CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1

Background of the Study

The center of gravity of all commercial activities in the coming years. World Bank

Quezon City is one of the most populous city in the Philippines. It is one of the cities that
make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region of the Philippines. As a community, it is
famous for its highly developed lands and multiple pocket CBDs, like Araneta Center in Cubao
and Eastwood City in Libis. Although these pocket CBDs are small and not comprehensive,
Quezon City never fails to impress its people in providing their needs.

Developing highly urbanized cities is one of the global trends that has been well-known
by architects and architecture-enthusiasts here in the Philippines. Quezon City is one of the
cities that has a potential to be one, like Makati and Bonifacio Global City. It was originally
planned as a residential, educational and government institutions' district. Among the cities in
Metro Manila, it has the best urban and residential zoning plan. It also has ample real estate for
future developments. A few years back, the city's local government has decided to utilize these
available real properties in the city to build its very own comprehensive commercial and
business district that is comparable, if not better than the best CBD's in Metro Manila. The
Quezon City local government, together with the National Housing Authority, which owns most
of the real properties for development, have planned the establishment of Quezon City's Central
Business District called the Triangle Park.

Triangle Park, or formally known as the Quezon City-CBD, is a long term city
development plan that is set to develop a massive land into a world-class, transit-oriented,
walkable community with pockets of land utilizing business-related developments, residences,
institutions, commercial and retail buildings, recreational and mixed-use developments. The
triangular area of the proposed CBD is formed by 3 distant points, Trinoma, GMA-Kamuning
and Elliptical Road; three transit stations are located along the span from Trinoma and GMAKamuning.

In line with the long term city development of Quezon City, the researchers propose to
introduce a high-rise, mixed-use, transit-oriented development with great emphasis on
commercial, office, and residential uses, integrated with high-class building materials and
environmental systems that will address the city's needs. The site chosen by the researchers is
a corner lot located along intersection of EDSA Avenue and East Avenue.

The proposal project for Quezon City is a high-rise, mixed-use, transit-oriented

development that will cater the needs of both local and foreign proponents residing near or
inside Quezon City community. The high-rise building will showcase leisure of interactive
recreational spaces, commercial, office spaces and residential units. The developments
inhabitants will experience modern building advancements through the integration of green
building principles that pertains to the Quezon City Green Building Rating System and highclass technology which will give prestige not just to the building itself but also to Quezon City.
Through this, lifestyle and business will be integrated and will contribute greatly to the Triangle
Park of Quezon City.

This project is set to create a new standard for high-rise, mixed-used, transit-oriented
development, redefining the current atmosphere provided by developments similar in other
Metropolitan areascreating a more communal living. The building will also serve as an iconic
structure resembling the integrity of Quezon City.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Developing highly urbanized cities is a global trend that is admired by most people
engaged in the field of architecture and urban planning. In order for Triangle Park to flourish as
a highly urbanized community, there will be a need of conglomeration of developments, from
small scale to large scale. The main concern of this research is:
In what way the development contribute to the needs of housing, work and promoting
healthy lifestyle to its users?

To create an appropriate solution for the development, the project needs to establish a response
to the following sub problems:

 What kind of design strategies to be integrated in the development to promote a safety,

walkable and car-free environment?
In what manner the proposed development will improve the transportation mode in Quezon
City?
What are the latest technologies and design approach to be utilize to improve air quality along
EDSA and to promote a smoke-free surroundings.

1.3 Significance of the Study

The proposed project will have a great impact on the people of Quezon City and other
remote cities yearning for a travel-friendly, high-class living place. This study is also important as
it is expected to contribute to the long-term city development of Quezon City as well as
architects and urban planners engaged in the development industry to take a look at the
possible solutions that would transform and create highly urbanized cities. This study can also
be applied on the developed and developing urban areas that will bring a great solution on
increasing demand on housing and economic and business-related issues of the country.

1.4 Goals and Objectives

1.4.1 Goal
The main goal of this project is to create a mixed-use transit-oriented development that will
showcase the integrity of Quezon City as a highly urbanized community and address the most
of the needs of the people. The key design feature will provide a convenient way of living and
sustaining utmost opportunity on this proposed high-rise, mixed-use, transit-oriented
development that will become an important part of the Triangle Park and withstand for the future
development of CBD of Quezon City.

1.4.2 Objectives

To provide green open spaces, bike lanes and walkable sidewalks in the

development in order to achieve an active and enjoyable environment.

To integrate the users within the nearest mode of transportation thus reducing their travel

time different locations in the Metro Manila.

To be able to utilize green building materials to the building skin or building envelope
which improves air quality and strictly implementing a smoke-free development thus
reducing Air Pollution within the area.

1.5 Scope and Delimitations of the Study

1.5.1 Scope
The scope of this proposal will concentrate on developing a high-rise, mixed-use, transitoriented development which is integrated with high class building materials and modern
advancements. This will study the effectiveness of transit-oriented community. Proper access to
the development shall be considered because of the relationship of different spaces in a mixed
use. The study will find different basis in designing the proposed project and provide data/tables
to substantiate all architectural and environmental system that are going to be used in the
development.

1.5.2 Delimitations
The research delimits itself on providing solutions in creating a high urbanized city, also
the integration of various uses in a single development. But a sure thing is that the study will set
a foundation for a high rise mixed use transit-oriented development. The research also delimits
its study on some performing organization like design and planning process of the development.
The structural analysis, the electrical and mechanical computation and consumption will not be
part of the components of the said research.

1.6 Justification of the Study

The research aims to study the issue on transforming a parcel of land into a high rise
mixed use transit-oriented development. This study will provide in-depth research on the core
issue and insinuate appropriate solutions according to the data to be gathered and analyzed.
Researchers will bring ideas and techniques that will contribute both the proposed development
and Quezon City. A high rise mixed-use transit-oriented development incorporated with high

class building materials and modern advancement could make the proposed project a
benchmark for the Triangle Park. The propose development and its elements will be further
discussed within this research.

1.7 Definition of Terms, Abbreviations and Concepts

1.7.1 Definition of Terms
Mixed Use Building- A real estate project with planned integration of some combination of
retail, office, residential, hotel, recreation or other functions. It can be transit-oriented or
pedestrian-oriented or both and contains elements of a live-work-play environment.
High-rise Building- A multi-storey building which ranges to 16th up to 60th floor.
Transit-oriented Development- a type of development wherein a transit station is located
within the vicinity
Special Urban Development Zone- a land use which can utilize any type of urban
development
Land Use- different zoning of lands specializing a specific use, i.e. Residential, Commercial,
Institutional, Retail, Parks and open spaces.

1.7.2 Abbreviations
QC-CBD Quezon City Central Business District
QCGBC Quezon City Green Building Council
MRT Metro Rail Transit
EDSA- Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue