NARRATIVE REPORT

PLANNING 241
REVITALIZING DIVISORIA AND RECTO AVE. INTERSECTION
Arcega, Eduardo G. III
Latoza, Don Giuliano D.
Quidilla, Dan Kristoffer N.
Rejalde, Mark Ezekiel C.
Vosotros, Nikki L.
Foreword:
Divisoria, considered as the shopping mecca of the Philippines, is
known for its chaotic, dirty streets. People often call it the perfect place for
affordable, wholesale or retail items as there are hundreds of vendors inside
the shopping centers or out on the streets. Lately, people were amazed with
its unbelievable transformation credited to the so-called Duterte effect.
Even so, there are still flaws that needs to be considered to make Divisoria
and its surrounding areas more efficient and safe.
SECTION 1
Brief Background of the Project:
This is our project for Planning 241: Site Planning and Landscape
Architecture involving the revitalization of Recto Avenue, ranging from the
Rizal-Avenida Intersection up to Recto-Soler St. Intersection. We
focused on street enhancement, primarily the existing buildings and the
underlying problems that are found all throughout the boundary of our
project.
Recto Avenue is home to a wide variety of establishments and
businesses as it was the center of entertainment back in the mid- to late-20th
century. Sadly though, it has now become one of the decayed and more
dangerous parts of Manila and we hope to solve the issues it faces and make
it a better, healthier place for the people.
The Stake Holders:
Primary Stakeholders include local residents and businessmen.
Secondary Stakeholders consist of customers, PUV drivers, and
commuters.
Project Objective:
The major objective of the proposal design is to give the people of
Maynila community specifically from Recto to Divisoria area their needs and
convenient lifestyle. The project will prevent traffic congestion on the said
area that will give convenience to commuters and users of the road. The
project also covers improvement on waste management that affects the

ambiance and the sanitation of the area, proper area for sidewalk vendors
that causes pedestrian congestions and dilapidated buildings that can cause
an accident to the community of the area.
Significance of the project:
The project area is a populated area that creates a way for the consumers
from other places that decided to go in Divisoria and other known shopping
malls near the area. This project will give benefits for the consumers that
need to satisfy theirselves.
Major problem/s:
Heavy traffic/transportation terminals
Waste management
Dilapidated buildings
Sidewalk vendors
Minor problem/s:
Very few parking spaces
Inconsistent building height
Dangling/tangled electrical wires
Lack of garbage bins
Informal settlers
Vandalism
Uneven sidewalk flooring
Accessible ramps
Methodology:

SECTION 2
THE PROCESS
Background of the study area:
Divisoria is a market district in the heart of the City of Manila known for its
wide assortment of low-priced goods and wholesale and bargain shopping.
Clothes, accessories, toys, novelties, decorations, pirated films and music,
electronics, fruits, dry goods, school, office and household supplies, fabrics,
textiles, crafts, novelties, decorations and everything under the sun can be
found in Divisoria, making it the mecca of value shopping and the mother
of all markets in Manila. It is considered one of the National Capital Region's
premiere economic centers, as street shops, tiangge-style bazaars and
shopping malls are all found here. The district touches different parts of the
city including Binondo, Tondo and San Nicolas.
Claro M. Recto Avenue, more popularly known as simply Recto Avenue, is the
principal commercial thoroughfare in north central Manila, Philippines. It
spans seven districts just north of the Pasig River in what is generally
considered Manila's old downtown area.
Recto's western terminus is at an intersection with Marcos Road (Radial Road
10) in Tondo close to the Manila North Harbor and San Nicolas district. It runs
northeast before curving to the east at Juan Luna Street and Estero
de Binondo. It then passes through the Divisoria shopping area of Manila
south of the Tutuban railway station until it curves southeast past the
Antonio Rivera Street junction. East of Rizal Avenue and Santa Cruz district,
Recto intersects with the streets of the University Belt area
of Quiapo and Sampaloc before terminating at Legarda Street and Mendiola
Bridge in San Miguel.
The Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 2 runs along its Rizal Avenue
Legarda Street segment. It has a short extension into San Miguel and the
gated Malacaan Palace compound as Mendiola Street.

The experience: