Tactical Urbanism for Gender-Inclusive Streets

Transcript

Ephrat Yovel

Gender and Urban Governance Specialist

ADB consultant

The streets are the most visible public space that any city has. Successful cities, they have commercial centers that work, but they also have networks of places and pathways that people can walk to. But when you look at how the streets are designed, you can tell that they were designed for cars and not for people.

Saripa Muntia

El Nido Resident

Here, there is only one way for people. There is only one lane for vehicles. The problem is that the road is congested. Every time I pass by, I’m afraid I’ll be hit by a car. Nobody went there after dark. It’s too scary.

The Asian Development Bank, with funding from the Urban Climate Change and Resilience Trust Fund, worked in partnership with the municipalities of El Nido and Coron in Palawan, among the busiest travel destinations in the Philippines, on gender-inclusive urban governance and urban planning. Coron and El Nido are among the most populous urban areas in Palawan. Urbanization and increasing tourism are exerting pressure, among others, through traffic and congestion, increasing built-up areas, and limitations in solid waste management capacities. 

Malika Shagazatova

Social Development Specialist (Gender)

Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC)

Asian Development Bank

The tactical urbanism exercise was designed to complement and further build on knowledge gained from training on gender-inclusive urban planning and governance which we have provided under this UCCRTF-funded project.  This project supported initiative allowed us to engage with local communities and apply quick, creative, and inexpensive gender-responsive solutions for urban spaces.

Saripa Muntia

El Nido Resident

We noticed that our roads improved since they have been painted. Even in the dark, we can clearly see the humps and the painted pavements. 

Cecille Payabyab

Resident, El Nido, Palawan

The roads are now safe for children which is especially important to me because I have a school-aged child.  We can walk safely even at night.

Rachel Cruz

Vice President, Women’s Association Bgy 5, Coron, Palawan

Passers-by are no longer afraid to walk down these streets because of the lovely visuals. The children at this school will be happy to see that there are beautiful works of art created by our artists.

Virginia Cuesta

Project Manager, Womens Association, Bgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan

Change, of course, starts with us – with the people, with the community. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished, especially since I was one of the people who painted it.  Even though it’s tiring, I’m happy because I was the one who created it.  I can see that our output is beautiful.

We have seen how people can unite and work together.  That’s the important thing. And they work for free, without expecting anything in return.

Annabelle Asutilla

Women’s Association President Coron, Palawan

We realized that we can do it, too.  Things can be achieved in the spirit of bayanihan.  We realized that we were able to work together to beautify our barangay.

Edna Gacot-Lim

Municipal Mayor, El Nido, Palawan

That’s where I saw the participation of each organization. The women, the seniors, and the other volunteers. 

Jackielyn Suniga

SK Chairperson, Bgy. 5

Coron, Palawan

Because of this ADB initiative, we can now continue this project.  Not only in this area, but in other parts of our barangay. 

Rachel Cruz

Vice President, Women’s Association Bgy 5, Coron, Palawan

From the bottom of our hearts, we are very grateful.

Thank you very much.