Palawan State University

College of Engineering Architecture and Technology

Department of Architecture

Research :
 Housing Planning and Design
 Housing Urban & Development
 PD 957 & BP 220
 Sustainable Housing

2015 - 4 - 0688

Architectural Design 6

February 20, 2020

 Housing Planning and Design

 Housing, or more generally living spaces, refers to the housing and self-help such as the Community Mortgage

construction and assigned usage of houses or buildings Programmed. More importantly, improving affordability

collectively, for the purpose of sheltering people — the through housing finance must be coupled with initiatives to

planning or provision delivered by an authority, with related increase families’ capacity to pay. This means fully integrating

meanings. The social issue is of ensuring that members of sustainable livelihood and employment into the housing

society have a home in which to live, whether this is a house, process, and looking at economic development as a function

or some other kind of dwelling, lodging, or shelter. Many of shelter delivery. Operationally, this translates to the

governments have one or more housing authorities, implementation of an integrated housing strategy requiring

sometimes also called a housing ministry, or housing the collaboration of shelter, economic, and social welfare

department. agencies beyond their current or traditional mandates.

A. Develop inclusive, integrated housing. Housing D. Promote resilient housing. The framework promotes the

development should be culturally sensitive and must adhere development of climate resilient, affordable housing. This can

to appropriate standards and design. It should pay special be achieved through the adoption of appropriate housing

attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, standards or building codes, technologies, and innovations,

including indigenous peoples (IPs), persons with disabilities incorporating conditions for resilience and resource

(PWDs), the elderly, informal settler families (ISFs), internally efficiency. These new standards and technologies must be in

displaced populations from disaster-stricken or internal- accordance with the thrust toward affordability and social

conflict areas, women, and children. Mixed: income housing equity. For instance, retrofitting of existing housing structures

is encouraged to promote inclusive communities. based on climate change vulnerability and disaster risk can be

explored, addressing the conditions of resilience,

B. Operationalize the National Informal Settlements
affordability, and rights-based housing.
Upgrading Strategy. The NUDHF recognizes the value of

providing security of tenure for urban settlers, both formal E. Enforce the balanced housing provision of the UDHA. Rep.

and informal. As policy reforms move toward improving land Act No. 10884, which amends the UDHA, requires owners and

management and land valuation, rights-based instruments developers of proposed subdivision and condominium

(RBIs) or other forms of secure tenure instruments— such as projects to develop an area for socialized housing equivalent

usufruct, other lease variants, and right to occupy or build— to at least 15% of the total subdivision area or total

are now recognized as secure tenure instruments and subdivision project cost and at least 5% of the condominium

collateral substitutes. RBIs offer a less costly approach to area or project cost. Significant in this amendment is the

providing secure tenure to segments of society unable to inclusion of vertical housing developments in socialized

secure freehold titles, particularly the urban poor. housing compliance. It must be noted that these are

minimum requirements, and developers may opt to increase

C. Improve affordability of housing programmed and projects.
the percentages.
Government must seek to improve, enhance, expand, and

sustain financing programmed for government housing  Republic Act No. 10884 requires owners and

projects, especially those that focus on community-based developers of proposed subdivision and
 condominium projects to develop an area for identify priority housing programmed and projects, and

socialized housing equivalent to at least 15% of the initiate needed partnerships for housing projects.

total subdivision area or total subdivision project

cost and at least 5% of the condominium area or

project cost  Housing Urban & Development

F. Update appropriate housing unit size requirements based

on local context. Local governments and developers are WHAT IS THE NATIONAL URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND

encouraged to further assess the needs of end users with HOUSING FRAMEWORK? The National Urban Development

regard to their space requirements, without income and Housing Framework (NUDHF) is the development

discrimination and considering various factors such as framework for urban and urbanizing areas aimed at achieving

location, culture, economic linkages, and livelihood the objectives of the Urban Development And Housing Act.

opportunities, among others. People-centered planning

The NUDHF provides an overarching framework for urban
processes can address this gap, and allow stakeholders to
development and housing, consisting of a vision, policy
determine appropriate unit sizes.
statements, and strategies, encompassing core development

G. Make land available and accessible for housing. There are sectors and spatial elements. It is intended to guide the

several ways to increase the supply and reduce the cost of efforts of the Philippine government, private sector, and

urban land, thereby addressing physical and artificial shortage other stakeholders in improving the performance and

of land for development: efficiency of the country's urban systems.

• Unlocking unused or underused government-owned land  RATIONALE

• Land pooling/readjustment The NUDHF, first crafted in 1993, addresses the need for an

overall framework for policy and strategy, based on a clear

• Land banking
urban development vision. The NUDHF contains a set of

• Land cost adjustment for affordable housing policy statements, strategies, and implementation measures

intended to guide public and private sector efforts towards

• Reducing land speculation through fiscal measures
sustainable urban development and housing. Since 1993,

• Making land information accessible to the land market there have been two updates (1999 and 2009) leading up to

this current iteration.

H. Promote local shelter planning to encourage broad-based

participation and ensure implementation of housing and land The NUDHF, first crafted in 1993, addresses the need for an

strategies. Citizen participation and localized capacity serve as overall framework for policy and strategy, based on a clear

foundations for effective and efficient shelter provision. urban development vision.

Empowering communities also increases accountability and

transparency in the implementation and monitoring of

housing strategies. Local shelter planning enables LGUs to  LEGAL BASIS

determine housing needs, conduct inventory of resources,

The Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992 the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific

mandates the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board and technological capabilities, improve public morals,

(HLURB), under the direction of the Housing and Urban enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote

Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and full employment among their residents, maintain peace

pursuant to Article III, Sec. 6, to formulate the NUDHF in and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of

coordination with all local government units and other their inhabitants.

concerned public and private sectors

 ANCHORS

The Climate Change Act of 2009 (CCA) and its amending

a. Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals
law seeks to build national and local resilience to climate
(SDGs): The 17 SDGs set the course for the global effort
changerelated disasters and protect and advance the
to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities, and tackle
people’s right to a healthful ecology. It compels the
climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
government to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG)
Specifically, SDG 11 aims to “make cities and human
concentrations at a level that prevents dangerous human
settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.”
interference with the climate system. This is to ensure
Within this goal are targets that constitute the built
that food production is not threatened and that
environment agenda, and ensure that issues are
economic development proceeds in a sustainable
addressed through the spatial lens.
manner.

b. The New Urban Agenda aims to address urban poverty

Meanwhile, the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act
and social exclusion, enhance and extend human rights
of 2010, in response to the country’s vulnerability to
perspectives in their application to cities and human
natural disasters as well as climate change impacts,
settlements, and embrace a shift in the predominant
“provides for the development of policies and plans and
urban pattern to minimize socio-spatial injustices and
the implementation of actions and measures pertaining
enhance equity, socio-spatial inclusion, political
to all aspects of disaster risk reduction and management,
participation, and a decent life for all inhabitants.
including good governance, risk assessment and early

warning, knowledge building and awareness raising, c. AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the long-term vision

reducing underlying risk factors, and preparedness for and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and

effective response and early recovery. for the country. It describes the kind of life that people

want to live and how the country will be by 2040. The

Finally, Section 16 of the Local Government Code (Rep.
long-term vision serves as an anchor for development
Act No. 7160) directs local government units (LGUs) to
planning for the next 25 years. Part of this is the
exercise their powers for efficient and effective
Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017–2022.
governance and to promote general welfare. LGUs shall

ensure and support the “preservation and enrichment of Recognizing lessons from the past two decades, the

culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of 2017–2022 NUDHF moves forward with emphasis on

the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support making urban spaces more inclusive, and creating more
open, connected, and collectively resilient communities. The NUDHF aligns itself along the above vision, and

It focuses on the role of urbanization in creating translates it into key principles that will frame urban

equitable growth, and will endeavor to describe and development and housing strategies.

promote uniquely Filipino cities, municipalities, and

1. Urbanization as catalyst for inclusive growth
urban areas.

• Urbanization must drive and influence the creation

of and transformation towards culturally, socially,

economically, and politically inclusive development.

• Citizenship and equal rights for all inhabitants

whether permanent or transient, with added focus

on the right to housing and urban services; this

includes women, those living in poverty or situations

of environmental risk, informal economy workers,

ethnic and religious groups, LGBT persons,

differently abled persons, children, youth, elderly,

 The NUDHF adopts the country vision on urban migrants, and refugees.

development, as articulated in the Philippine New

2. Climate change resilience as a base for spatial
Urban Agenda:
structuring and sectoral development

The vision reflects the aspirations of millions of Filipinos

• Resilience as the ability of a locality and its citizens
for the future of Philippine cities. Better urban systems
to withstand impacts and shocks, and to rebuild,
are globally competitive, economically vibrant, and
reorganize, or transform itself when necessary
livable. Greener urban systems are environmentally
• Resilience as the foundation in planning and
sustainable, climate resilient, and safe. Smarter urban
decision-making for spaces (neighborhoods,
systems are connected physically, spatially, and digitally.
settlements, development areas, cities,
An inclusive Philippines is equitable, participatory, and
municipalities, provinces, regions) and for
provides universal access to political, economic, and
addressing sectoral and/ or cross-sectoral challenges
basic social services. It safeguards children, women,
(environment, social, economic, infrastructure,
elderly people, and persons with disability. It equalizes
institutional, including cultural practices or
access to livelihood opportunities and social protection
expression)
programmes. And it enables informal settler families to
3. Spatially and thematically integrated settlements
transform in the metropolises, living their lives with more
within coherent and efficient urban systems and forms
security, pride, and dignity. It also recognizes the
across scales
importance of rural–urban linkages and integration.

 KEY FRAMEWORK PRINCIPLES

• Urban design that aids in the integration and 5. People’s participation and empowerment as

efficient function of urban elements and ensures foundations of urban governance, facilitating sustainable

social and economic inclusion . resource use, planning, management, and finance

• Efficient urban planning and design should be

• Equal and substantive participation of all
considered across scales from the smallest to the
stakeholders in the critique, implementation, and
largest unit or element .
monitoring of urban development policies,
• Physically, spatially, functionally connected and
legislation, and actions .
accessible systems.
• Involvement of marginalized sectors in decision-
• Urban systems that are capable of producing
making for programmes that affect their quality of
desired results without wasting time or energy. This
life, enabling socially responsible private sector
includes biophysical, social, economic,
participation and responsibility .
infrastructure, political, and legislative organization.
• Support for the development of human capacity,

promote integrated governance and capacity

building for government staff, and promote

deliberative urban processes .

• Embedded participatory and sustainable urban

development processes, structures, and

mechanisms.

6. Sustainable urban environment

4. Urban areas as accessible platforms for social and • Protects ecosystems and urban biodiversity

economic opportunity, cultural expression, and • Promotes efficient, affordable, and clean energy •

innovation Promotes sustainable use of air, water, land, and

resources in urban development

• Spaces for all inhabitants, with mechanisms that
• Promotes responsible production and consumption
promote and facilitate activity and interaction
o These key framework principles are interpreted and
• Spaces that allow for shelter, decent work and
expressed in more specific terms as thematic
secure livelihoods, formal and informal economic
strategies. Together, they are intended to realize the
activities
vision for sustainable urban development in the
• Spaces that promote identity and pride of place and
Philippines.
support tangible and intangible cultural assets and

creative practices and expressions

• Spaces that support and facilitate new technologies,

organization models, and social, economic, and

physical facilities
  STRATEGIES mix in urban areas, especially one that supports vulnerable

sectors such as women, youth, indigenous peoples, persons

Population:
with disability, the poor, and migrants, will contribute to

a. Enforce a sound population management policy that inclusive growth.

focuses on the well-being of the family, especially women

e. Support policy on prioritizing onsite and in-city
and youth. The Philippines will benefit from the full
resettlement with off-site resettlement as a last option as a
implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and
spatial planning tool and a risk reduction approach. Where
Reproductive Health Law, which assists couples in achieving
resettlement of households is unavoidable, such as informal
their fertility goals through safe, legal, and affordable means
setter families located in danger areas or unsuitable sites,
consistent with their customs and religious beliefs. The
government must ensure that the resettlement site has
Philippine government should adopt population strategies
access to livelihood or income opportunities, and that the
that advocate the advantages of a small family size,
resettlement site is complete with basic utilities such as
prevention of early marriages, and proper timing and spacing
power and water supply. Encroachment along roadways
of childbirths as part of responsible parenthood.
should be prevented to control urban sprawl. Cities should

b. Transform youth bulge into a demographic dividend or consider resettlement sites in planning their expansion areas

window of opportunity. There are more than 30 million or growth nodes.

