Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of greenery in suburban residential districts of Metro Manila

This case study was conducted to better understand the present situation of urban greenery in Marikina City, in the suburbs of metropolitan Manila, a typical large Asian city. A vegetation survey was conducted in residential districts of Marikina City, and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of trees were analyzed. Lot size had some influence on the quantity of greenery in residential lots. In smaller lots, however, quantity did not increase in proportion to lot size. It appears, then, that the land-use controls for individual lots did not function effectively. Quantitative differences of greenery were related to qualitative differences, depending on the year or period of development of the residential area. In the newly developed residential lots, the greenery is comprised mostly of ornamental trees. Under the present circumstances, there is no assurance of sustaining the desired quantity of greenery in smaller residential lots. From these results, we proposed that regulations on lot size/coverage and promotion of tree planting involving local residents are needed to sustain urban greenery in residential districts

Post-disaster recovery linked with pre-disaster land development and damage density of Typhoon Yolanda: Toward better land-use planning in Tacloban City, the Philippines

Coastal cities in Asia face increasing risks of extreme climate events and urgently need to develop risk-reduction plans to mitigate the harmful socioeconomic consequences of such events. In this study, we undertook geographical analyses and conducted interviews with stakeholders in the Tacloban City area, the Philippines, to investigate the relationships among building types, storm-surge inundation and post-disaster recovery after 2013 Typhoon Yolanda. Squatter settlements in low-lying urban and coastal areas were destroyed by the typhoon, but were rapidly rebuilt by squatters using debris from the typhoon. Government programs relocated some of the affected squatter populations to new socialized housing developments on safe higher ground that were some distance from the squatters\u27 former urban and coastal livelihoods, thus causing reluctance to relocation. Our GIS analysis of available geo-spatial data, coupled with extensive stakeholder interviews, showed that there were enough vacant lots within pre-existing housing subdivisions to house more than 7000 squatters and provide them with plots for urban vegetable farming that would provide their livelihood. Interviews with stakeholders suggested that this approach would not encounter excessive resistance. Thus, our study demonstrated that comprehensive GIS analyses and stakeholder involvement can contribute to effective land-use planning for community resilience

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of greenery in suburban residential districts of Metro Manila

This case study was conducted to better understand the present situation of urban greenery in Marikina City, in the suburbs of metropolitan Manila, a typical large Asian city. A vegetation survey was conducted in residential districts of Marikina City, and the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of trees were analyzed. Lot size had some influence on the quantity of greenery in residential lots. In smaller lots, however, quantity did not increase in proportion to lot size. It appears, then, that the land-use controls for individual lots did not function effectively. Quantitative differences of greenery were related to qualitative differences, depending on the year or period of development of the residential area. In the newly developed residential lots, the greenery is comprised mostly of ornamental trees. Under the present circumstances, there is no assurance of sustaining the desired quantity of greenery in smaller residential lots. From these results, we proposed that regulations on lot size/coverage and promotion of tree planting involving local residents are needed to sustain urban greenery in residential districts

Distribution and structure of urban green spaces in Metro Manila

We studied the distribution and structure of urban green spaces in Metro Manila, the Philippines, one of the most rapidly growing prime cities in Southeast Asia. Our field vegetation survey focused on the vertical structure and composition of species in urban green spaces. We selected 35 sample sites from 6 diferent land use types: high-density residential, low-density residential, business and commercial, industrial, park and urban-rurral mixture areas. We identified plant species and their heights at each sample site. In addition, we calculated the green cover ratio at each sample site from aerial photographs. The results showed that the green cover ratios were high in low-density residential areas and parks, but low in high-density residential, business and commercial, industrial and urban-rural mixture areas. Species richness was marked in low-density residential areas, but poor in business and commercial and industrial areas. While, on average, trees were relatively tall in low-density residential areas, business and commercial areas and parks, the trees in high-density residential areas and urban-rural mixture areas were relatively short. We observed distinct differences in species composition, depend ing on the major use of the trees: fruit and ornamental species predominated in both types of residential areas: shade and ornamental species predominated in business and commercial areas and parks: and fruit species predominated in urban-rural mixture areas. We consider that our results will be useful in future green space planning to improve the urban environment of Metro Manila.Part of "Proceedings of International Symposium on City Planning 2000, July 17-18, 2000, International Conference Center Kobe, Japan

Distribution and structure of urban green spaces in Metro Manila

We studied the distribution and structure of urban green spaces in Metro Manila, the Philippines, one of the most rapidly growing prime cities in Southeast Asia. Our field vegetation survey focused on the vertical structure and composition of species in urban green spaces. We selected 35 sample sites from 6 diferent land use types: high-density residential, low-density residential, business and commercial, industrial, park and urban-rurral mixture areas. We identified plant species and their heights at each sample site. In addition, we calculated the green cover ratio at each sample site from aerial photographs. The results showed that the green cover ratios were high in low-density residential areas and parks, but low in high-density residential, business and commercial, industrial and urban-rural mixture areas. Species richness was marked in low-density residential areas, but poor in business and commercial and industrial areas. While, on average, trees were relatively tall in low-density residential areas, business and commercial areas and parks, the trees in high-density residential areas and urban-rural mixture areas were relatively short. We observed distinct differences in species composition, depend ing on the major use of the trees: fruit and ornamental species predominated in both types of residential areas: shade and ornamental species predominated in business and commercial areas and parks: and fruit species predominated in urban-rural mixture areas. We consider that our results will be useful in future green space planning to improve the urban environment of Metro Manila.Part of "Proceedings of International Symposium on City Planning 2000, July 17-18, 2000, International Conference Center Kobe, Japan

Management and micro-scale landform determine the ground flora of secondary woodlands and their verges in the Tama Hills of Tokyo, Japan

We investigated the influence of management and micro-scale landform on the species composition and richness of ground flora in secondary woodlands and their verges next to paddy fields in the Tama Hills, Tokyo, Japan. Sites representing various micro-scale landforms and different management regimes were sampled. The results of Detrended Correspondence Analysis and Indicator Species Analysis showed that there was no significant difference between management regimes on species composition in head hollow sites. However, species composition was unique in other landform types having the same management regimes. Micro-scale landform units had less effect on species composition than management regime on crest slopes and side slopes of secondary woodlands. A large variation in species composition of verges, all on the lowermost side slopes, was found within sites, but the composition was different when compared with other sites. We recognized five habitat types associated with species composition that resulted from the combined effects of landform and management regimes. Among habitat types, the verges and the well-managed woodlands had high species richness. Management practices within woodlands have enhanced the species richness on crest slopes and side slopes. High beta diversity of ground flora could be due to the variation in micro-scale landform along soil moisture regimes. Intensive management involving clear-cutting on the lower side slopes (an ecotone of mesic and wet environments) accompanied by paddy cultivation on valley bottoms enhanced the diversity of herbaceous vegetation in the verges