Rediscovering heritage architecture in Manila’s U-Belt
By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:06:00 05/31/2008
Filed Under: Architecture, Education
URBAN PLANNERS, EDUCATORS and businessmen envision this part of Manila as “Asia’s answer to the academic boroughs of Paris, Hamburg and New York.”
Sadly, the Central University Belt or U-Belt -- where some of the country’s better known colleges and universities can be found -- has deteriorated over the years.
It has, in fact, been described by urban development researchers as “dirty, dangerous and disorganized.” They also noted that “esteros and canals have been converted into septic tanks; traffic in the area is considered among the worst in the National Capital Region. The area has also become notorious for its high crime rate.”
The situation prompted various sectors, like the Central U-Belt Stakeholders’ Group which includes longtime residents and city government officials, to come up with a plan they called “Recasting Heritage in Urban Renewal” that would help restore the U-Belt to its former glory.
The urban renewal scheme, drawn up by planners from the University of the East and Far Eastern University, started eight years ago, according to Dr. Zenaida Manalo of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP-SURP).
Since 2000, a series of research studies have been conducted by community and academe-based groups calling for the revitalization of the area, Manalo said, adding that one of their goals is the restoration of the historic Gota de Leche building built in 1917.
“The restoration revived public awareness of the viability of integrating heritage structures with contemporary lifestyles,” she explained during a presentation of the concept plan recently.
Soon after, Manalo and her students at UP-SURP undertook a study on the development of Gota de Leche as a heritage conservation asset as part of the overall urban renewal plan. They also unveiled an urban usage plan that lumps together heritage conservation, commercial viability and tourism in the framework for infusing new life and energy into the area.
According to them, the U-Belt is historically significant because it is where pioneers in tertiary education established their institutions of higher learning.
“Its historical flavor merits the attention of people in the community. That’s why we encourage residents and establishment owners to do their part for this project for this will instill a sense of ownership and pride of place in them,” said Anna Leah Sarabia, one of the directors of La Proteccion de la Infancia Inc.
La Proteccion, which operates Gota de Leche on S.H. Loyola Street (formerly Lepanto), is a charitable foundation that campaigns against infant mortality. It also has a feeding program for indigent children.
The urban renewal project involves the creation of a unified area walkway and the improvement of sidewalks and alleys, the development of pedestrian and community parks, and the establishment of a gateway or landmark that would represent all the schools in the area or emphasize the U-Belt’s impact on education.
Among the concerns raised by people behind the project were problems concerning traffic, garbage, parking, sidewalk vendors, old dilapidated structures and peace and order.
“We were surprised and happy at the same time because when we invited Mayor Alfredo Lim for the project presentation, he immediately made a commitment to do several things based on the ‘doable’ recommendations,” Sarabia said.
“We’re hoping that under his administration, we might yet be able to prove that it’s possible to preserve heritage sites while making full use of them for educational, commercial or artistic purposes,” she added.
Among others things, city and police officials vowed to look into the implementation of a better traffic system, step up police visibility for the security of students and residents and help in the maintenance of old and abandoned structures and property.
On the beautification aspect, Sarabia suggested that the city government do something about hanging electrical wires which make the place ugly. She also urged officials to light up the streets around the U-Belt to discourage criminals from sniffing around for prey.
As part of the makeover, project proponents suggested that the City Council approve an ordinance that would not only regulate the size and placement of billboard advertisements but also ban those depicting sex and violence.
It would also be better if there could be an urban renewal ordinance, one that would declare the Central U-Belt area a pilot urban renewal zone, they added.
If their project succeeds, their experience can provide many lessons or inspire similar efforts in other areas, not only in Manila, but in other parts of the country as well, the proponents said.
Eight years ago, the total estimated cost of the project was pegged at around P18 million. “But it may be almost double the cost now,” Sarabia said. Apart from contributions, funding for the project is expected to come from a possible loan from Asian Development Bank or World Bank.
“There are also potential contributors like the European Union, the Spanish European Agency as well as corporate foundations like Gota de Leche and the Ayala, Lopez and Gokongwei foundations,” she added.
Sarabia said they also intend to establish a Heritage Passageway, preferably in an area between FEU and Gota de Leche, both Unesco heritage awardees. “Right now, we’re eyeing a vacant lot in the area that will serve as an open air art walk or gallery where students can hold exhibits,” she said, adding that city officials have vowed to to see to it that the passageway is constructed as soon as possible.
Eventually, the stakeholders plan to organize a walking tour to show locals as well as foreigners the various heritage treasures within the cluster of communities in the U-Belt.
Unknown to many, the area also hosts structures that stand out because of their architectural character or historical significance.
Urban development researchers have made an inventory of potential stops for a walking tour that could contribute to the commercial revitalization of the place.
They suggested that the tour start at Gota de Leche, a building with an impressive architectural design by pioneering architect Arcadio Arellano. In fact, it received the 2003 Unesco Asia Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Tourists can also go to various educational institutions, including the University of Santo Tomas, considered the oldest existing university in Asia, and Far Eastern University, the country’s largest Art Deco complex.
Attractions on the UST campus include, among others, the Arch of the Centuries by the entrance which bears the inscription “Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos.”
On the other hand, FEU buildings showcase the Art Deco style of the 1940s that can be seen in the geometric details of the building design and grillwork.
The route can also include passing by the ancestral homes of personalities like former Sen. Eva Estrada Kalaw and Jose Maria Basa, a businessman whose home was open to Philippine Revolution figures like Jose Rizal.
At the end of the day, the people striving to revive U-Belt’s splendor hope that tourists, locals especially, would not only understand but more importantly, feel proud about the rich cultural background and heritage of the City of Manila.
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