CRITIQUE ON THE DESIGN AND PLANNING, SERVICES, FINANCING SCHEMES ETC.

As cities around the world struggle with solutions to the housing shortage that
faces many communities, one urban building typology has been floated for decades that might
increase housing units without reducing quality of life: low-rise, high-density. Such is the case for
the Paradise Heights Housing Project in Tondo, Manila initiated by the National Housing Authority
(NHA). It is one of the 11 in-city relocation sites for thousands of families living in creeks and
rivers, or dnger zones threatened by flash floods during heavy rains.

Low-rise, high density social housing combine the best elements of both urban and
suburban development schemes. With the relocation site being Tondo, the Paradise Heights
housing development promises a multitude of public transportation options, access to urban
services, moderate scale, public open space and individualized dwellings. In a limited and highly
dense space within the city, this kind of developments assure that planning is efficient and
functional. However, the uniformity and lack of identity in this type of development may lead to
isolation, lack of community and urban sprawl. Possible problems such as noise and lack of
privacy may ensue. Its public spacebeing genuinely Filipino is a basketball court. This means
that the people doesnt have green space for leisure and repose which is a must in an urban
environment.

The faade of the nine buildings are

plain and simple very much budgeted as for a
government project. They are uniform in design
with no special or significant features. For social
housing development to be truly successful, the
designer must make it somewhere you would
want to stay--- and that is one of the factors the
tenement lacks. It didnt have the sensitivity that
architecture constitutes as a tool for successful
human habitation. The design did not focus on aesthetics nor sustainability; it only found its solace
on its availability for the informal settlers and beneficiaries. It focused more on the practicality and
realistic approach to urban development. Following the building typology of low rise, high density
developments, the tenement provides a total of 970 housing units with an area of 24 square
meters for informal settlers which are all generally safe and decent for living. Paradise Heights
units have tiled bathrooms and kitchen sinks, laundry areas and water sprinklers. Basically, it has
the basic amenities necessary for habitation.
Priority families which were relocated
in Paradise Heights Housing Project are those
coming from Estero de Sunog Apog, Manila,
about two kilometers from the new housing site.
The in-city relocation ensures that the target
market will not have a difficult time adjusting to
the new lifestyle since it is near places of work
and school. Since they year it was initiated as
part of the Php 50 billion Housing Program for
Informal Settlers in Metro Manila, the housing
development has been catering to renters for
Php 1500 a month. Truthfully speaking, the rent is more expensive than the homes in relocation
sites outside the outside the city that costs Php 200 only per month. Despite its affordability for
the middle-class, Php 1500 a month may still be a huge amount for those that lives off minimum
wage in the city.
As many projects have shown us, sensitive architecture must also be combined with
well-financed governing institutions and deeply involved community organizations to become
effective for their purpose.