Adopt-A-Park

Metro Manila, Philippines, Philippines

City population: 13484462

Duration: 2022 – ongoing

Implementation status: Ongoing

Scale: Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level

Project area: unknown

Type of area: Previous derelict area, Public Greenspace Area

Last updated: February 2023

The Adopt-a-Park project is an urban re-greening and renewal program. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), working together with the 17 Metro Manila local government units (LGUs), has launched the initiative to address rapid urbanization and urban decay by creating new green areas and renovating existing but underutilized or derelict neighbourhood spaces [4]. The project is part of the "I ♡ Metro Manila" advocacy program of the MMDA, which was launched to "uplift the spirits of the residents recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen initiatives on urban renewal that aims to transform the metropolis to be a more livable, greener, and resilient region"[1].

Adopt-a-Park project in Navotas

Ref. 7.

Overview

Nature-based solution

Parks and urban forests
Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces

Key challenges

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Regulation of built environment
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Improving mental health
Improving physical health
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
Inclusive governance

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Strategy, plan or policy development, Improved governance of green or blue areas

Project objectives

The project aims to rehabilitate existing neighbourhood spaces and transform under-utilized areas into functional pocket parks in order to: 1. Address urban decay 2. Reduce urban heat effect 3. Provide safe and clean areas for family events and wellness activities, supporting the physical and mental health of the public 4. Raise environmental awareness 5. Encourage inclusive and participatory planning among the stakeholders [1,2,3,5 and 7]

Implementation activities

In total, 23 Adopt-A-Park projects are being planned by the MMDA across Metro Manila. The first park rehabilitated under the project was the MMDA-Valenzuela City Friendship Park in Barangay Bignay, which was inaugurated in February 2022. Since then, several open spaces and pocket parks have been renovated or created, including the Buting Linear Park in Pasig, El Polvorin Linear Park in San Juan, Gatchalian Park in Las Piñas, Hulong Duhat Plaza in Malabon, Urban Green Space and Recreational Park in Muntinlupa City, City Park Phase 3 in Parañaque, and Navotas Greenzone Park-Phase 2. [3] Implementation activities vary from site to site but include landscaping and enhancing the areas with various function-enhancing features. These included the installation of lighting systems, plant boxes, water fountains, seats and benches, ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs), exercise areas for adults and senior citizens, playground equipments for children, multi-function spaces for families, comfort rooms and informative signages. [2,5,6] Citizens are also expected to take care of the park and maintain its cleanliness. [2, 7]

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

Create or improve outdoor spaces to help people escape from urban heat

Main beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups
Marginalized groups: Elderly people, People with functional diversities
Young people and children

Governance

Management set-up

Government-led

Type of initiating organisation

Local government/municipality

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Co-management/Joint management

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The project was created through the collaboration of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the 17 local government units. [1]. The Metro Manila Development Authority sets the criteria for site selection, provides funding, and implements the construction of urban greening projects. The local government proposes the location, design and cost estimate as well as manages and maintains the park [2].

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? No

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Yes (The project is aligned with the 7K Agenda of the Metro Manila Administration. The 7K Agenda consists of Kabuhayan (livelihood), Kalusugan (health), Karunungan (knowledge or education), Kaunlaran (progress), Kapayapaan/Kaayusan (peace and order), Katarungan (justice), and Kalikasan (environment). [3])

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

Public regional budget

Type of funding

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Green space and habitat
Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
Increased green space area
Restoration of derelict areas

Economic impacts

Unknown

Socio-cultural impacts

Social justice and cohesion
Improved access to urban green space
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Health and wellbeing
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Safety
Increased perception of safety

Type of reported impacts

Expected impacts, Achieved impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

References

[1] Metro Manila Development Authority. Nov. 13, 2021. MMDA Launches I ♡ MM for Urban Renewal, Facilitates Transition to New Normal. [online] Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed 15 Jan. 2023].

[2] Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Sept. 5, 2022. MMDA, Muntinlupa Inaugurate Urban Green Space and Recreational Park. [online] Source link. Available at: Source link [Accessed 15 Jan. 2023].

[3] Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Nov. 29, 2022. MMDA Opens Its 9th Adopt-A-Park Project in Marikina Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023].

[4] Susan De Leon, Philippine Information Agency. February 04, 2022. MMDA launches Adopt-A-Park Project in Valenzuela. Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023].

[5] Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Dec. 2, 2022. MMDA Inaugurates Second Malabon Adopt-A-Park Site. Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023].

[6] Jaleen Ramos, Manila Bulletin. July 26, 2022. Pasig inaugurates new linear park under ‘Adopt-a-Park’ project. Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023].

[7] Jimmyley Guzman, Philippine Information Agency. November 23, 2022. MMDA inaugurates, turns-over Adopt-a-Park project in Navotas. Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023]

[8] Neil Jayson Servallos, The Philippine Star. July 27, 2022. MMDA, Pasig launch rehabilitated park. Available at: Source link [Accessed 5 February. 2023]

Muntinlupa Urban Green Space and Recreational Park

Ref 2.

The newly inaugurated green and recreational park at Bayanan Baywalk in Muntinlupa (Photo from Mayor Ruffy Biazon’s Facebook page)

https://mb.com.ph/2022/09/05/mmda-muntinlupa-lgu-inaugurate-green-space-recreational-park/

Malabon People’s Park in Barangay Catmon

https://twitter.com/MMDA/status/1598623551111602176/photo/2

Information about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the "NBS 2022" UNA Asian extension project funded by the Asia-Europe Foundation.