HERE WE GO AGAIN...
AND THEY'RE BAAAACK...
And so without much fanfare and without much complaint from society in general, Rizal Avenue has returned to the jeepneys. Oh well, time to move on. Such a shame. Rizal Avenue, you really could have been something. Maybe someday, when north side of Manila is ready and once we've tamed the beast known as the jeepney, the pedestrianization can return once again. Very interesting photos and thread on Senor Enrique's blog: WISH YOU WERE HERE.
PARTING SHOTS...
The pedestrianized Avenida immortalized on the HUMAN clothing billboard (above) at the Magallanes Interchange. Ironically, Apl d. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas seems to be "plugged" into the jeepney right behind him. Nevertheless, Rizal Avenue's appearance in such a high profile advertisement is confirmation that Avenida was well on it's way back into becoming an iconic location/backdrop for the City of Manila. I wonder if it will still maintain the momentum now that the jeepneys are back or will Rizal Avenue just fade away into urban oblivion the way it did in the mid-1990's. Only time will tell I guess.
A shot of Rizal Avenue on Filipiniana.net. Just to illustrate the street's historical value. And proof that this stretch of Manila has risen and fallen more than once.
And on a brighter note though. The MMDA is allowed back in Manila. Maybe some Bayani Magic will keep the traffic under control.
PARTING SHOTS...The pedestrianized Avenida immortalized on the HUMAN clothing billboard (above) at the Magallanes Interchange. Ironically, Apl d. Ap of the Black Eyed Peas seems to be "plugged" into the jeepney right behind him. Nevertheless, Rizal Avenue's appearance in such a high profile advertisement is confirmation that Avenida was well on it's way back into becoming an iconic location/backdrop for the City of Manila. I wonder if it will still maintain the momentum now that the jeepneys are back or will Rizal Avenue just fade away into urban oblivion the way it did in the mid-1990's. Only time will tell I guess.
A shot of Rizal Avenue on Filipiniana.net. Just to illustrate the street's historical value. And proof that this stretch of Manila has risen and fallen more than once.And on a brighter note though. The MMDA is allowed back in Manila. Maybe some Bayani Magic will keep the traffic under control.
Labels: rizal avenue
posted by carlosceldran @ 10:23 AM
7 Comments:
Matuwa ka na rin Carlos. May na kick back ka na naman nung consultant ka pa ni Atienza di ba?
Hey asshole. Before you start insinuating anything about me. I had nothing to do with any projects nor contracts with Atienza, mudderfucher.
I was paid above the board (AND PAID TAXES TOO) for my arts and design consultancy stint with Atienza from 2001 to 2004. And trust me, it wasn't much.
Furthermore, I QUIT THE JOB and stopped collecting my salary when I realized that nobody was really following my suggestions and realized that I wasn't needed anymore.
I didn't become a ghost employee. So please go F*** yourself.
Bastos ka talaga. And also a coward for not signing your name.
i don't like that person and i don't like that ad. blech.
Lim must be looking forward to receiving to the kickback and leftover money from the project. That's one of the main reasons why they do these "projects" even if it's not needed or if it's to tear something apart. Selfish gain.
Hey Carlos, we've been discussing this in the HCS group. Here is a comment from our urban planner, Dinky von Einsiedel:
Ivan,
I was still living abroad when I learned of the pedestrianization of Rizal Avenue. Since that time, I have been trying to get a copy of the study that led to the "Buhayin and Maynila" program of Mayor Atienza which the Rizal Avenue project is supposed to be part of. I've been wanting to understand the background for it and whether there had been any stakeholder consultations for it. But I have not had any success. It appears that there has been no such study. And that there has been no consultation either.
The concept and practice of pedestrianization is well-entrenched in other cities in Europe, USA, and in more recently even in China. Its a popular approach for inner city revitalization. I assumed the Rizal Avenue case had the same set of objectives. But it seems that it was purely a beautification effort. Concededly, the construction of the LRT "killed" businesses along the avenue especially during construction. After it was completed, the structure made the avenue dark and, while business resumed, it was not as brisk as before. I interpret this to be the reason for the need to beautify the area -- to make it more pleasant for shoppers. I thought it did a good job, at least when I saw it after it was inaugurated.
But I learned later how the project was decided. The story was narrated to me by the contractor who undertook the beautification works. He's Atienza's former classmate in architecture, and officemate at NHA. They were driving down Rizal Avenue one day and Atienza asked his advice on what can be done to beautify the avenue. He suggested to pedestrianize it, put in benches and plants, beautify the columns and put in loights to brighten up the underside of the LRT structure. He added that he had a lot of leftover materials from his other projects that could be used immediately. Atienza agreed and the project proceeded.
I understand the Baywalk was similarly decided like that, as well as other projects under the Buhayin ang Maynila program. There has been no comprehensive study, no plan, no consultation, nothing, just pure and simple impulsive decisions on a project-to-project basis. That's why it's prone to be derailed especially when the principal stakeholders (eg, business owners) don't support the idea.
Dinky
Hey Ivan. Nice to hear from you.
Well whatever the case was. As a pedestrian I liked Rizal Avenue whether it was planned by Atienza's classmate or a space alien or whatever.
But public consultation and a masterplan are really good ideas. Ivan, you guys at HCS and Winners are close to Lim. How about you and Dinky and Nini and everyone start working on a masterplan for Manila with him? Unless you already are of course.
You guys are in a position now to do major change. Hope you grab the opportunity.
Hi Carlos, we're just waiting for the first meeting of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission. Lim will listen to what the commission recommends.
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