Filipinos aged 10–24 years old. Comprising almost a third of
f. Prioritize allocation of land for utilities and critical
the Philippine population, this young age group’s potential
infrastructure in an archipelagic setting. National and local
must be developed. A greater proportion of the gross
governments should be more proactive in identifying,
domestic product (GDP) should be invested in education,
acquiring, safeguarding, and developing land for critical
including formal education and vocational– technical training,
infrastructure such as mass transport, roads and bridges,
so that the youth will be prepared to enter the workforce as
ports, airports, water distribution, power, and
employable and globally competitive.
communications. Moreover, infrastructure planning should

c. Offer and implement better incentives for more efficient consider both land and water uses, and aim to increase

urban densities. Increasing densities in urban areas is connectivity between islands. Doing so would improve access

essential to accommodate projected population increases, to services, support inclusive mobility, and encourage

address urban sprawl, and sustain economic growth. Apart sustainable urban development in more areas in the country.

from zoning regulations, context-based development

g. Develop the urban development database. Strategies and
guidelines are an effective tool to encourage efficient
policies dealing with urban development and housing need to
densities, especially in prime urban areas, and regulate the
be based on evidence. Planning and managing cities and
nature, intensity, and direction of development.
urban areas require the use of updated, valid, and reliable

d. Support vulnerable sectors and minimize displacement. data including maps and spatial information.

Urbanization should provide all members of Philippine society

opportunities for development. A culturally sensitive social

 b. Strengthen the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction

and management (DRRM) planning and climate change

 Urban Planning and Design
adaptation/ mitigation (CCAM) planning with spatial and

a. Fully operationalize ridge-to-reef and/or integrated sectoral development planning. The mainstreaming of DRRM

ecosystems planning. The “ridgeto-reef or integrated and CCAM in the CLUP and Comprehensive Development Plan

ecosystems planning framework” was adopted by the HLURB (CDP) need to be ensured. Areas for improvement,

for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) Guidebooks harmonization, and rationalization, where possible, must also

2013–2014, which utilizes system-based tools such as the be identified. This includes streamlining and harmonizing

ecological transect and other tools. processes on CCAMDRR and capacity building for planning

offices, professionalization, and ethical accountability in the

 The NUDHF prioritizes the identification and
planning process and documentation.
protection of open spaces as a first step in designing

urban areas, with built-up spaces planned around c. Design barangays and neighborhoods in terms of human

and in consideration of this network. LGUs must scale and walkability. The NUDHF proposes a return to

establish the primacy and connectivity of public human-scaled proportions and to design barangays in terms

spaces, and provide resources for their of human scale and walkability, with the necessary

development. infrastructure and services within walking distance of

residents. This may be incorporated in the local development

planning process following the CLUP Guidebook, specifically

under the Special Studies on Urban Design and Development.

d. Promote adequate networks of public open spaces. The

NUDHF prioritizes the identification and protection of open

spaces as a first step in designing urban areas, with built-up

spaces planned around and in consideration of this network.

LGUs must establish the primacy and connectivity of public

spaces, and provide resources for their development. This

also includes locating and establishing public buildings in

strategic areas, and designing public spaces in a way that

supports disaster risk reduction and climate change action

(e.g., escape routes and evacuation plans).

e. Consider the water cycle in urban planning and design. The

water cycle should be considered as a key element at all

levels of planning and design. Plans must support watershed

improvement. Subsequently, they must include, where

possible, the development of alternative water sources other

than groundwater. In line with this, the collection of i. Integrate mobility and transport planning in land use

rainwater and the recycling of domestic water for domestic planning. The NUDHF advocates the shift from car-oriented to

use must be considered. Cities and municipalities must people-oriented mobility. A new hierarchy of transportation

ensure adequate water domestic supply without encroaching and mobility is introduced, prioritizing pedestrians first, then

on the recharge areas of adjacent areas. Land developments non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles, followed by public

must be reviewed to ensure adequate water supply both for transport, commercial vehicles, taxis, and single occupancy

the development and adjacent communities. vehicles.

f. Promote compact development. Compact development j. Optimize use of existing spaces and structures in the built-

entails the promotion of efficient densities at all scales of up area through adaptive reuse, urban redevelopment, and

urban planning, which maintains the balance between urban urban infill. To ensure the preservation of these heritage

demand and available resources. Areas with efficient areas, the NUDHF adopts the more sustainable policy of

densities tend to cut back the cost of public services such as adaptive reuse for existing structures, urban infill, or the use

police and emergency response, infrastructure maintenance, of vacant lands or underutilized property for urban

school transport, water, and sewage. This will promote the revitalization rather than city extension or land reclamation.

holistic management of the urban area and reduce urban

k. Control urban sprawl by promoting planned urban
sprawl.
expansion. Compact, mixed use development can be

g. Promote mixed use. Following the principle of spatial and complemented and made more effective by promoting

sectoral integration within coherent and efficient urban planned urban expansion. Anticipating urban growth, setting

systems, local government and development partners are boundaries to existing areas, and providing for rational

urged to plan areas for mixed uses and minimize highly expansion in selected areas will control urban sprawl and

specialized land zoning where possible. Mixing land uses manage urban resources better. It will also aid in food

allows for the integration of complementing activities, and security, maintenance of protected areas, and the integration

also supports compact development. Land use specialization and linkage cities and municipalities in a coherent manner.

to limit single function blocks or neighborhoods is

l. Extend capacity development programmed and projects to
discouraged.
integrate the reduction of GHG emissions at the local

h. Promote social mix. Urban design at the local level should planning level: CLUP, CDP, and LCCAP. Urban planning and

maximize the use of spaces to promote social equality and design must integrate low emission development principles

spatial justice. Urban spaces, including buildings and and strategies. Building national and local planners' capacity

residential areas, should espouse social integration and to understand GHG mitigation options along with the

diversity of social as well as income groups. Diversity and adaptation elements of urban plans and designs is now more

social inclusion should be encouraged consciously by local essential to ensure that people will indeed live in

authorities and planners especially in designing public spaces, economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable

including streets, markets, schools and universities, parks and communities.

plazas, beaches and waterfront zones.

  Urban Infrastructure and Basic Services Mainstreaming of health impact assessments (HIAs). Energy

 Water and Sanitation infrastructure projects should mainstream HIAs to

supplement environmental impact assessments. This

a. Streamline policies and improve the regulatory framework
provides additional information for resilience-building,
to ensure sustainable water security in urban areas. Water
including climate change vulnerability and disaster risk
and sanitation infrastructure must be harmonized with
assessments, renewable energy programming, and planning
legislation, policies, and organizational development plans.
and urban design in consideration of public health targets.
Simplifying the regulatory framework from the approval of

water and sanitation plans to maintenance will enable  Energy (Sustainable/Renewable)

proponents to protect, explore, develop, and expand water

a. Streamline procedures for the development of renewable
and sanitation services for the larger urban system.
energy projects, to improve ease of doing business. This
Implement programmed and initiatives on watershed
would entail reducing requirements and processing times,
protection.
revisiting investment and business application procedures,

b. Promote and support innovative water and sanitation and making adjustments to ease start-up and operations cost,

technologies. Cost-efficient, alternative technologies in water thereby boosting the number of domestic and foreign

and sanitation, including water recycling should be investments in the sector.

supported. This entails investment in research, prototyping

and fully developing technologies, especially localized

solutions.

c. Support financing for climate and disaster resilient water

and sanitation infrastructure. Mobilizing resources, including

those from the private sector, would allow government

flexibility in developing and implementing high capital outlay

infrastructure projects. Replicating and improving on the

successes of privately managed water utilities will further

strengthen resilience of urban water infrastructure.

d. Strengthen local government capacity on water and

sanitation governance. Capacity building programmed should

be in place for national, regional, and local water and

sanitation personnel in critical areas like coordination with

national government agencies (NGAs) and other government

entities, planning, project development, decision-making,

budgeting, and private sector engagement.

 Public Health
b. Increase energy sourcing from low carbon and other clean  Drainage

energy technologies. Government must adopt measures that

a. Comprehensive mapping of natural waterways, drainage
promote better energy mix, thereby increasing energy
and sewerage systems, including waterways that have been
sourcing from low-carbon and other clean energy
built over. Mapping natural waterways would assist planners
technologies. Identifying and mapping renewable energy
in identifying blue and green spaces for land use planning,
resources becomes a key technical concern for LGUs. With
and urban renewal and systems upgrading programmed.
technical support, local governments can pursue proper

identification of land use and other requirements for

renewable energy investments.

c. Promote energy efficiency. LGUs can also adopt measures

that promote more efficient energy consumption, for

instance in work areas, public buildings, and settlement sites.

Energy efficiency should be considered in settlements

planning, building design and construction, and

transportation.

d. Explore and implement technology research and funding

mechanisms that support small-scale renewable energy

projects. It is necessary to develop appropriate technology

and financing in support of renewable energy for use of

micro- and small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives,

as well as housing and settlements development. This will

b. Improve public investment in infrastructure for drainage
help reduce the demand for fossil fuel and empower
networks, sewerage systems, and water treatment plants,
communities to produce, supply, and manage renewable
taking into consideration sound analysis on population
energy. Encourage development of alternative domestic
growth and infrastructure demand, climate change, and
power sources to augment existing supply sourced from the
disaster risk. Ensure sustainable financial investment by
grid.
designing and implementing long-term drainage

infrastructure projects.

c. Ensure use of local climate change projections and disaster

risks in designing drainage networks and related

infrastructure.
  Waste Management Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for PD 957

a. Encourage community-based waste management  REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING

programmed. As successful waste management is about THE SUBDIVISION AND CONDOMINIUM BUYER'S

influencing human behavior to respect rules and to protect PROTECTIVE DECREE (PD 957) AND OTHER RELATED

the environment and the community’s welfare, local LAW

governments will benefit most from community-based solid

Pursuant to Article IV Section 5 c) of Executive Order No.
waste management programmed in accordance with
648 the following rules are hereby promulgated by the
applicable legislation and policies. This could also involve
Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to
providing incentives to community stakeholders in using
implement Presidential Decree Nos. 957, 1216, 1344 and
material recovery facilities, or limiting garbage volume at
other related laws applicable to open market and
source. This is possible through advocacy and education.
medium cost subdivision and condominium projects.
Cities should also explore and develop composting and

vermiculture as waste byproducts, which can be used for RULE I

urban agriculture.
MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS

b. Adopt modern technology and systems in monitoring solid

Section 1. Design Standards for Subdivision
waste management programmes. Government must
A. Site Criteria
welcome the use of better technology to make waste

management more efficient, for instance in monitoring of 1. Location

waste disposal activity, scheduling, and volume tracking.

Conformity with Zoning Ordinance/Comprehensive Land Use
Cities are also encouraged to invest in alternative green
Plan
filtration systems, natural filters to cleanse waterways, which

can be part of the spatial strategy and urban design, as in the Subdivision projects shall be located in residential zones or

case of endemic grass-wetland species used for grey other areas appropriate for residential uses. If there is no

wastewater treatment systems in riverfront development. Zoning Ordinance or approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan,

This also complements resilience measures and raises public the dominant land use principle and site suitability factors

appreciation for better and more appropriate infrastructure cited herein shall be used in determining suitability of a

systems. project.

c. Develop inter-LGU coordinated waste management plans Subdivision projects supportive of other major urban

for efficient regional mobilization of resources. activities (e.g. housing for industrial workers) may be allowed

Metropolitanization and similar aggregations’ can act as in area zoned for the said urban activities

catalysts in maximizing resources for public infrastructure and

2. Physical Suitability
services, particularly in urban waste management.
Subdivision projects shall be located within suitable sites for
Coordinated site planning for sanitary landfills is cost-efficient
housing and outside hazard prone areas and protection areas
and effective given land constraints in urban areas.
as provided for by pertinent laws. Critical areas (e.g. areas When a developer or planner submits a Planned Unit

subject to flooding, landslides and those with unstable soil) Development (PUD) type of project, the layout shall likewise

must be avoided. conform to the standards for residential/condominium

projects.
The site shall be stable enough to accommodate foundation

load without excessive earthmoving, grading or cutting and a. Open spaces

filling.
Open spaces shall conform to the provisions of P.D. 1216 and

3. Accessibility its implementing rules and shall include the following:

The site must be served by a road that is readily accessible to a. 1 Streets - adequate and safe means of vehicular and

public transportation lines. Said access road shall conform pedestrian circulation and easements for utilities and planting

with the standards set herein to accommodate expected strips, shall be provided.

demand caused by the development of the area. In no case

a. 2 Walks - paved walks shall be provided to the living units
shall a subdivision project be approved without the necessary
from streets, parking spaces and from living units to play
access road/right-of-way. Said access road right-of-way may
areas
be constructed either by the developer or the local

government unit. a. 3 Parks and playground - suitable recreational area(s) shall

be allocated within the subdivision. Where applicable, a

B. Planning Considerations
hierarchy of such recreational areas may be provided for,

1. Area Planning such that, a strategically located main park area is

supplemented or complemented by one or more smaller

Planning and designing of subdivision projects shall take into
pocket(s) or areas for recreational use. These areas must be
account the following:
accessible to living units and free from any form of hazard or

a) safety and general welfare of the future occupants: risk_ Said parks and playgrounds shall be cleared and free

b) adequate, safe, efficient and integrative road from any debris. Parks and playgrounds as much as possible

circulation system servicing every lot therein; shall be at street level.

c) judicious allocation of land uses for diversity and

b. Facilities and Amenities
amenity;

d) preservation of site Areas required for subdivision facilities and amenities shall be

e) proper sitting or orientation of lots; judiciously allocated in accordance with the provisions herein

f) harmony with existing and proposed development in specified.

the vicinity;
c. Density
g) Application of workable design principles or

parameters for a well planned and self-sustaining Density of subdivision projects shall conform with the

environment. residential densities set forth in the zoning ordinance of the

city/municipality where project is located. Where there is a

mixture of housing types within the subdivision (such as

single-detached, row house, town houses, etc.), density shall c. PHIVOLCS per Resolution No. 515, Series of 1992, on

include the total number of dwelling units in multi-storey identified fault traces;

structure plus the total number of lots intended for single and
d. Other public utility companies and other entities' right-of-
semi-detached houses.
way;

2. Site Preservation
e. National/local government units for projects abutting

a. Slope national roads (primary roads) where adequate easement

shall be provided for, including loading and unloading areas;

The finished grade shall have a desired slope to allow rain

water to be channeled into street drains. Where cut and fill is f. Other related laws.

necessary, an appropriate grade shall be attained to prevent

4. Circulation
any depression in the area.

Depending on the classification of roads adjacent to the

Grading and ditching shall be executed in a manner that will
subdivision and the size of the project site, road network
prevent erosion or flooding of adjoining properties.
should result into a hierarchy of functions and should define

B. Preservation of Site Assets and serve the subdivision as one integrated unit.

Suitable trees with a caliper diameter of 200 millimetres or a. Roads complemented with pathwalks within the

more, shrubs and desirable ground cover per Department of subdivision must be so aligned to facilitate movement and to

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) rules shall be link the subdivision to the nearest major transportation route

preserved. Where a good quality top soil exists in the site, it and/or adjacent property.

shall be banked and shall be preserved for finishing grades of

Whenever there are existing roads within the project site
yards, playgrounds, parks and garden area.
which shall be made part of the subdivision plan, these shall

c. Ground Cover be improved in accordance with the standards set forth

herein.
Grass, shrubs, plants and other landscaping materials used

for ground cover shall be of a variety appropriate for its b. Streets should conform to the contours of the land as far as

intended use and location. They shall be planted so as to practicable

allow well-tended cover of the area.

Where a proposed project adjoins a developed property,

3. Easements roads within the said project shall be

connected/integrated/aligned with existing ones.

Subdivision projects shall observe and conform to the

following provisions on easements as may be required by: Where a proposed project adjoins undeveloped property, a

provision for future connection shall be mandatory.

a. Chapter IV, Section 51 of The Water Code, on water bodies;

c. As far as practicable, streets shall be laid out at right angles

b. National Power Corporation (NPC), on transmission lines;
to minimize critical intersections such as blind corners, skew

junction, etc.
d. Roads shall conform to sound engineering practices. Table 1. Parks and Playgrounds Allocation\

e. Subdivision projects shall comply to the pertinent DENSITY (No. of PARKS/PLAYGROUNDS

requirements of Batas Pambansa No. 344, otherwise known Lots/Dwelling Unit Per Allocation in Percent of

as the Accessibility Law. Hectare) Gross Area

20 and below 3.5
5. Installation of Street Names/Signs: 21 — 25 4.0
26 — 35 5.0
The developer shall bear the cost of installation of street
36 — 6.0
names/signs coincident with the construction of streets. 51 —65 7.0
Above 65 9.0
C. Design Parameters

1. Land Allocation
b.2 Community Facilities

For open market and medium cost subdivision projects with

Mandatory provision of areas for community facilities, such
an area of one (1) hectare or more, the percentage (%)
as neighbourhood multi-purpose center both for open market
allocation of land shall be as follows:
and medium cost housing projects with area one (1) hectare

a. saleable area — maximum of 70% of the gross area and above. These areas are non-saleable. However, the

developer may provide additional areas for community

b. non-saleable area — minimum of 30% of the gross area
facilities such as schools and commercial/retail centers in

The following non-saleable area shall be observed consistent excess of the mandatory requirement set forth in this rule

with PD No. 1216: which shall be deemed saleable. The use of the said area shall

be indicated in the plan and shall be annotated in the title

b.1 Parks/Playgrounds
thereto. (Refer to Table 2)
Allocation of area for parks and playgrounds shall be
Table 2. Facilities According to the Number of Saleable Lots/
mandatory for projects one (1) hectare or more and shall be
Dwelling Units for Subdivision Projects I hectare and Above
deemed non buildable area. The same shall be strategically

located within the subdivision project. Area allocated for

parks and playgrounds shall in no case be less than 100

square meters.

