. The project addresses
inconvenient pedestrian access along limited space.

NUE
AV E
OS

M E R A L C O AV E N U E
NT
A
S S
LO

J U L I A VA R G A S AV E N U E
DE
O
NI
I FA
EP
BUILDING LINKAGES

BRT CENTRAL
CORRIDOR GREENWAY
The BRT Central Corridor Greenway is a project of
the Department of Transportation to create a ‘core’
greenway network linking key destinations within
Pasig, Marikina, Mandaluyong, and Makati and
integrating the greenway network with the BRT
EDSA Corridor.
BUILDING LINKAGES

MANILA
B AY

PA R A Ñ A Q U E

LAS PIÑAS
FRIENDSHIP ROUTES
The Las Pinas Friendship Routes are a unique initiative
by the City of Las Pinas in partnership with various
homeowners associations to open up gated
subdivision routes to registered cyclists. The friendship
route provides a much needed alternative to cycling
along Alabang-Zapote road, a congested and
dangerous thoroughfare for cyclists.

M U N T I N L U PA

LAS PIÑAS
BUILDING LINKAGES

N AV O TA S

VA L E N Z U E L A
CALOOCAN

QUEZON CITY
SAN
M AT E O

WHITE RABBIT ROUTE

The Quezon City White Rabbit Route is a project of
Quezon City to encourage bicycle use as a viable
form of transportation, reduce vehicle emissions, and
connect various points of interest within Quezon City.
The proposed routes link educational and cultural
institutions, open spaces, residential neighborhoods,
and popular districts.
MANILA MARIKINA
ANTIPOLO

SAN JUAN

PA S I G
TA G U I G
BUILDING LINKAGES

MARIKINA
BIKEWAYS
The City of Marikina has been leading the bicycle
movement since it first started implementing bike
lanes in the 1990s. Since then the city has gone on to
establish a city-wide network including wide
esplanades along the Marikina River which are used
daily by citizens making it a vibrant central corridor.
Through Open Metro this network can be enhanced
and connected to surrounding cities.
BUILDING LINKAGES

LA MESA
RESERVOIR

COMMONWEALTH
EXPRESS
The Commonwealth Cycling Corridor is projected to
be a prime artery in Quezon City with the construction
of the LRT Line 7. Through Open Metro, Commonwealth
Avenue and improve on pedestrian experience by
integrating proposed LRT stations to Bike Share
Terminals, and also dedicating pedestrianized lanes
mainly for walking and cycling. The Commonwealth
Corridor also provides direct access to the La Mesa
Eco Park, the largest green open space in Metro
QUEZON CITY
Manila.
BUILDING LINKAGES

TA G U I G E X I T

C-6 LAGUNA
S U C AT
PROPOSED
R E C L A M AT I O N

LAKESHORE ALABANG

EXPRESSWAY
The C-6 Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike is a project
of the Department of Public Works and Highways
spanning 10.7km from Taytay to Bicutan along Laguna PHASE 1
Lake. The Dike has a 2 meter wide planting strip and a 3 SAN PEDRO
meter wide bike lane. It provides a pleasant journey for
those commuting, exercising, or just relaxing. Additional
connectivity is needed to allow neighboring areas to
access the lakefront esplanade.

S TA R O S A

PHASE 2
C A B U YA O

CALAMBA
PHASE 3
DEVELOP CORRIDORS

MANILA WEST CORRIDOR

WHITE RABBIT ROUTE

MARIKINA BIKEWAYS

MAKATI HERITAGE ZONE

METROWIDE ORTIGAS GREENWAY

CONCEPTUAL
MAP
LAS PIÑAS FRIENDSHIP ROUTE

LAGUNA LAKESHORE EXPRESSWAY

MMDA

OPEN METRO

MANILA WEST CORRIDOR TIMELINE

2018 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

FEASIBILITY
STUDY

DETAILED
ENGINEERING

BIDDING

I M PL EM EN TAT I ON
MMDA

OPEN METRO