CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Open spaces especially known as public open spaces, like parks and open breathing

spaces are considered as the lungs of an urban center, where people can breathe, relax and feel as

they are. Lively urban areas are created by popular open spaces or civic spaces Popular open

space, are those that cater for the needs of the communities and the urbanites. As the social,

physical and psychological needs of people vary from place to Place, the character of public

open spaces or image of an urban area also vary from region to region. There is also a great

variation of the quality of open spaces between the third world cities or towns. Consideration of

such variation and an understanding of local context are, therefore' essential for designing a town

or municipality.

A man’s need to belong is third in Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, preceded by

his safety and physiological needs. It may be considered that a human house basically answers

these three needs, however, it doesn’t end there. By nature, man is a social creature – he creates

bonds even outside his home. This bond shared by many individuals will later on become a

community. Thus, it is safe to say that healthy communities are places which foster not only its

resident’s need to be healthy physically by having clean surroundings, but also develop their

need to actively participate in positive interactions with their neighbors by having spaces outside

a person’s own territory which can be used for formal or informal gathering. This is where the

importance of parks, recreational areas, and open spaces comes in, and this paper will tackle
about the considerations, guidelines, and other matters a planner must know when designing the

aforementioned places.

1.1 Rationale of the Study

Parks and open spaces in cities in the country emphasize the function of open spaces as

important places that would reflect the economic and social life of the community. Parks and

open spaces are usually considered as the lungs of a city or town. As towering buildings and

concrete structures seem to clog the urban environment, public open spaces create welcome

voids, providing points of social convergence. Parks and open spaces in cities in the country

emphasize the function of open spaces as important places that would reflect the economic and

social life of the community.

Studying this matter, the researchers will proposed a Public Park and Open spaces that

will provide the balance in the plan of a community.. Butuan is considered as the regional capital

of Caraga. The transportation, communication, the linkage with other towns and growth centers

raw materials and labor availability, can make it the most important trade city in the region.

There remains a huge demand for an excellent entertainment place for all aged people of Butuan.

Because the existing parks or other entertainment places are not providing standard services. The

service level is also more or less the same. People usually go out of Butuan. If we are able to

establish a world-class park through utilizing the full potential of landscape design adopting the

combination with the nature it is certain that it will be able to attain and retain huge visitors that

will contribute to the local as well as in the national economy. Just like the human body, cities
need a “circulatory system,” which allows everything essential to keep the city and its residents

alive can to flow efficiently.

1.3 Statement of the problem

The study aims to answer the following concerns:

• What sustainable designs are integrated into the Park and Open Spaces?

• What are the ways to make the proposed site accessible to the public?

• What are the strategies to make the Park and Open Spaces visually stimulating?

Objectives of the study

This study aims:

 To design park and open space that helps community to grow smart, thus

preventing the higher costs of development.

 To create a space that stimulate commercial growth and promote inner-city

revitalization.

 To design a park that reduces consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize

waste and innovate alternative construction materials throughout the design.

1.4 Significance of the study

This study aimed to propose and design a park and open space that speaks for a strong

sense of place through its design concept, to promote tourism and help achieve a diversified

economy. In the urban setting, open spaces have socioeconomic value. These study will be used

for a variety of uses, such as recreation (simple walking and biking), relaxation, sports, and

holding activities such as family picnics. This will also serves as an aesthetic, a hedonic element,

and a health benefit to the community. Open spaces further become safe spaces for disasters,

particularly earthquakes, by these we can increase the quality of life.

This research also aims to utilize the full potential of landscape design adopting the a

design that combines with the nature together with the present western technology trends and

styles. The study will create a one of a kind Filipino recreational landscape that would uplift the

culture and identity through creative park and open space design. And also it will make a city

brighter, happier, and more livable.

Architects, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, local government and also the people

who want to acquire for information can benefit from this study.

1.5 Scope and limitation of the study

This Study limits its coverage on the architectural designing, urban designing and urban

planning of the park and open spaces. The planning and design of the park including but not

limited to, accessibility and circulation of the park, services and security, image of the park,

sustainable features and cultural context.

1.5 Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework

1.6 Review of Related Literature

1.6.1 Garden City

The concept of Garden City by Howard (1965) is characterized by a central city

where the public buildings are situated around a central park. Some of the ideas of

Howard may prove useful to those seeking structures for sustainable urban form.

(Moughtin, 2005) The same form can be traced for the 1941 Frost – Arellano masterplan

of Quezon City - as Garden City, where parks, greenbelts and open spaces is one
 characteristic of the plan. Then proclaimed as the new capital, QC is perceived to have its

government offices around its core at that time called Diliman Quadrangle, is planned to

be dedicated to parks and recreation spaces. The Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife is

what remains of this quadrangle, after a series of proclamations.

1.6.2 Open Space Functions and Benefits

Figure 1.2 Open Space Values in terms of Functions Source: Adapted, Saif Hasan (2012), De Aldous

1.6.3 Human bubble theory

This a research in 1960s by anthropologist Edward Hall, saying that each person

is surrounded by 4 different levels or sizes of bubbles – intimate, personal, social, public

space. Each bubble is a space of which certain behavior of man is observed, as an

extension or with relation to its culture. Also called proxemics, or study of human use of

space and the effects that population density has on behaviour, communication, and

social interaction, according to Hall it is valuable in understanding "the organization of

space in [their] houses and buildings, and ultimately the layout of [their] towns.

1.6.4 Sustainability Index - Open Space per Capita

As an indicator for Asian green cities (under land use category) open space per

capita is determined through summing up of all public parks, recreation , green ways,

water ways and other protected areas accessible to the public in square meters per

inhabitant. (Asian Green City Index report) As a social indicator for quality environment,

open space per capita is measured for the following objectives; to enhance the awareness

and concern of the public towards some critical development issues or the state of affairs

of different social groups as well as the entire population; to facilitate policy advocates to

make informed opinions and suggestions regarding the improvement of social well-being

of the people; and to monitor social development in Hong Kong, usually by constructing

a systematic and user-friendly framework measuring different dimensions of domains of

development. (Social Indicator, Hong Kong)

 CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

The methodology describes the processes used in obtaining the necessary information

and how they were processed to attain the goal and answer the questions given at the start of the

study. This research was carried-out through mixed methods applying qualitative and

quantitative perspectives to gather and analyze data. The chief purpose of this study is to propose

a new tourist destination in Butuan City that would attract more visitors, to aid unemployment

and to improve the overall economic condition of the city. This chapter describes the following

operations used throughout the study, research design, research instruments, data gathering

procedures and research locale. The methodology shows the stages followed while undertaking

the project.

2.1 Research design

This study utilized the qualitative method for primary data collection and quantitative

method for secondary data collection.

Primary data collection is to evaluate people’s views or understanding of the proposal

through interview, photography and field sketching.

Secondary data collection is to document measurable social trends, or evaluate the impact

of a particular policy on various variables through literature review and also reviewed policies

and legal documents.

 The researcher gathered information by conducting interview, obtained policy and legal

guidelines that involves planning standards; zoning regulations and development control

information; population and demographic characteristics of the city; and lessons from economic

impacts of tourism review. Through these data collected, the researcher proposes a Theme park

as an architectural solution to the city’s need in achieving a diversified economy.

2.2 Research locale

The study was conducted within the vicinity of Butuan city. This place was selected to

fulfill the continually growing demand of the people in terms of entertainment. The city has a

population of 337,063 according to 2017 census. The current mayor of Butuan City is Honorable

Ronnie Vicente Lagnada.

Figure 2.1: City Planning and Development Office

2.3 Research respondents

The respondent of the study is the head of the City Tourism office. The respondent is

given enough liberty to answer the interview.

2.4 Research instruments

The methods used to capture the information for the purposes of this study will be the use

of interview, survey and photography. The purpose of the one on one interview is to meet the

desired objectives of this study and obtain information on demographic details. The survey will

serve as the basis of the design concept.

The photographs will be for illustration purposes. It will comprise buildings and transport

networks. It will involve a literature review and reviewed policies and legal documents guiding

theme park planning.

2.5 Data Gathering Procedure

After the letter of intent for securing the Transfer of Certificate Title (TCT) were approved,

the researchers sought for the approval of the City Assessors Office and obtained the technical

lot description at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). To proceed

with the data collection from the respondent, a letter of request together with the questionnaire

was sent with the consent of the thesis adviser.

 The researchers asked permission and introduced the study’s purpose and gave clear

instructions to the repondent.

The respondent was asked to answer with all honesty and acknowledge them for their

participation to the study.

Research Design
-Qualilative and Quantitave Methods

Desk research
-Document Review
-Laws and standard policy
-Review of related Literature

Research Locale
-Mapping
-inventory of park and open space specialy in
Butuan City

Conduct interviews

Figure 2.2: Diagram for Methodology

 CHAPTER 4

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter proceeds to the summary of this research, followed by the conclusion and

recommendation.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The goal of this scheme is to promote the city’s tourism and uplift the city’s economy. This

proposal is to illustrate the culture of the country and also highlight Butuan's historical features. To

address the diversified interest of the visitors and showcase the rich culture of the country through its

design concept. This will serve as an avenue of knowledge while having fun with the help of western

technology trends and styles.

CONCLUSION

Butuan City is continually growing as a highly urbanized city, therefore the demand for

entertainment is constantly rising. Most of Butuanons prefer unwinding in the neighboring cities for it

offers variety of amusement, from tourist spots, cultural and historical places, up to modern day

entertainment and etc.

 Although the city doesn’t have remarkable natural tourist spots, it is culturally and historically

rich that is worth giving a visit. Due to lack of promotion and global advertisement, Butuan do not fall in

the notice of the tourist and even the locals.

Currently, the tourism sector do not have an impact on the revenue of the city.

RECOMMENDATION

• It is recommended that there should be a bridge connecting the opposite side of the road to the theme

park for the safety of the pedestrians.