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Last Updated on May 2, 2023 by Lamudi
The House of Representatives recently approved the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act, which addresses the challenges of rapid urbanization in the Philippines. Legislators are pushing for the passage of this bill as it will promote sustainable urban development, improve the quality of life for urban residents, and boost the country’s real estate industry. The Act encourages the creation of more eco-friendly and livable urban areas, ensuring that the Philippines keeps pace with global sustainability efforts.
Overview of the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act
The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act is a proposed legislation that aims to promote sustainable urban development in the Philippines. The objectives of the act include improving the quality of life of urban residents, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts, and promoting economic growth and job creation in the sustainable development sector.
The act covers various aspects of urban development, including infrastructure, transportation, waste management, and housing. It also provides incentives for sustainable businesses and industries.
Key Provisions of the Act
Promotion of Green Spaces and Sustainable Infrastructure
The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act promotes the development of green spaces, such as parks and open spaces, to enhance the quality of life of urban residents. The act also encourages the use of sustainable infrastructure, such as green buildings and renewable energy sources, to reduce the environmental impact of urban development.
Encouragement of Public Transportation and Non-Motorized Modes of Transport
The act aims to promote the use of public transportation and non-motorized modes of transport, such as walking and cycling, to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in urban areas. The act also provides incentives for the development of sustainable transportation systems, such as electric vehicles and bike-sharing programs.
Implementation of Waste Reduction and Management Programs
The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act requires the implementation of waste reduction and management programs to improve the waste management system in urban areas. The act promotes the adoption of the waste hierarchy approach, which prioritizes waste reduction, reuse, and recycling over disposal in landfills. The act also promotes the utilization of waste for energy production through the use of innovative technologies.
Provision of Affordable Housing Options
Affordable property developers have been rallying for more support in updating the price ceiling for socialized housing, and the government currently has an audacious plan to address the housing backlog of 6.5 million. The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act aims to provide affordable housing options for low-income families and urban residents. The act provides incentives for the development of socialized housing and mixed-income housing projects. It also promotes the use of sustainable building materials and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of housing development.
Incentives for Sustainable Businesses and Industries
The act provides incentives for sustainable businesses and industries that promote sustainable urban development. These incentives include tax incentives, grants, and other forms of financial support. The act also encourages the adoption of sustainable practices, such as resource efficiency and waste reduction, among businesses and industries.
Impact on Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program
The Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program is a government initiative that aims to provide affordable housing options for low-income families in the Philippines. The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act can complement the program by promoting the development of sustainable and affordable housing options in urban areas. This can benefit low-income families by providing them with safe and healthy living conditions, as well as reducing their transportation costs and improving their access to job opportunities and basic services.
Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program aligns with the goals of the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act. Both programs seek to provide affordable and accessible housing for low-income families. The Pabahay Program also promotes social inclusivity by providing housing for marginalized communities.
The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act, on the other hand, promotes environmental sustainability and economic development through the use of sustainable technologies and the creation of sustainable industries. Some of the real estate hotspots included in Lamudi’s trend report are also included in the locations of the first 1 million housing units of the program.
How Can the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act Benefit Property Buyers, Homeowners, and the Environment?
The Sustainable Cities and Communities Act is expected to have significant benefits for urban areas in the Philippines. These benefits include:
Improved Quality of Life for Urban Residents
The act promotes the development of livable and sustainable urban areas that provide safe and healthy living conditions for residents. This can lead to improved physical and mental health, as well as better access to basic services, such as education, healthcare, and recreation.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Other Environmental Impacts
The act promotes the use of sustainable infrastructure, transportation, and waste management systems, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts of urban development. This can contribute to the Philippines’ efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Boost in Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Sustainable Development Sector
The act provides incentives for sustainable businesses and industries, which can lead to the creation of new job opportunities and economic growth in the sustainable development sector. This can contribute to the Philippines’ efforts to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Enhanced Disaster Resilience and Preparedness
The act promotes the development of disaster-resilient and prepared urban areas that can withstand natural disasters and other hazards. This can reduce the vulnerability of urban areas to disasters and improve their capacity to respond to and recover from disasters.
Potential Challenges and Ways to Address Them
The implementation of the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act may face several challenges, such as funding and resource constraints, capacity building and technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement and participation. These challenges can be addressed through various means, such as increasing public-private partnerships, investing in capacity building and technical expertise, and promoting stakeholder engagement and participation.
The creation of the Sustainable Cities and Communities Act is a significant step towards achieving sustainable urban development in the Philippines. The success of the act depends on the commitment and participation of various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, and urban residents, in promoting sustainable urban development.
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