In conjunction with the Makati City government, Arup conducted a seminar yesterday at the Makati City Hall to deliver sound technical and localised strategies designed to help build water capacity and overall resilience in Metro Manila.
Due to its coastal location and rapid urban development, Metro Manila is especially prone to climate change impacts and natural disasters, including extreme rainfall, sea level rise, as well as more powerful typhoons.
This seminar brought together top city government officials, international donors, environmental researchers and practitioners, and Arup’s global water, climate change and planning experts to explore practical solutions to address flood and water management issues, and build a resilient Metro Manila.
Arup experts’ technical presentations not only gave an in-depth look at the pressing problems and local needs, but also offered water and climate change resilient strategies with reference to global best practices. The panel discussion that followed provided a great chance for the participants to exchange ideas, further examine the local issues and develop a path forward.
Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, Jr., Mayor of Makati City, views the seminar as an important component to learning specific strategies the metropolitan area can embark on to protect its people, increase quality of life and continue its socio-economic development. "We sought Arup because of its global engineering expertise and renowned reputation in water and climate change experience. We hope to work with Arup on action-oriented strategies to build local capacity and a resilient Metro Manila," he said.
Raul Manlapig, Arup’s Manila office Managing Director, said: "Arup is working with many cities around the world on climate change mitigation and adaption. We are delighted to bring our knowledge and expertise to Manila. More importantly, we have been in the Philippines for more than 20 years; we live and breathe the issues on a personal and professional basis. All these put us in a unique position to help. The seminar is a starting point for a long continuous process of engagement between Arup and the City."
In line with Arup’s sustainability philosophy, every effort has been made to reduce carbon emissions. Arup is committed to offsetting all its related air travel and paper – and proceeds will be targeted locally to ABS-CBN Foundation to rehabilitate the Metro Manila water basin with initial focus on the Pasig River and its tributaries.
This seminar is part of Arup’s many efforts to help cities build and vigilantly maintain resilience to climate change impacts. Arup is the strategic advisor to C40 Cities to help the world’s largest cities tackle climate change.