CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

CASE STUDY
MARIKINA CITY
Allas . arceo . patolot . zaldivar
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

HISTORY
How Marikina Became a City
Mayor Bayani F. Fernando took office in 1992 determined to see Marikina become a
city during his watch. It could have been a city in 1994 when it qualified, but no
initiative was taken in the House of Representatives.

Today Marikina City is a multi-awarded metropolitan city, often lauded for its vibrant
business life, highly skilled workforce, and a responsive local government that puts a
premium on governance, sustainable urban development and public service.

Marikina Has Two Districts

President Gloria M. Arroyo approved on Dec. 15, 2006 Republic Act No. 9364, an act
amending Section 10 and 53 of RA 8223, creating two congressional districts in
Marikina City. The move validates Marikina’s status as a formidable city with a high
potential for further growth and progress. District I comprise of nine (9) barangays,
namely: Barangka, Tañong, Jesus dela Peña, Industrial Valley Complex,
Kalumpang, San Roque, Sta. Elena, Sto. Niño and Malanday, while seven (7)
barangays comprise the second district, namely, Concepcion I, Concepcion II,
Nangka, Parang, Marikina Heights, Fortune, and Tumana.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

GEOGRAPHY
Location
Marikina, a lush valley bounded by mountain ranges and sliced by a river, is one of the
14 cities and three municipalities comprising the Metro Manila area. It is approximately
21 kilometers away from Manila.
It is bounded on the east by the Sierra Madre mountains and Antipolo City; on the
west by the hills of Quezon City; on the north by San Mateo; and on the south by Pasig
City and the municipality of Cainta.

Land Area
The total land area of Marikina is approximately 2,150 hectares. This represents about
3.42% of the total land area of Metro Manila. At present, the city is composed of 16
barangays.

Land Use
Loyola Grand Villas, located at the northwest portion of the city is a rich gated community that occupies upper-middle class and rich residential
areas. Barangay Sta. Elena represents as Poblacion or the center of Marikina. At present, it comprises 38% residential,
19% commercial and industrial, 17% Roads, 8% Mixed-use, 18% for parks and open spaces, development
areas, institutional, cemeteries and others.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

CLIMATE Temperature

Marikina features a tropical monsoon climate. Its proximity to the equator

means that the temperature range is very small, rarely going lower than
18 °C (64 °F) and going higher than 38 °C (100 °F).

Climate data for Marikina, Philippines

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year

29 29 31 33 34 34 33 31 31 31 31 31 32
Average high °C (°F)
(84) (84) (88) (91) (93) (93) (91) (88) (88) (88) (88) (88) (90)

20 20 21 22 23 24 24 24 24 24 23 21 22
Average low °C (°F)
(68) (68) (70) (72) (73) (75) (75) (75) (75) (75) (73) (70) (72)

25.4 25.4 38.1 25.4 38.1 127 254 431.8 406.4 355.6 203.2 152.4 2,082.8
Precipitation mm (inches)
(1) (1) (1.5) (1) (1.5) (5) (10) (17) (16) (14) (8) (6) (82)

Source: Pagasa DOST

Humidity levels are usually very high which makes it feel much warmer;
especially the city lies in the valley. It has a distinct, relatively short dry
season from January through May, and a relatively lengthy wet season from
June up to December.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Precipitation Wind

The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded The average daily wind speed in December has been around 3 km/h,
at around 87 mm, that's 3 inches. Throughout the month you can that’s the equivalent to about 2 mph, or 2 knots. In recent years the
expect to see rain or drizzle falling on 11 days of the month. maximum sustained wind speed has reached 46 km/h, that’s the equivalent
of around 29 mph, or 25 knots.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

COMPONENTS
What are the principal component districts of the city?
The first district encompasses the southern section of the city, while
the second district encompasses the northern section.

Where do they begin and end? What are their

characteristics as defined physically and as the activity?
Marikina is bounded on the east by the Sierra Madre Mountains and
Antipolo City; on the west by the hills of Quezon City; on the north by
San Mateo; and on the south by Pasig City and the municipality of
Cainta. The south portion of the city occupies the numerous
commercial, industrial and residential areas, heritage sites and mixed
use zones, while the north and northeast portion are primarily for
residential and industrial zones, and various establishments such
as small and medium enterprises
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

What is the size of the district? Its shape, density, texture, landmarks, space?
Marikina is a lush valley bounded by mountain ranges and sliced by a river. The total land area of Marikina is approximately 2,150
hectares. This represents about 3.42% of the total land area of Metro Manila.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

APPEARANCE
What are the characteristic of the building form? Building density? Signs? Materials, greenery, topography, route
pattern landmarks
Since Marikina is primarily a valley nestled between mountain ranges and rolling hills, its topography is generally characterized to be level,
with only a mildly sloping portion. Type A slopes cover about 1,569 hectares or 71% of the total land area of Marikina, which is highly suitable
for and tolerant to mechanized farming and urban development in the western and central sections of the city. The rest of the slopes are fairly
tolerant to development although prone to erosion and land slippage.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

What is the nature of the mixture of different building types?

