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AROUND
2.6 million more Filipinos are projected to be added to
the already bursting-at-the-seams population of Metro
Manila by 2020, according to the latest report released
by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The ADB
report titled “Managing Asian Cities” is projecting the
population growth rate in Metro Manila to hit around 24
percent from 2006 to 2020. This will also add to the
expectation that the Philippines will have an urban
population of 34.8 million by 2030, or a 67.1-percent
increase
from 2005, and account for 3.2 percent of the country’s
population by that time.
Metro
Manila was identified in the report as one of the six
Asian cities whose population is already equal to the
size of the population in some countries. Using 2005
data, the report said that Metro Manila already had a
population of 10.68 million.
The
other five cities are Shanghai in China with 12.66
million people; Mumbai in India, 18.34 million; Jakarta
in Indonesia, 13.19 million; Bangkok in Thailand, 6.6
million; and Tokyo in Japan, 35.33 million.
The
urban population of East Asia is expected to increase by
an average of 21 million every year between 2006 and
2030, with an annual increase of 17 million in China, 1
million in Vietnam and 0.2 million in the Philippines.
Most of
this growth, the ADB said, will be accommodated on the
urban fringe.
However,
the ADB said neither markets nor the governments provide
the right incentives for sustainable development in
these areas.
The
consequences of this failure are large and many. The ADB
said these consequences include the proliferation of
unserviced informal settlements, development that leaves
existing residents worse off, encroachment on
environmental areas and even more pollution.
“The
circumstances vary sharply between countries. For
example, [China’s] rapid growth, strong institutions and
proactive approach to urbanization are different from
conditions in the Philippines, where there is a general
lack of effective planning control or direction,” the
report stated.
“The
issue is not so much a lack of understanding by
governments, but their priorities and efforts. These
determine outcomes,” the report added.
The
increase in the number of Filipinos residing in the
metropolis, and consequently, the number of the
Philippines’ urban population, is also seen to create or
worsen the current problems of the city on slum
dwelling, pollution and solid- waste management, among
others.
In terms
of pollution, the increase in urbanization will
encourage the building of roads and highways which, in
turn, would increase vehicle ownership and worsen air
pollution.
In Metro
Manila, the ADB report stated that the number of private
vehicles is seen to grow by 12 percent every year and
double every six years.
Due to
these, the ADB said there is an urgent need to foster
sustainable development for Asian cities like Metro
Manila. Failure to do so, the ADB stressed, will not
only significantly endanger the sustainability of living
in these cities but also the planet itself.
The ADB
said that countries, for one, should move for local
government reforms, allowing them more financial room
and authority to implement changes, including structural
improvement that will lift millions out of poverty.
These
changes may include expanding projects that cater to
low-income housing that will not only remove slum
dwellers, but also help increase the chances of cities
to combat the growing threat of poverty and
displacement.
“Fostering sustainable development for Asia’s cities is
one of the most important tasks of the 21st century. New
partnerships with the leaders of self-reliant cities and
new support to dependent cities must be a priority for
national governments, international and local financial
institutions and nongovernment organizations,” the
report stated.
“For
development agencies there can be no more important
objective than this. Failure will result in
environmental depravation and social deprivation for
billions. Taking the action required for coordination
among agencies and for long-term engagement is the
ultimate global public good,” it concluded. |
