Iloilo City

Due to its location and proximity to the shoreline, the proposed national road in Arevalo District is prone to coastal flooding and storm surge, notwithstanding the threat of sea-level rise. The current re-blocking and widening of the national road project has relocated the vulnerable informal settlements along the shoreline, but also exposes the infrastructure to climate and weather impacts from the coast.

On the other hand, this national road also provides room for nature-based solutions, and thus opens opportunities for sustainable growth and revitalization of Villa Beach , which was declared a city park by legislation.

Iloilo City has already demonstrated the seemingly impossible initiative of cleaning its waterways through reviving the Iloilo River. The proposal for Iloilo City’s coast hopes to replicate the same approach and collective support as that of the Iloilo River.

A proposed linear park with activity nodes catering to both pedestrian and cyclists will be constructed along the side of the national road fronting the public beach.

This linear park will be divided into different phases aligned to the development of the national road.

The local government seeks to employ multi-stakeholder planning, instead of the typical public consultation method, so that the parks are co-designed with the citizens.

The pilot project is designated to be from the area of Breakthrough Restaurant to John B. Lacson University Foundation with an approximate length of 930 meters. The linear park will be designed to be elevated from the national road providing protection from the threat of coastal flooding and storm surge. Planter boxes or concrete dividers will also be incorporated within the linear park as an additional layer of protection. Native trees shall be incorporated to provide additional shade to the users and to enhance the natural environment along the beach. The vacant lots will be developed into pocket parks allowing more community activities such as picnics and outdoor exercises.

Bolstering the coastal edge in Arevalo District using green-gray infrastructure may unlock multiple benefits including:

• Reduce the impact of flooding and storm surges on key infrastructure, homes, and businesses

• Generate jobs associated with improved economic activity along the shoreline

• Improve pedestrian access to the beach

• Improve the livelihoods of smaller scale fisherfolk

• Improve coastal water quality

Ultimately, the pilot can make a case for the city wide adoption of nature-based strategies to:

• Promote low carbon and inclusive development

• Facilitate Iloilo City’s adaptation to climate change

• Restore the blue carbon ecosystems in Iloilo City