7 . Protection and Prevention of Natural Resources ( Destruction )
7.1 Metro Manila Current Practices Metro Manila , a popular region in the Philippines , it includes governmental sectors and other metropolitan cities ; presenting the highest population density , 43,079.38 per km2 . One of the metropolitan cities , is the city of Manila , overall consists of clusters of high-rise buildings , towers , universities , and other famous shopping malls in the city center , as shown earlier in Figure 2 . On the other hand , smaller buildings and houses occupy the rest of the areas . These low building structures and housings are most likely the ones that would be affected by floods and natural disasters , which take place in the city . This study is using a single area “ compound ” of a small housing project in order to improve their performance and to meet a higher level of sustainable design , by also focusing on their current and future practices .
7.2 Sustainable Usage of Housing Land Metro Manila is an area that consists of buildings and homes of different sizes and heights . In general , the most areas that were affected by floods are areas of low height buildings and houses . On the other hand , tall buildings are less affected and they are considered as safer shelters . Thus , redesigning areas of single-story homes to multiple story buildings would majorly affect and help positively to reduce natural disaster impacts . Considering houses of single stories , illustrated in Figure 4 below , a compound of an approximate area of 600 square meters ( sqm ), including four single story houses per compound , which makes it a ratio of 4:4 is full filling the whole area . While redesigning the same occupancy area with single and multiple story buildings , decreases the ratio to 1:4 and allows 3:4 ratio for other services and spaces . This division reduces land occupancy and helps reducing the risk of house flood damages where three houses are considered in a safe zone while only one lower level is in risk .
Figure 4 : Top view , housing compound sample , 4:4 housing area , no housing services , single-story level ( left ), 1:4 housing area , 3:4 housing services , multi-story houses ( right )
Nevertheless , multiple story buildings still lack efficiency and protect their users from massive amounts of water entering homes during high flood activities . Because ground level and subways are still affected and cannot be accessible , as shown in Figure 5 below ; lower building story , and other services and subways are majorly affected , and must be carefully studied .
Flood water level
Figure 5 : Elevation view , housing compound sample , 1:4 housing area , 3:4 housing services , multi-story houses
140 ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce , Italy