In different parts of the city, there is this certain mixture of different building types. It can be shown that structures for business, residential,
commercial, alongside with churches and terminals are always grouped together. These relationships of structures are well-planned because of
the huge accessibility for the community as well as for transportation.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

ACTIVITY
What are the principal clues of the activity of the area? The kinds of people, when
and how the move about?
Marikina is composed mostly of residential structures but it offers various family-friendly sites
which are good for picnics, shopping, dining, biking, and strolling. The people living in the city vary
from low to high class people wherein some go out of town for work while others work and have
their own businesses within town.

What are the key visual elements? The things principally seen-which
establish the character of the place.
Marikina normally has side-walks and bike lanes. The colours green and yellow painted on
most parts of the city such as the barriers, posts and walls, the Marikina River itself,
personifies the city. The colours on the other hand, depend on the preferences of the city
mayor.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Threats; what are the threats of the districts?

Marikina is prone to many various disasters including the 2009 Typhoon Ketsana and several southwest monsoon flooding such as 2012
Habagat. Flash floods and landslides are frequent in Marikina especially when struck by heavy rains. Primarily, flooding within Marikina is
caused by the increase of water level in major rivers and its tributaries, followed by overflowing from its riverbanks to low-lying areas
throughout the city. Landslides are another threat, particularly at the foot of the higher grounds.

Another major threats are earthquakes in Marikina. West Valley Fault System, known before as Marikina Valley Fault Line lies at the west
of Marikina, the east of the fault line constantly sinking which the large portion of Marikina is included. It generates as the epicenter of the
earthquake is in Marikina itself if the earthquake struck.
CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

What are the external elements, such as a through road, threaten the health and
survival of the district?
 Presence of sidewalk vendors – it destroy the beauty of the city and create an unpleasant
scene for tourists.
 Informal settlers- informal settlements along the Marikina River have often viewed as a
source of pollution and disease in the city.

How is the district changing? Is it changing its position?

Marikina gets better and better each year in spite of the catastrophe and calamity it
went through. It is open to new technology which allowed the city growth to better
serve its purpose. There have been great changes throughout the years
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

RELATION
How do all these parts relate to each other and especially to the route patterns of the entire city?
The layout of the streets is well organized and it makes the travelers find it easy to move and go around places in the city.

What are the areas in a city that cannot be classified easily?

All the streets around the city can be classified easily. Street signs are found posted at intersections, and are usually in
perpendicularly oriented pairs identifying each of the crossing streets.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

SURVEYING THE VISUAL ASPECT OF A CITY

FORM
What is the physical form of the place-form and structure in three dimensions and broad outline?
Spacing of the building? How does it vary?
Many of the buildings/structures in the city were medium-rise because the city lies on a fault line and also the spacing of
the buildings are sufficient.

What is the density and character of the building?

There are few structures that were built during the Spanish period that are still present in the city and now considered as
tourist attractions because of its Spanish Colonial Architecture. Unlike other cities in Metro Manila, there are no skyscrapers
or high-rise buildings in the city.

Greenery of the Place

There are trees along the sidewalks that make the street look more attractive. Street trees also provide numerous concrete
benefits to residents in terms of property values, traffic calming, pedestrian friendliness, and crime reduction.

Describe the paving, the sign, night lighting, how uniform how varied, can the district be further
dissected into meaningful places within it?
There are lot of road signs in the city that are placed in specific areas to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
Streets/roads and bike lanes are paved with asphalt and concrete, and sidewalks are also concrete-paved and some has good
design and tiles.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Physical patterns and linear and focal points of urban spaces

Small parks and monuments are also placed near the street and crowded places that helps people to orient themselves in
the city and helps identify an area.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

ACTIVITY
What do the people do there?
People often come for business (shoe industry, restaurants, public market, etc).
Marikina is slowly becoming popular for its unique restaurants that attract people
to dine in the city. The Marikina Sports Centr e is also a favourite events venue.

