Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

As the Philippines experiences the effects of recent typhoons, including floods and landslides, it’s encouraging to know that change is afoot about how certain building and planning practices can contribute to the mitigation of future damage. 

Scientists and urban planners are able to identify where dangerous areas are located–all one needs to do is check historical data. One great opportunity is to focus on the location of residential areas, including informal settlers, and ensure that fewer and fewer of them over time are located on precarious territory. 

As mass housing programs gain traction, the benefits are not only greater affordability and greater access to housing, but also the presence of a framework wherein scientists, urban planners, and developers can work together. The result will be better and safer habitats over time. 

It is, for sure, easier said than done. These things cost money and require good planning. It also takes time and determination, but the Philippines is fortunate in that all these elements are present. As more progress is made, the benefits will definitely outweigh the costs over time.  

Within this bigger picture, one goal would be to strike a balance between urbanization and environmental sustainability. In addition to the existing frameworks that we have for adherence to building and environmental codes, there is also a great opportunity to focus on education and appreciation. The more conversations we have about sustainability and the power of design and planning, the better we will be–whether as developers, planners, or consumers–at walking our talk when it comes to green living.

People are unanimous about their love for nature and Mother Earth, but why do we sometimes still leave the lights on when we are not using them, or drive a car when we can walk to our destination, or forget to practice trash segregation and seek recycling options? It’s easy to forget these things, but an overall re-framing of our attitudes toward consumption can help. 

Instead of adding more to our lives, I think it is better and more fulfilling to become minimalist in the way we eat, travel, work, and live.  Minimalism can mean quality over quantity.  It can mean elegant solutions in the way our habitats are designed, bringing efficiency in an effortless way.  The truth is that we can improve our lives and our carbon footprints if we get rid of many inefficiencies and focus on quality rather than quantity.

You must be the change that you want to see in the world, said Gandhi. If this is difficult, then at least start. Because our common goal of saving the planet can only be reached through our common effort.

About Architect Romolo Nati

Romolo Valentino Benedetto Nati known as Romolo Nati or RVN, is a multi-awarded Italian architect and businessman with interest in sustainable development (energy and real estate). He is the current Executive Chairman and CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), an Italian-Filipino real estate development firm that specializes in the design and development of sustainable buildings. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Philippine renewable energy company Constellation Energy Corporation (CEC) that focuses in acquiring, financing and developing small to medium-scale renewable energy projects across the Philippines. Follow Architect Nati on FacebookTwitter and LinkedIn. 

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