The importance of public space

The importance of public space

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When I returned here to Dumaguete a month ago, Mayor Ipe Remollo proudly updated me on the progress of his shoreline protection and reclamation work of the boulevard.

As we took a night drive, I saw a smile on his face seeing the kids of Tinago and Looc playing handball in the beach volleyball area. He told me, “Bai, usahay hangtud 2 a.m. ang dula diha.”

I am so supportive of this public space he created for everyone who wants to play beach volleyball, beach soccer, or handball, or who simply want to watch the games.

I especially enjoyed watching the kids play handball. It’s a game that boys and girls can take part; at the same time, it doesn’t require expensive sports accessories, i.e. shoes, kneepads, specialized uniforms, etc. If you can run, pass the ball, or throw the ball past the goalie, of course, with a combo outfit of shorts and tee, you’re in.

In last year’s competition, I saw student volunteers from Silliman University coaching the various teams from Tinago and Looc.

I hope the City makes it a regular event for all 30 barangays. If fund is needed to support the game, I am willing to donate money for snacks and drinks for the kids.

I say this because I was moved seeing parents prepare dinuldog using their meager resources for their kids during practice time.

An idée fixe of mine in city planning is the creation of public spaces. It should be mandatory for city planners to provide open and accessible spaces to people. It may include pedestrian-oriented pavements, public squares, parks, beaches, promenades, et cetera.

The growing privatization of our limited urban space by developers and financiers into offices, residential, recreational, commercial, or industrial use must be balanced by creating more public space assets to level the playing field of the marketplace.

Besides providing us an open and accessible space for everyone, it also provides us the social space to come together and interact with each other.

Dr. Efren Padilla
[email protected]

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