Being in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines features numerous volcanoes and experiences frequent earthquakes. This consistently poses a risk for the country and its residents in vulnerable areas. Mayon Volcano is known for its shape and for being the most active volcano in the Philippines. Mount Mayon Natural Park is considered a protected area under the E-NIPAS Act of 2018 for its rich biodiversity. Despite being protected by the law, there are still reports of human activity in these areas. Cities and municipalities around the volcano rely on agriculture for their livelihood due to environmental conditions favorable for cultivation. However, with frequent evacuation and displacement due to volcanic events, income source is put on pause, leaving local communities with no stable source of income. Moreover, it threatens food security as people rely on agriculture for their main source of subsistence. However, agricultural lands have shown signs of encroachment into the protected area despite local policies and protocols safeguarding the land. This threatens the biodiversity status of the protected area as it experiences land cover change. This study explores livelihood diversification as a strategy to minimize the reliance on agriculture as people’s main livelihood and source of subsistence. Results have shown that off-farm agriculture opportunities are the most suitable livelihood options that are aligned with the principles of biodiversity-friendly enterprises. With income diversification through landscape design development, spatial programming, and biodiversity management strategies, appropriate strategies are identified for specific areas. By doing so, it relieves the pressure on agriculture, addressing threats of encroachment in the protected area. Furthermore, it provides local communities with economic opportunities to stabilize their main livelihoods.

Public transportation is considered the lifeline of cities for the way it efficiently facilitates the movement of thousands of commuters per day. Majority of the Filipino population favor the use of public transportation for its efficiency and affordability. However, infrastructure development continues to be car-centric, putting pedestrians and commuters as secondary users of transportation and their needs as mere afterthoughts. The objective of this study is to develop landscape design and planning guidelines that are focused on mobility and the needs and perception of pedestrians and commuters and is guided by transit-oriented development (TOD) frameworks. Furthermore, it aims to utilize simulation tools to validate the potential impact of development. This study was conducted through the assessment of the current state of public transportation, discussions and interviews on the perception of the stakeholders, and the development of transit-oriented development design and planning guidelines, aided by public transport simulation. Key findings from the data analysis revealed that (1) spatial quality of public transportation landscapes impact the behavior of commuters, (2) lack of pedestrian-focused policies results in neglect of landscape architectural features in transportation infrastructure development, and (3) localized approaches and integrated planning of development relating to transportation lead to greater appreciation and efficiency. From the data gathered, four future development scenarios materialized and were assessed through TOD principles. Zoning and intervention proposals, simulation tests, and a model site for a mixed-use development type were created, promoting public transportation landscapes centered on the needs of pedestrians and commuters.

The city of Meycauayan is a 1st class component city within Bulacan that is known for its industries like jewelry and leather, but the vast number of industries have led to toxic waste pollution along the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS) and the Meycauayan River, which is a health hazard for nearby community members. Its conditions also affect the Manila Bay, a water body of high economic importance in the Philippines. With the knowledge that industrialization is a primary driver for water pollution in the Meycauayan River, the study aims to design a multi-faceted riparian park along the Meycauayan River corridor to mitigate wastewater pollution and improve the water quality of the Meycauayan River. The study analyzed the possible relationship of industries and Meycauayan River water quality through biotope mapping and identification of pollution key points, showing that informal mixed-use zones are the primary contributors of pollution. The possible strategies, technologies, and landscape elements for the park were identified through an ecological evaluation management approach, a key informat interview, and a community survey. The final riparian park design includes water filtration or purification methods, landscape buffers for habitat revival or flood control, and culturally-relevant park systems dedicated to the local community. The study recommends future studies to consider an approach that further involves industries and local government units in both pollution mitigation and initiatives or projects.

Every child has a right to play, regardless of age, abilities, and health conditions. With the rapid urbanization in Metro Manila and the decrease of spaces for children, sedentary behavior attributed to screen time increased, leading to the obesogenic transformation in the country. Obesity, defined by the World Health Organization as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, is a problem experienced globally that presents health risks. As of 2023, Metro Manila had the highest obesity rate in the country at 38.2 percent. The main causes in school children are improper dietary behaviors and the lack of physical activity. This study presents a design solution for an obesity-preventive sports park in Quezon City to provide a space for adequate physical activity in school-age children. The study utilized various research strategies, including site oculars, surveys, interviews, mapping, literature review, computations, and statistical analyses to inform the design output. Energy expenditure was obtained using metabolic equivalents from the Youth Compendium of Physical Activities and is converted to caloric expenditure. Analysis methods included achieving at most 1000 kcal burned and at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) done according to WHO guidelines. The thesis found a significant relationship between landscape features and change in energy expenditure. Similarly, the design was able to influence the time needed to achieve the 1000 kcal maximum threshold. Moreover, all areas and zones support the recommended 60-minute moderate to vigorous physical activity recommendation of the WHO. Therefore, landscape design can effectively increase the energy expenditure in school-age children through play.

As one of the most quickly urbanizing countries in the Pacific region, the Philippines benefits economically, leading to increased productivity and poverty reduction.
However, urbanization also drives changes in local culture, changing the place identity and genius loci of old towns. These changes in urban landscape patterns are observable in the Municipality of Angono in Rizal, often referred to as the “Art Capital of the Philippines” due to its rich creative culture. This thesis explores culture-led regeneration, a concept that utilizes the unique cultural attributes of a city to guide efforts in its cultural upliftment. Through the creation of a cultural district network, the cultural landscape of Angono will be enriched to combat the destructive effects of urbanization, strengthening and preserving its cultural character. Landscape design and management of various cultural elements of Angono creates new cultural experiences to be shared by locals and visitors alike, anchored on the existing attributes of its core cultural area. This was achieved through interviews and surveys with Angono locals to gather their insights on their culture and evoke key cultural experiences. With the residents’ contributions, three spaces in Angono were designed, bringing various existing cultural attributes to the forefront to uplift, enrich, and supplement existing cultural practices. Through the cultural district network, memories and experiences of both people and place are reflected, forming a stronger cultural narrative of the municipality for its residents and in their shared landscape alike.