How does architecture and district serve the people? What are the
natural groupings and different activities within the district?
Almost all commercial establishments and public places (like hospital, fast food
chains, sports center, municipal building, parks, public market, schools, etc.) are
built along/near the major road.
How does the activity pattern change according to time of the day, week or season?
The busiest time of the day in the city is during the daytime because people are going to the market and other commercial
establishments. Traffic congestion occurs in rush hours at early morning and at night. The activity pattern also changes every
time there are events in the Sports Center.

How lively are the central city areas?

The center of the city is alive because this is where all the places/services needed by the people are located.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

FEATURES
Landmarks
 Prominent visual features of the city.

 Some are very large and seen at great

distances.

 Some are very small and can only be

seen close up.

 Help people to orient themselves in the

city and help identify an area.

 Point of reference that distinguishes a

certain district over others.

 A recognizable natural or man-made

feature used for navigation.

 A feature that stands out from its near

environment and is often visible from
long distances.
CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Is a Spanish-era church
located along J. P. Rizal An open public park and
Street. It is the center of signature landmark of
Roman Catholicism in Marikina located at the corner
Marikina. Shoe Avenue and Sumulong
Highway.

OUR LADY OF ABANDONED CHURCH CITYHOOD PARK

It houses about 800 pairs of

shoes, slippers and boots It is one of the premier sports
belonging to former First complex established in
Lady Imelda Marcos. the Philippines and touted as
"the first of its kind in Asia" in
early 1970s

SHOE MUSEUM MARIKINA SPORTS CENTER

This is the center of Condominium buildings in

performing arts of Marikina Marikina that is attractive
and eastern Metro Manila. because of its unique
architectural style.

TEATRO MARIKINA MARQUINTON RESIDENCES

CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Inside this 200 year old building

can be found Doll Museum,
Blue Wave Mall Marikina is Marikina City’s museum. This
located in the Marquinton building is now the center of
compound. culture and arts of Marikina

Metro Manila's cleanest

market is Marikina Public
Market

PLAZAS & PARKS PLAZAS & PARKS

PLAZAS & PARKS

 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

PATHS
HIERARCHY OF STREETS
Marikina is located at the eastern border of
Metro Manila and it is the main gateway
to Rizal Province and as far as Quezon
Province. Marikina-Infanta Road, popularly
known as Marcos Highway, is the main
highway east of Metro Manila connecting
Marikina and other surrounding cities such
as Quezon City, Pasig City, Antipolo
City and Cainta.

Other main roads that connected to Marikina,

such as A. Bonifacio Avenue and Riverbanks
Avenue-C5 Access Road connects to Quezon
City]], J. P. Rizal Street and Fortune Avenue
connects to San Mateo, Sumulong Highway
connects to Cainta and Antipolo City, and Gil
Fernando Avenue connects Pasig
City and Cainta.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

What are the principal paths of movements in a district?

The city possesses Major and minor roads for vehicles. Adequate sidewalks are
also provided to stand up for the city’s claim to be “A Walkable City”. There are also
allies mostly in the residential areas. The city is also one of the few cities that have
bike lanes which attract bike enthusiasts and common people to just use their
bicycles from going one place to another.

How are they differentiated? How well do they connect to the larger
network of paths?
Marikina is located at the eastern border of Metro Manila and it is the main
gateway to Rizal Province and as far as Quezon Province. Marikina-Infanta Road,
popularly known as Marcos Highway, is the main highway east of Metro Manila
connecting Marikina and other surrounding cities such as Quezon City, Pasig
City, Antipolo City and Cainta.

Other main roads that connected to Marikina, such as A. Bonifacio Avenue and
Riverbanks Avenue-C5 Access Road connects to Quezon City]], J. P. Rizal Street
and Fortune Avenue connects to San Mateo, Sumulong Highway connects to Cainta
and Antipolo City, and Gil Fernando Avenue connects Pasig City and Cainta.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

How well do they serve the people?

The roads are organized around a set of long narrow and circumferential roads that
radiate and circle in and around the city. Traffic lights and marked pedestrian crossings
are also found at intersections and near the public places. Sidewalks along major roads
have fences and concrete paved. But not all sidewalks have ramps for PWDs.

Are the actual physical dimensions of the paths adequate or excessive?

