Resilience to natural disasters and sustainability are guiding planning for a new 23,350-acre city on the site of Clark Air Base in the Philippines.
The Philippines, vulnerable to typhoons and earthquakes among other calamities, is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth. Resiliency for the new city, expected to eventually house 1.2 million people, begins with its location where the lowest point will be more than 177 feet above sea level.
Only a third of the city’s land will be developed—the rest reserved for green spaces and agriculture, which will improve drainage and reduce flooding. Development will be sited away from earthquake fault lines. Developers will use concrete mixed with a local organic building material that will withstand shaking better than conventional concrete.
The city will be pedestrian-friendly with efficient mass transportation. One commentator remarked that “the right metaphor for Clark is iCloud—a backup for when Manila fails.” The development is expected to take 25 to 30 years to complete.
Related Stories
| Nov 20, 2014
ANSI approves 2015 Wood-Frame Construction Manual standard
The American Wood Council's 2015 “Wood-Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings” (WFCM ) has been approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
| Nov 17, 2014
AAMA releases new blast hazard mitigation specifications for vertical fenestration systems
This document provides a guide for manufacturers, architects/specifiers, contractors, and building owners for specifying types of systems and services to meet the requirements of blast hazard mitigation.
| Nov 17, 2014
National Roofing Contractors Assn. offers guide for LEED v4 provisions
National Roofing Contractors Association has released LEED v4: Roofing-related Provisions, a document that examines the roofing-related provisions of LEED v4.
| Nov 14, 2014
Army net-zero initiative moving past pilot stage
The U.S Army's ambitious net-zero initiative has had several successful pilot trials, and planners are prepared to expand the nine-part demonstration field to scores of other Army facilities.
| Nov 14, 2014
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson works to upgrade China’s building codes
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson is today focused on making new construction in China more energy efficient by working with leaders to upgrade building codes.
| Nov 14, 2014
California aims for 20% reduction in water consumption by 2020
California’s comprehensive new water use plan makes conservation a priority, reinforcing a 2009 plan to reduce statewide per capita water consumption by 20% by 2020.
| Nov 6, 2014
Demountable structural steel could up the ante on sustainability
Demountable structural steel assemblies would be a greener way to make use of steel in the construction industry than recycling.
K-12 Schools | Nov 6, 2014
New Sandy Hook school features could influence security standards
The design of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School on the site of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school shooting features enhanced security measures—some subtle and others more prominent.
| Nov 6, 2014
OSHA seeking input on electrical standards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reviewing electrical standards for the construction industry to make sure proper safeguards are in place as electrical wiring is being installed and maintained.
Smart Buildings | Oct 30, 2014
Energy Department pledges $9 million for energy efficiency improvements on commercial buildings
The U.S. Dept. of Energy will spend $9 million to encourage investments in energy-saving technologies that can be tested and deployed in offices, shops, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and other types of commercial buildings.