By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) -- A vision
of what Metro Cebu could be in 2050 and how this could be achieved through
long-term development planning was presented by the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) to local chief executives of Metro Cebu and other
stakeholders recently.
JICA consultant Shigehisa Matsamura outlined the importance of a future vision which highly-urbanized metropolis such as Yokohama City of Japan and Singapore had.
“Yokohama City 6 Projects was conceptualized in 1965 and now the city is one of the most competitive in Japan and the whole world. Singapore’s 'Concept Plan' was also made in 1965 and we can see the country’s very rapid growth,” disclosed Matsamura as he emphasized the importance of a future vision.
Matsamura said it is very essential for local governments of Metro Cebu to work together and come up with a vision and based on the vision, concrete actions must be made for the future of Metro Cebu.
Based on the presentation, four development themes were identified as important for urban planning development namely livability, bankability, competitiveness, and good governance.
A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of Cebu have also been identified that could help in mapping out strategies for urban planning development.
Matsamura said coming up with a sustainable environmental development strategy for Metro Cebu involves a series of dialogues and workshops as the first workshop was held late last month.
The January 23-24 workshop, attended by over 100 key stakeholders, came up with a common vision for Metro Cebu by 2050. The vision statement presented by Matsamura read, "A vibrant, equitable, sustainable and competitive environment that embraces Cebu’s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources with strong citizen participation and responsive governance."
Roberto Aboitiz, co-chair of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board, said, “We need to create our future and we want to create tomorrow” as “success is no accident.”
Aboitiz said we need to move fast in crafting development strategies. “By end-March, we must have identified and narrowed down five to six initiatives for further development,” which could then be endorsed to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, said Aboitiz.
JICA is presently conducting the survey on "Urban Sustainable Environmental Development Strategy in Metro Cebu" aimed at formulating a comprehensive concept for environmentally sustainable urban development in Metro Cebu.
The study likewise wants to extract major development challenges based on a strength/weakness assessment on the characteristics of Metro Cebu.
The survey is implemented in collaboration with the City of Yokohama, and in close cooperation with Cebu City and the MCDCB. (PIA 7)
JICA consultant Shigehisa Matsamura outlined the importance of a future vision which highly-urbanized metropolis such as Yokohama City of Japan and Singapore had.
“Yokohama City 6 Projects was conceptualized in 1965 and now the city is one of the most competitive in Japan and the whole world. Singapore’s 'Concept Plan' was also made in 1965 and we can see the country’s very rapid growth,” disclosed Matsamura as he emphasized the importance of a future vision.
Matsamura said it is very essential for local governments of Metro Cebu to work together and come up with a vision and based on the vision, concrete actions must be made for the future of Metro Cebu.
Based on the presentation, four development themes were identified as important for urban planning development namely livability, bankability, competitiveness, and good governance.
A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of Cebu have also been identified that could help in mapping out strategies for urban planning development.
Matsamura said coming up with a sustainable environmental development strategy for Metro Cebu involves a series of dialogues and workshops as the first workshop was held late last month.
The January 23-24 workshop, attended by over 100 key stakeholders, came up with a common vision for Metro Cebu by 2050. The vision statement presented by Matsamura read, "A vibrant, equitable, sustainable and competitive environment that embraces Cebu’s creativity and its cultural, historical and natural resources with strong citizen participation and responsive governance."
Roberto Aboitiz, co-chair of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board, said, “We need to create our future and we want to create tomorrow” as “success is no accident.”
Aboitiz said we need to move fast in crafting development strategies. “By end-March, we must have identified and narrowed down five to six initiatives for further development,” which could then be endorsed to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7, said Aboitiz.
JICA is presently conducting the survey on "Urban Sustainable Environmental Development Strategy in Metro Cebu" aimed at formulating a comprehensive concept for environmentally sustainable urban development in Metro Cebu.
The study likewise wants to extract major development challenges based on a strength/weakness assessment on the characteristics of Metro Cebu.
The survey is implemented in collaboration with the City of Yokohama, and in close cooperation with Cebu City and the MCDCB. (PIA 7)