How do they determine the physical limits of the districts?
The roads are wide enough but still, congestion occurs especially during rush hours.
There are some sidewalks that are paved with good design, have signages and follow the
minimum design requirement. But there are few that are narrow, not well-designed for
PWDs and have sidewalk vendors.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

BIKEWAYS
It is a 66 kms. Of bicycles trails and designated lanes
that are safe, well-paved and lighted with appropriate
signages, informative directions and parking facilities
connecting strategic areas in the city to major transport
terminals and urban facilities.

It increases community acceptance and/or major

preference of using bicycles and non-motorized
transport as alternative transport mode for intra-city
trips

It connects residential communities with schools,

employment centers, train station, and other public
transport terminals.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Link to Commercial Establishments Link to Hospital Link to School

Link to Public Market Link to Government Offices

CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

PHYSIOGRAPHY ZONES NEWTOWN ZONE (Ibayo)

CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

City center zone (poblacion)

CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

FOOTHILLS ZONE (BUNDOK)

CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Riverside zone (tabing-ilog)

 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

CENTER
What are the features of the district that serve as symbolic civic role?
The municipality hall of the city is perhaps the busiest building in the city. People usually come and go
which makes it a best place for exhibits and other events such as concerts that are done on an open area
just outside the city hall. (Picture city hall)

“Maria Cuina” Statue

It has been told that a young lady possessing admirable qualities is living in the barrio. Her wit in running a
business made her so wealthy that her fame had been acknowledged in the whole town of Manila. It is said
that the name of the city is possibly from hers, “Marquina”.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

INTRUSIONS
What are the intrusions and detrimental features of a district?
Despite of the beauty that the city exhibits, there are still flaws that generate discomfort. The narrow roads
of the city lose its efficiency when the traffic is heavy. Structures built in the early years don’t have setbacks
which makes a part seem crowded. And since there are no setbacks, half of the roads were converted into
parking areas.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

CHANGE
How is the district changing both in the internal and periphery to change?
The district of Marikina changes internally in complexity. Continual services needed by man are found at the center of the district. Public
markets, health services, security services and etc. are all provided making it a complex district. Immediate needs are just nearby for
consumers. Internally the district becomes more modernized, with a contemporary urban design and is properly zoned. Periphery areas of the
district changes take gradual development and tend to be underdeveloped.

Is there a direction of growth?

The district’s growth starts from the interior, further reaching its outer edges for development. Progress is evident in the center of the district,
compared to its outlying areas which need improvements especially in accessibility.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

IMPROVEMENT
What weakness do you see?
Marikina is a flood prone area, having its residence, or the man power at stake each time a strong typhoon struck the area. This scenario
would start depletion on the district’s economic growth, due to a low productivity rate. The increasing growth of informal settlers in Nangka,
Marikina would pose a threat to the safety of the people.

What differences do you find between districts?

Districts differ in economic stability. Marikina, a district which undergone further development and improvement, continues to grow, uses its
available resources to fund for different projects. Districts differ in the way they are planned, not all of the districts have their central business
district on center, and some districts have their center for economic growth on the extents of the district.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

VACANT SPACES
Grand Transport Terminal System
Our group visited the district of Marikina for three times. For these visits we
discovered traffic is a major problem especially during rush hours. One of the
busiest roads in Marikina is Sumulong highway which connects to Katipunan and
runs to Anonas up to Marikina.

From 7am-10am traffic is moderate, but when it is around 3pm-8pm the road is
heavily congested, composed of both public and private vehicles.

Studying the routes of public utility transport, it came up to our knowing that
these busy streets lack a transport terminal to lessen the traffic caused by illegal
unloading and loading.

At the corner of Sumulong highway and Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, a vacant
lot is present and would be the best location for a transport terminal. It is close
the districts center having the City hall, public market and hospital just a walking
distance away.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

Marikina ( TOD 5:30pm ) Concepcion Uno, Marikina City

Mostly traffic congestion is cause by nearby schools in the vicinity and with
improper loading and unloading areas. PUV who wait along highways cause the
clogging of streets.

(TOD 4:00pm ) Sumulong highway, Marikina City

This is one of the busiest streets in Marikina’s central district traffic load is
consisted of both public and private transport vehicles

Temporary Evacuation Area

Along Bayan-bayanan Avenue, Marikina City, not far from the town proper is a
flood-free area and measures 32,328sqm. With this given lot it could
accommodate hundreds of families whenever struck by flash floods.
 CASE STUDY: Urban Design THE CITY OF MARIKINA

PROOF CLIPPING:
Site Map

The site located along Bayan-bayanan Avenue,

Marikina City which proves to be flood free from the past heavy rains