WEAK FOUNDATION
The Philippine Typhoon
#building vs #nature #climate #science
The Philippines faces some of the world’s most intense typhoons. Cities like Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo are vulnerable not just because of geography—but because of how we’ve built around it. The challenge isn’t just engineering—it’s political will, public awareness, and long-term vision.
We echo a growing consensus among urban planners, climate scientists, and disaster risk experts into the deeper look at why this matters so much in the Philippines.
Why urban design fuels disaster is the encroachment on natural floodplains: Many communities are built along rivers and coastlines, areas naturally prone to flooding. These zones once absorbed excess water, but now they’re densely populated.
Filpinos love cement which creates loss of permeable surfaces.Concrete and asphalt prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Instead, water rushes into drainage systems that are often outdated or overwhelmed.
Filpinos fondbess for channelized waterways. Rivers boxed in by embankments and culverts lose their ability to spread out and slow down. When extreme rain hits, these artificial channels overflow catastrophically.
We have poor drainage infrastructure.In many cities, drainage systems are clogged, undersized, or poorly maintained. This turns even moderate rainfall into flash floods.
There are smarter, nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure like parks, wetlands, and green roofs absorb rainwater and reduce runoff. They also cool cities and improve air quality.
We need urban planning with setbacks in keeping development away from flood-prone zones and enforcing buffer zones around waterways can save lives.
Also we make rainwater harvesting and permeable pavements as these reduce pressure on drainage systems and help recharge groundwater.
Further, we create community-based disaster planning by empowering local communities with knowledge and resources to prepare and respond can dramatically reduce casualties.
