1.

Differentiate Urban Design, Urban Planning, and Site Planning

There are two points wherein the three terms differ in their meaning. The first point is
in the scale or scope of the definition as denoted by the words Urban and Site. The second
point is in the definition of the words Design and Planning.
Let us discuss the first point. The word Urban denotes a scale which refers to
whole cities or large towns. This comes from its history as a Latin word which means city.
On the other hand, the word Site connotes a scale which can be best described as
local or that of a smaller scale than Urban.
In the second point of difference, we shall discuss the difference between the
words design and planning.
Design, in its broadest definition, is a purpose or intention that exists or is thought to
exist behind an action, fact or material object. It may mean that which is an abstraction of a
created thing or things or may mean the activity with which we create such abstraction.
Design is about a vision and making that vision a reality. It is visionary and creative. In
construction and architecture, more often than not, design tackles the physical aspects of the
project like form.
Planning, on the other hand, in its broadest definition, is the process of analysis and
organization of activities required to achieve a desired objective. It is about taking measures
to achieve a goal following an assumed future course. It is anticipatory and strategic. In
construction and architecture, more often than not, planning tackles the policies and
processes that would affect the urban environment.
Having tackled this differences, we can now define the three terms.
Urban design would be the process of making a vision of urban or city scale a
reality.
Urban Planning would then be the process of studying and creating policies that
would shape the urban future and accommodate any changes and challenges that the
urban fabric may face.
Site Planning would be the process of studying and organizing activities and
policies in anticipation of the various changes that would befall a site.
The first two work in the urban scale while the latter work in the local scale.
Urban design focuses on achieving a vision while Urban Planning and Site Planning
focuses on accommodating those evolving visions. Though their differences may
appear subtle and insignificant to the layman, they do perform very distinct and important
processes. Professionals of the built environment should be aware of the differences,

importance, strengths, and weaknesses of the three processes. Meanwhile, they should not
forget that all three form part of the never ending cycle of urban evolution. They play an
important synergy in this cycle and their harmony is of utmost importance in the creation of
an excellent and liveable urban environment.
2. How much is the budget allotted by the government to provincial municipalities?
The budget allotment process falls under the responsibilities of the national
government through the Department of Budget and Management. All government units such
as provincial municipalities obtain their budgets through this allotment process.
The mechanics of how provincial governments receive funds, called the Internal
Revenue Allotment (IRA) is written in the Local Government Code of the Philippines under
Republic Act No. 7160 sec. 285. This law states that Local Government Units (LGUs) are
entitled to a computed percentage share of the total revenues of the Philippine National
Government. The government would first determine the IRA for LGUs, then determine the
IRA for the individual LGU concerned.
This scheme allots to LGUs a budget of forty (40%) of the total internal revenue of
the national government. Of this forty (40%) percent, thirty-four (34%) is allotted to
municipalities. This percentage would then be divided to individual municipalities on the
basis of population (50% of the IRA), land area (25%), and equal sharing (25%). In
summation,
Budget for LGUS = Forty (40%) of the Total Internal Revenues of the Government
Budget for Municipalities = Thirty-four (34%) of Budget for LGUs minus other costs
Budget of a Municipality =
[(Population of Municipality / Population of All Municipalities in PH) x IRA
based

on Population]
+
[(Land Area of Municipality / Land Area of All Municipalities) x IRA Land Area]
+
IRA Equal Sharing / Total Number of Municipalities
Contd.
IRA Population = 50%

IRA Land Area = 25%

IRA Equal Sharing = 25%

In addition to the IRA from the share determined on the basis of RA 7160, section
285, LGUs including municipalities are also entitled to additional funds also classified as IRA
from funding to devolved national functions such as city and municipal hospitals.
Furthermore, LGUs are also entitled to funds also classified as IRA through the Local
Government Service Equalization Fund (LGSEF) which is set by Congress every year.
These are funding for projects and activities that arise from the full and efficient
implementation of devolved functions and services of local government units pursuant to RA
7160as may be prescribed by the Oversight Committee on Devolution
Municipalities can, however, obtain additional budget from other sources. The
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), in fact, typically constitutes ninety (90%) of a
municipalitys budget. The remaining ten (10%) percent can come from other sources such
as property taxes and government fees.
For 2014, the LGU IRA amounts to P341.544 billion from the total national budget of
P2.265 trillion. That is P116.125 billion for provincial municipalities. For 2015, the LGU IRA is
P389.860B meaning P132.5524B for municipalities from a national budget of P2.606T.
Sources:
Question No. 1
http://envisagedcity.com/2013/03/11/the-difference-between-planning-and-design-and-theirapplication-to-the-urban/
https://www.quora.com/What-is-difference-between-urban-design-and-urban-planning
Question No. 2
http://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/reports_resources/DILG-Resources-201162-99c00c33f8.pdf
http://www.slideshare.net/clarencejoy/lgu-budgeting-process
http://www.slideshare.net/ZERODELTA/budget-process-of-the-philippine-nationalgovernment
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/announce/2001/IRASS_how.asp.