Benel Lagua l September 6, 2024 l The Manila Times
LIVABLE cities are well-designed, sustainable, inclusive and with access to essential services, amenities and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) Livability Index 2024 assessed 173 cities across the world on 30 indicators, divided into five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. The indicators are rated as acceptable, tolerable, uncomfortable, undesirable or intolerable.
This year, Manila got a rating in the 60-70 tier (100 being the highest), an improvement from 58.7 in 2022. The Philippine capital is a city of contrasts, its rich, colorful history blending with rapid urban development. It has a vibrant culture, and its upwardly mobile residents enjoy comfortable lifestyles.
However, when examined through the lens of global livability standards, the city is up against significant challenges. Its 2024 rating says, “Negative factors have an impact on day-to-day living.” But this is better than its 2022 rating which said that, in Manila, “livability is substantially constrained.”
The stability indicators consist of petty and violent crimes, threat of terror, military conflict and civil unrest.
Health care indicators are availability and quality of both public and private health care and the availability of over-the-counter medicine.
Culture and environment indicators are diverse: humidity/temperature, climate discomfort, social or religious restrictions, censorship, access to sporting and cultural activities, and available consumer goods and services.
Education covers the availability and quality of public and private education.
Finally, infrastructure looks at road networks, public transport and international links, housing, energy provision, water provision and telecommunication.
In another study, the EIU model was modified by adding spatial aspects of city life: urban form (sprawl, green space), geographical situation (natural assets, isolation and connectivity), cultural assets and pollution. The importance of spatial characteristics stems from their inherently democratic quality. It is an aspect of city life that can be enjoyed by all and escaped by none.
These six categories offer guideposts on how to improve Manila’s standing as a livable city. It may be impossible to address everything, but there are impact areas worth prioritizing. The objective is to reach the 70-80 tier in the overall rating, in which “day-to-day living is fine, in general, but some aspects of life may entail problems.”
Negative factors
Four areas for immediate attention involve very visible negative factors affecting day-to-day living. These are: (a) traffic congestion and public transportation; (b) pollution and environmental hazards; (c) infrastructure — roads, power and water; and (d) safety and security.
The city’s road network is often overwhelmed by the volume of vehicles, resulting in daily gridlocks that can stretch for hours. Manila consistently ranks among the cities with the worst traffic congestion globally. The existing public transportation system of jeepneys, buses and a limited railway network struggles to meet the needs of a growing population. Commuters often face long waits, overcrowded vehicles and unreliable services.
Manila faces serious pollution problems. The city’s air is heavily polluted due to vehicle emissions, industrial activities and inadequate regulations. Manila’s air quality often falls below the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. Waste management remains a challenge; many parts of the city grapple with uncollected garbage leading to clogged drainage systems and frequent flooding.
Growth has often been haphazard, leading to poorly planned residential areas, inadequate green spaces and inefficient use of land. Informal settlements are widespread, and many residents live in substandard conditions without access to basic services like clean water and sanitation. Moreover, the city’s infrastructure is aging. Frequent power outages, inadequate drainage systems and poor road conditions complicate daily life.
Safety is a major concern in Manila, impacting both residents and visitors. Crime rate, particularly in terms of petty theft, burglary and drug-related violence, contribute to a sense of insecurity. Additionally, social inequality is evident, with a significant portion of the population of living in poverty
Manila’s officials must fix these areas of concern via the following recommendations: One, invest in a more efficient, reliable and sustainable public transportation system. Expanding the railway network, introducing more eco-friendly buses and encouraging the use of bicycles and pedestrian-friendly pathways could alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution.
Two, enforce stricter regulations to combat air and water pollution, promote the use of cleaner fuels, increase green spaces and implement better waste management practices.
Three, develop a more strategic urban plan to accommodate rapid growth. Build affordable housing, upgrade basic utilities and create more public parks and open spaces. Invest in resilient infrastructure to mitigate flooding.
Four, efforts to reduce crime should continue, with a focus on community policing and crime prevention. Programs aimed at poverty reduction, education and job creation are necessary to improve social cohesion and foster a more inclusive city.
It is a tall order to reach the first-tier rating in the livability index, where “there are few, if any, challenges to living standards.” But aiming to move up in the rating is not just to compete with the global community. The goal must be to improve quality of life and to contribute to the overall well-being of citizens.
*** Benel de la Paz Lagua was previously EVP and chief development officer at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He is an active Finex member and an advocate of risk-based lending for SMEs. He is an independent director in progressive banks and NGOs. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of his office as well as Finex. Photo from Pinterest.