Three faculty members of the UST College of Architecture presented their research papers during the 28th Annual Manila Studies Conference held at the Mapúa University, Manila. The conference included discussions about the City of Manila, such as history, architecture, urban planning, heritage, among others. Paper presenters were Asst. Prof. Ar. Sylvia D. Clemente, Asst. Prof. Ar. Cecilia May C. Villanueva, and Asst. Prof. Ar. Felicisimo A. Tejuco, Jr., who are also members of the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts, and the Humanities (RCCAH).
In her research “Gentrification in the Sampaloc District in the City of Manila with implications to Land Use Planning,” Clemente recalled how the district of Sampaloc evolved as workingman’s district into an area of residential condominium towers. She added that the City has achieved gentrification, deterioration and its physical carrying capacity pushed to the limits. Lastly, she noted that intervention in the land use policy of the City can help improve the quality of life of Manileños.
Similarly, Villanueva also highlighted the indifference of the residents of Manila which was complicated by the overlapping roles of the national and local officials. In her paper, “Humanism in Urban Design: The Case of the City of Manila, Philippines,” Villanueva stressed the need to organize public-private action, and involving the youth sector.
On the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Second World War (WWII) in the country, Tejuco proposed the preparation of a trail through a tourism master plan. In “Commemorating the Heroes of the Second World War through Heritage Tourism Master Plan,” relevant sites have been laid out for tourists in time for the 75th commemoration of WWII scheduled from October 2019 to July 2020.
The conference was organized by the Manila Studies Association (MSA) under the leadership of its President Ar. Lorelei D. C. De Vianna, Ph.D., who is a faculty of the UST College of Architecture, and President Emeritus Bernardita R. Churchill, Ph.D. At the end of the conference was the turn-over of the presidency of MSA from De Vianna to Mr. Manuel R. Zamaro, Jr. The conference was co-hosted by MSA with the Philippine National Historical Society, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, and the Mapúa University.
