TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1338 Arlegui ST., Quiapo, Manila

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CE Laws, Contracts and Ethics

CASE STUDY
Submitted By: Bataller, Sarah Jane C.

Submitted To: Engr. Entice

September 24, 2012

ARTICLE: Architect presents flood-proof designs By BRYAN G. VILLASANA and LEO O. LAPARAN II Manila, Philippines The construction of floating houses is among the remedial measures proposed to address the problems of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Renowned urban planner Architect Felino Jun Palafox Jr. labeled these measures as adaptive architecture. Palafox said there is a need to design and build houses and other structures in Metro Manila that can best deal with massive ooding in the countrys capital. Targeting full implementation by 2016, Palafox recommended that the government build elevated establishments, interconnected walkway and monorail to connect with the existing LRT and MRT stations in the metro. Palafox noted that the famed city of Venice is already adapting this style of architecture and that the Philippine government just needs political will to be able to ensure the designs implementation. The same style has already been adopted in the Big Complex in Cagayan de Oro, which was elevated by 11.5 meters. Some parts of Marikina Riverbanks were also on their way to adapting this architectural concept. Designed by his rm, Palafox Associates, houses located in ood prone areas will have a foundation that has a oating mechanism made of rubber boats, plastic bottles or kawayan (bamboo). Like the concept of a raft, this mechanism will enable houses to oat during onslaught of typhoons and massive ooding. Residents can also use light materials, like bamboo, as part of the entire establishment. To ensure that houses wont move along with the ow of the ood, extruding columns made of concrete materials will be installed in the four corners to hold the entire structure even if it oats. House designs will also have extending roofs or wind deector to prevent roof destruction caused by strong winds. For commercial buildings or condominiums, a roof garden can be placed instead of ordinary roofing to reduce the amount of rain ow that may cause ood in the area, since plants and trees have water -absorbing capabilities. Palafox also said that with people expecting ood rushing into their establishments, the rst or ground oor of their buildings should be free of a ny valuable stuff or electric wirings to minimize risk of disaster. The ground level can be allotted for parking or activity/function area. Residents should also have a provision for storage at their buildings roof decks in cases of emergency or immediat e evacuation.

Meanwhile, Palafox lamented how the government, from the administration of now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to President Aquino, seemed to ignore his recommendations in addressing disasters in the country. How can we entice investors? How can we say its more fun in the Philippines with all the sufferings now? said Palafox in an interview aired on GMA News TV. He also noted that of the 60 proposals he sent, only one hazard mapping was given the nod. After the great ood caused by Tropical Strom Ondoy three years ago, Palafox also made 23 recommendations to solve the massive flooding in Metro Manila. The list includes elevation of cities, relocation of people to higher ground, cleaning of all rivers and waterways, building of a spillway from Laguna Lake to Manila Bay, implementation of proper solid waste management, and updating of old urban plans to fit the 21st century. Palafox said that if the government would only spend at least P10 billion for these projects, the effects would greatly benefit human life and appreciation of land value. Sought for their reaction, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Major Flood Control Project Director Patrick Gatan revealed that since the Ondoy disaster, they operated based on the grant given by World Bank to first study and improve Metro Manila flood control projects. DPWHs study resulted in prioritizing flood control projects of the Pasig -Marikina River network, which is not far from overowing during days of torrential rains and further inundating lowlying areas of Metro Manila. Pasig River, in particular, has been the subject of immense rehabilitation efforts since being declared biologically dead two decades ago. The study also covered improvement of large dams, which appeared to have the highest ood risk. Gatan clarified that the nal report was only submitted last March and before it will be implemented, it still has to undergo the Presidents approval and nal screening of the National Economic Development and Authority (NEDA). Gatan also noted that the completion of all projects can fully be attained in approximately five years and that the government is already starting its short-term solutions, including dredging, to address flooding issues.

