Transforming Manila: Plaza Azul Park to Become a Green Hub in Pandacan

Manila is set to revitalise Pandacan's Plaza Azul with a new public park development, aiming to provide residents with more spaces for public events and wellness activities. The Plaza Azul Redevelopment Project broke ground on 18 Jul 2024, marking the beginning of this transformative initiative. Key officials from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Manila City Local Government attended the ceremony, highlighting the project's importance.

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Transforming Plaza Azul

Before the redevelopment, Plaza Azul was an idle piece of land overshadowed by the massive elevated skyway project. Despite its underutilization, the park is home to a monument dedicated to Dr. Paz Mendoza-Guanzon, a pioneering woman who achieved numerous firsts, including being the first woman to finish high school in 1907, graduate from the UP College of Medicine, and serve on the UP Board of Regents. Unfortunately, the park had seen better days.

The Plaza Azul redevelopment is the pilot project under the Green Green Green Program, an initiative aimed at creating more public open spaces in urban areas. Once completed, Plaza Azul will become a green hub in one of Manila's densest residential areas. The 8,000-square-metre space will feature a variety of facilities, including al fresco sitting areas, dancing fountains, a children's playground, an activity lawn, a park pavilion, a basketball court, a multi-purpose court, an outdoor fitness equipment area, a jogging path, and a senior citizen pavilion.

The DBM emphasised that the Plaza Azul redevelopment will improve air quality, ambiance, and flood prevention in the area. The park will include various plants and trees that can thrive in low-light conditions, given its placement under the elevated skyway. Green architectural plans involve using open spaces as infiltration fields for flood management, adding a green facade to the skyway columns, and installing a rainwater harvesting system to collect and process rainwater for irrigation.

Green Green Green Program

The Green Green Green Program is a newly launched initiative by the DBM that aims to create more public open spaces in communities, making them more livable, sustainable, and well-connected. With a budget of ₱1.55 billion, the program will support the development of 38 urban areas in Luzon, 21 in Visayas, and 21 in BARMM and Mindanao, promoting sustainable development and community wellness.

DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman, represented by Undersecretary Will Wong, highlighted the park's dual functionality and creative spaces for performances, busking, and artistic expressions. "Plaza Azul will not just be a symbol of our commitment to environmental stewardship but also our dedication to improving the lives of all Manileños," said Pangandaman.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan expressed her administration's strong support for such projects. "Magsilbi sana itong isang magandang ehemplo kung paano ayusin ang isang bakanteng espasyo sa ilalim ng isang elevated skyway, gayundin sa iba pang bakanteng lugar para sa isang forest park, botanical garden landscape parks at iba pang proyekto na magagamit ng taong bayan," said Lacuna-Pangan.

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In addition to the redevelopment of Plaza Azul, other ongoing projects aim to improve the quality of life in Manila, including the continued maintenance of Arroceros Park, the preservation and restoration of Escolta, and the enhancement of Manila Zoo. These efforts collectively represent a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable, and livable Manila.

All image credit goes to Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila