Baseco, Philippines

This workshop offers the opportunity to explore the area of the Baseco Compound, one of the densest informal settlements in Manila. In the last ten years, the district has suffered from natural disasters and high levels of crime and poverty. Due to its proximity to Manila Bay, it is particularly vulnerable to river flooding and storm surges informal settlements in Manila. In the last ten years, the district has suffered from natural disasters and high levels of crime and poverty. Due to its proximity to Manila Bay, it is particularly vulnerable to river flooding and storm surges.

The workshop offers an intensive learning experience by combining field studies and a design exercise. We will use the informal city as a living laboratory for trying new ideas of upgrading and design solutions for low-income districts. By exploring a series of incremental interventions, students will learn about the different characteristics and issues that distinguish the urban structure of the informal settlements. The knowledge of the urban environment through the upgrading approach represents a key aspect in which students could come to understand just how significant minor improvements could be for the local community.

The outcome, based on the student's analysis and community engagement will be the construction of real prototype projects scale 1:1 to improve the condition of low-income neighborhoods through a series of community facilities. This elective course is organized in collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and UCSI of Kuala Lumpur together with CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong)