A Design Competition: Developing the Lumban Delta as an Eco-Tourism Site

Project Rationale

Architects are part scientist-mathematicians and part artists.  This project allows students an expression for both aspects – providing a venue for the college to showcase its talents.  The organization at the same time is able to contribute to a greater cause – the protection and building of a sustainable environment.  The building of the Filipino Community through a sustainable cycle is not only the responsibility of adults.  The Youth will one day be the heirs to this treasure and it is the interest of all that their participation in this process be at its earliest stage.  Through the execution of this project, a greater awareness of the need to a sustainable future by a greater number of people – specifically students, who are the recipient of the hard work adults are putting in to ensure our bright future – shall be realized.

Project Concept

Eco-tourism is a sustainable prospect for the future of our country. The specific eco-tourism site of this project will increase economic activity in its catchment area, alleviating the local inhabitants’ poverty and thereby increasing the capability of the community to help preserve, protect, conserve, sustain, and limit stress on the catchment area.  The project will strive to produce a sustainable cycle from the creation of jobs, means of living and healthy lifestyle.  The project bears in mind the important factor that is Laguna Lake which is its main water resource.  The proponents believe in the participatory approach, in all levels, in finding a solution that is sensitive to all social and cultural diversity.  Stressing the finite quantity of fresh water, its vulnerability and its infinite-renewal ability through sustainable management.  The proponents believe that the solution will be a balance of the competing needs of economy, society, and environment.

Lumban Delta, the project site

Project Objectives

  • To create awareness among college students on sustainability in the fields of architecture, tourism, and the environment.
  • To showcase the talents of architecture, landscape architecture and interior design students.
  • To encourage the youth, particularly college students, to be an active participant in the building of a sustainable future.
  • To promote the participatory approach for all stakeholders of a particular project.

Major activities under the competition are the following:

Launching of the Competition and Symposium on A Sustainable Future
in Architecture, Environment and Eco-Tourism

The official launching of the competition was in the form of a  Symposium entitled  “A Sustainable Future in Architecture, Environment, and Eco-tourism” which was held on 30 November 2004 at the 3rd Floor of  Melchor Hall Theater, Melchor Hall Building, University of the Philippines – Diliman.  It was attended by more than 300 students from universities and colleges around the country.  The Launching was composed of two parts, the first was a symposium of selected topics to give the students and the contestants an introduction to and context on sustainable development, green architecture and successful eco-tourism sites, while, the second part is the competition introduction proper, where the contestants were briefed on the rules and guidelines of the design competition.

The objectives of the Symposium are:

  • To create awareness among college students on sustainability in the fields of architecture, tourism, and the environment.
    • Awareness in Green Architecture
    • Awareness in environmentally-sound planning
    • Awareness in Sustainable Development Principles
  • To encourage the youth, particularly college students, to be an active participant in the building of a sustainable future.
  • To promote eco-tourism as a environmentally-compatible economic activity.

The symposium speakers were –

  • Arch. Joven Ignacio on “The Role of Green Architecture in Eco-Tourism”
  • Arch. Requito Bellosillo on “Environmental Planning”
  • Mr. Carlos Libosada on “Eco-Tourism & Architecture”
  • Arch. Zenaida Galingan on “Landscape Architecture for Eco-Tourism”
  • Ms. Felice Prudente-Santamaria on “Laguna Culture and Identity”

 


Field Visit

The Field Visit was a follow-up activity to the Launching and Symposium, giving the contestants the opportunity to observe first-hand the culture of Lumban, the beauty of its environment, and the architectural characteristics of the area.  The contestants were also introduced to the people of Lumban – the beneficiary of the project.  The Field Visit was in preparation for design concepts required to be submitted by each team.

The Field visit was held on December 11, 2004.  Two buses carried a total of 128 students, 2 professors, and 5 organizers.  Upon arriving at the Lumban Municipal Hall, they were welcomed by the Municipal Planning and Development Officer, Mr. Sotero Himoc.  The contestants then went to Kalayaan Ridge which overlooks the Lumban Delta and Mr. Himoc gave a lecture on the geographical nature of the site.  After lunch at the Municipal Hall, the contestants took a  boat ride to the site. The contestants were given an hour to tour the town and get a glimpse of Lumban’s unique town life.

The next phase in the competition was the submission of the required design concepts wherein each team illustrated in details through sketches, drawings, and text their concept of the proposed Eco-Tourism site.           more about it >>