2011-01016-MN-0

EMERALD BLOCK
Creating a sense of community by integrating residential, commercial, public
transport, and urban park through socio-architectural approach

I.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Demand for residential buildings is rising. Students and even professionals prefer living in
residential buildings as these buildings are strategically located near modes of transportation so
access to their school or work is easier. But despite being very marketable due to rising
demand, these buildings are somehow all the same. They are basically stacks of boxes
connected by long corridors. The qualities of a house is not present in this dense developments.
Users develop social apathy, depression, sense of isolation and disconnectedness to the
community.
Living in more accessible dwellings and exposure and access to nature can positively impact
mental wellbeing.1
The plan is to create a mixed use residential and commercial development connected to an
intermodal passenger transport terminal by integrating promenades and urban parks. This
physical environment would create a sense of connection to people and the environment.

Two new stations will be added at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) as it will extend its
line from Santolan in Pasig City to Masinag in Antipolo City. The proposed additional stations
are the Emerald Station which will be in front of Robinsons Metro East in Cainta, Rizal and
Masinag Station at Masinag Junction, Antipolo. The extension is expected to increase daily
rideship by 75,000, composed of passengers from the densely populated province of Rizal. 90%
of the current LRT passengers come from the east side of Santolan Station, according to LRTA.
This extension project is an opportunity as transport facilities can be an avenue for more
foot traffic.
Many students and professionals prefer living in condominiums because commuting is
very stressful and time-consuming. These demand causes the rise of many residential buildings
near public transportations.
According to a report by Numbeo, the Philippines is fourth among Asian countries and placed
ninth in the world in terms of negative traffic situation.
1 The effect of the physical environment on mental wellbeing (Cooper, Boyko,
Ricardo)

Traffic congestion on urban areas is becoming a serious problem not only in the government
sector but also to the business sector and the people. Aside from the economic impact, it also
has social and environmental impacts.
Because of this issue, the LRTA has decided to extend the LRT Line 2.Two new stations will be
added at the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) as it will extend its line from Santolan in Pasig City
to Masinag in Antipolo City. The proposed additional stations are the Emerald Station which will
be in front of Robinsons Metro East in Cainta, Rizal and Masinag Station at Masinag Junction,
Antipolo. The extension is expected to increase daily rideship by 75,000, composed of
passengers from the densely populated province of Rizal.90% of the current LRT passengers
come from the east side of Santolan Station, according to LRTA.
According to LRTA Spokesperson Hernando T. Cabrera, the management is open to
interconnections to existing and forthcoming establishments, which find transport facilities an
avenue for more foot traffic.
This extension project can cause traffic congestion as the proposed Emerald Station is located
in a commercial zone. There has also no proper public transport terminal in the area so
commuters and loading PUJs occupy lanes of Marcos Highway causing traffic congestion.
Also public transport terminals in the country are not well planned. Passengers are having a
hard time managing their trips as the circulation is not planned. There are also insufficient
spaces for waiting areas. Also, loading public vehicles are producing too much heat and carbon
emission affecting our environment.
This study wants to propose an integrated public transport terminal that will address in the
growing number of passengers and organize public transportation in the area. This project will
also be a model for a more hedonistic design for public terminals that is human and
environment friendly.( Be specific what part of metro manila. Aside from talking about metro
manila site some situation where the proposed terminal be located, it might cause problems
about traffic on the area.)
I.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
A. Major Problem
The need for an integrated terminal that will orchestrate the flow of public transportation and
even passengers in and out of Metro Manila. (What pert of metro Manila?)
B. Minor Problems

How will be the proposal human and environment friendly?

What could be the design of the project that will show hedonistic sustainability?
What planning concepts could be applied so there would be a smooth flow of people and

vehicles?
What other spaces could support the project?

I.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This proposal will be a key in organizing public transport in and out of Metro Manila. It will also
be a model for public transport terminal in terms of being human and environment friendly.
Through hedonistic sustainability, passengers will have better quality of life and human
enjoyment as they will have more time for their own life rather than burning much time in
commuting. The ambiance in a public transport terminal will also be changed to a more pleasing
and enjoyable environment rather that a boring and conventional space of heat and smoke.

I. 4 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Goal
The main goal of this study is to create an integrated transport terminal that will serve as a
gateway to the east of Metro Manila. It will organize the flow of people and public vehicles in the
area.(This will answer your main Problem)
B. Objectives (should answer your minor problems as stated from 1 4)

To be able to create a new approach in public terminal design through hedonistic

sustainability
To improve public transport system in the area
To efficiently transfer passengers from one mode of transportation to the other
To provide safe and comfortable terminal for the commuters

I.5 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

A. Scope
The research deals with improving public transport through proper planning and design.
Different planning concepts on human and vehicular circulation will be studied and what will go
well withthe proposal will also be tackles. New design concept will also be proposed that will
change the perception in public transport terminal that is boring and conventional to enjoyable
and more human friendly. Environmental systems will also be focused on as the project affects
the environment on a large scale. The concept of hedonistic sustainability will also be deal with
and what help can it provide in our community.
B. Delimitations

This research delimits on aerial and water transportations as the project only focus on land
transportation. The structural details of the railway station are also delimited to extensive details
as it is not part of this study. The route plans of the public vehicles are also delimited because
these are all planned by the LTFRB and cannot be changed by the proponent.

I.6 JUSTIFICATION
The proposed integrated terminal will be a solution to the growing traffic in the area. This project
will be model to transport terminals as it will deal in social and ecological factors through
hedonistic sustainability. Unlike typical public terminals that are boring and conventional, this
project promotes a more enjoyable and exciting social place for people stressed from a day in
their office or from sleepless night because of so many projects. This will also provide solutions
to environmental problems caused by public vehicles.

Bibiliography
1. Philippine traffic 9th worst in the world
By Camille Diola (philstar.com) | January 20, 2015
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/01/20/1414875/philippine-traffic-9th-worst-world
2. A Look at the transportation Situation in Metro Manila and the Mitigating Measures to
Alleviate the Impacts of Traffic
By Hussein S. Lidasan
3. LRT-2 to extend line to Masinag in Antipolo City
By Patricia de Leon and Mikas Matsuzawa, CNN Philippines
4. DOTC sets 2016 launch of P9.7-B LRT 2 Masinag extension project
By Lorez S. Marasigan

The effect of physical environment on mental wellbeing

Racehl Cooper, Christopher Boyko, and Ricardo Codinhoto
http://www.academia.edu/471564/The_effect_of_the_physical_environment_on_mental_wellbei
ng