Case Study

1. Salient Points A world-renowned urban planner proposed the construction of stilt and floating houses in flood-prone areas in the country in the wake of the massive floods that submerged Metro Manila and nearby provinces triggered by continuous rains. He said that the natural catch basin in Metro Manila could no longer cope with the volume of water during heavy rains, therefore massive flooding would be a regular occurrence in the coming years. The natural catch basin in Metro Manila could no longer cope with the volume of water during heavy rains, therefore massive flooding would be a regular occurrence in the coming years. Massive floods in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is natures way of telling us that we need to consistently push for urban development policies that are sustainable and relevant in the midst of climate change. He explains that the stilt house is ideal if there is high water, but the ultimate solution for floods is the floating house since it would just float as soon as the floodwater rises. Floating houses has a mechanism that will enable houses to oat during typhoons and massive ooding. Residents can also use light materials, like bamboo, as part of the entire establishment. To ensure that houses wont move along with the ow of the ood, extruding columns made of concrete materials will be installed in the four corners to hold the entire structure even if it oats. 2. Time context August 16th, 2012 3. View point The Philippine government has been building public flood defences for several decades, but few improvements have been made to individual residences. With flooding likely to increase in frequency and severity, new alternatives are needed now more than ever. People expect government action, and many residents have voiced complaints about the governments inactivity in floods. Floating houses provides another solution with the effort of the government to protect the public from floods. To homeowners who choose to live in a flood-prone area, the floating house protects their home, property and individual safety. In addition, the FPH design opens up new land to ease the growing space problem. The idea of floating houses is suits the Philippines needs.

4. Problem Is the floating house is the ultimate solution to minimize the problems caused by massive floods in the Philippines? 5. Objective To be able to know the different ways/ methods in dealing with floods To be able to know the best way to cope with the floods 6. Alternative Courses of Action There are many ways that can be use to prevent floods from damaging our houses, elevated building structures are always strong candidates for newly built structures in flood-prone areas. These houses simply move the inhabitable level above flood plains. This can be done into several ways: Building a stilt houses, these houses are built on columns, where the slab is situated above the expected flood level. Building the house on a hill, this type of house is built on top of a natural hill, which plateaus above the base flood elevation. Though, close attention should be paid to the soil characteristics to avoid landslides when the soil becomes saturated during flooding periods. Raising the level of the ground with fill, this alternative uses a man-made hill. The soil concerns are the same as mentioned before, but the slopes can be adjusted according to a geotechnical engineers recommendation. Building on a decrease hill, this is a combination of building in habitable areas above the base flood elevation and building on a hill. The direction of the flood should enter at the side of the garage, where the consequences of flood damage are minor. Building of floating houses, it is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used
primarily as a human dwelling. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities.

7. Alternative Courses of Consideration With the methods or ways describe on how to minimize the cause of damage of floods, I consider floating houses as the most effective and useful method that we can use in the Philippines, especially now. Scientist say that we should expect the weather to become worst in the future due to climate change and the best thing to do is to find a way to cope, a house that can resist floods, floating house.

8. Time Frame TIME FRAME 1-2 Month/s ACTIVITIES Planning of relocation for building of floating houses Temporary relocation of informal settlers who are extremely affected by the floods Building of floating houses in a massive flood-prone area CONDUCTED

1-2 Month/s

Higher grounds

1-4 Month/s 9. Recommendation

Floodplains/lower grounds

Philippines suffer from typhoons and monsoon that brings massive floods and killed many people. In order to avoid those happenings we need to have a new way to built, we should build a flood proof house. The idea of floating houses is applicable in some areas. This could also be applied to residents that cannot be relocated so that they could still function despite the flood. Though theyre still living in flood plain area, it would minimize the disasters and destructions of so many houses and at the residence wouldnt lose everything. The Dutch has proven that floating houses works. Knowing how tough the Dutch people are in terms of flooding and controlling of the effect of sea tides, and I go with their ideas. 10. Conclusion There are so many ways on how to deal with a flood. Like building stilt houses, building a house with a fill, a house on a hill or on a decrease hill, and building a floating houses. Scientists say that we should anticipate the weather to become worst in the future due to global warming and the best thing to do is to find a way to cope with it. And, floating houses is the best method than the other. The main function of this flood proof house, is habitable during a flood, requires little or no input from the homeowner and, most importantly, minimizes a floods impact on the homeowner, property and the home itself. Ideally, then, the floating houses should be completely impervious to water while maintaining the appearance of a traditional home.