The percentage requirement for parks/playgrounds shall be

as follows:

*Mandatory non-saleable
** Optional saleable but when provided in the plan the same de-sac, loop, branch or "T", with a maximum length

shall be annotated in the title of 60 meters inclusive of terminal.

e) Service Roads - roads which provide for the

b.3 Circulation System
distribution of traffic among individual lots and

b.3.1 Hierarchy of Roads activity centers.

The circulation system for open market and medium cost

housing projects shall have the following hierarchy of roads:

f) Alley - a 2-meter wide walkway which shall be used

Table 3. Hierarchy of Roads to break a block and to serve pedestrians and for

emergency purposes. It shall not be used as access

to property.

b.3.2 Road Right-of-Way (ROW)

The corresponding right-of-way for hierarchy of roads

shall be as follows:

Table 4. Road Right-of-Way

Minimum road right-of-way shall be in accordance with b.3.2

of this section.

In no case shall a major road be less than 10 meters when

used as main access road and/or as future connection.

a) Major Road - a street or road linking the site and

serves as the main traffic artery within the project

site and shall traverse the longer axis of the

property.

b) Collector Road - a street or a road that services

pedestrian/vehicular traffic from minor roads

leading to major roads.

c) Minor Road - a road which main function is to

provide direct access to lots and other activity

a) Major roads shall maintain a uniform width of road
centers.
right-of-way. Tapering of road width shall not be allowed
d) Motor Courts - shall have a right-of-way of not less
where the road right-of-way is wider than the prescribed
than 6 meters in width with provision for sufficient
standard for the interconnecting road 2.5the proposed
space for vehicular turn around in the form of a cul-
su2.5vision.
 b) Interior Subdivision project must secure right-of-way Concrete pavement shall have a minimum thickness of

to the nearest public road and the right-of-way shall be 150 millimeters and a minimum compressive strength of

designated as interconnecting road with a minimum 20.7 Mega Pascal (Mpa) while asphalt shall have a

width of 10 meters. This fact shall be annotated on the minimum thickness of 50 millimeters.

title of said road lot and must be donated and deemed

Sidewalk pavement shall have a minimum compressive
turned over to the LGU upon completion of the said
strength of 17.2 Mega Pascal.
interconnecting road. (See Figure 1)

b.3.5 Road Intersection

Figure 1. Interconnecting Road

Roads should intersect at right angles as much as

c) Subdivision projects abutting main public road must
practicable. Multiple intersections along major roads
provide a setback of 3-meter deep by 5-meter in length
shall be minimized. Distance between offset intersections
at both sides of the subdivision entrance to
should not be less than 20 meters from corner to corner.
accommodate loading and unloading of passengers (see
Intersections should occur on straight sections instead of
Figure 2).
on curved sections of road and on gentle grades with

Figure 2. Setback Requirement along Main Public Road clear sight distance.

d) Subdivision projects shall have provision for future Road intersections shall be provided with adequate curb

expansion where applicable, by designating the major radii consistent with sound engineering principles. (see

roads, as prescribed in Sec. 1.C.b.3.2 as the Figure 3)

interconnecting road right-of-way for both open market

Figure 3 : Curb Radii Dimension
and medium cost housing projects

B.3.6 Road Grade/Slope

b.3.3 Planting Strips

Crown of the roads shall have a slope of not less than 1.5
Planting strips shall be observed with the following road
percent, while curbs and gutters shall not be less than 7
specifications:
percent to 9 percent (see Figure 4).

Table 5. Width of Planting Strips and Sidewalks

Grades and vertical curbs shall conform to the design

requirements of the Department of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH).

FIGURE 4. ROAD GRADE/SLOPE

2. Lot requirements

a. Lot Layout:
b.3.4 Road Pavement
The following shall be considered when plotting the
All roads for both open market and medium cost housing
subdivision project:
projects shall be paved with either concrete or asphalt.
A.1 Preservation of site assets and proper siting orientation of C.3 Whenever possible, lot frontage elevation shall be at

lots; blending with existing and proposed development in the street level.

vicinity; and
C.4 Lot lines shall preferably be made perpendicular to street

A.2 Application of workable design principles/parameters for lines.

a well planned environment.

C.5 Deep lots and irregularly shaped lots shall be avoided.

To accommodate a wider range of clientele (in terms of

C.6 Lots shall be planned with adequate width for side yards.
income level and lifestyle), and to provide diversity in housing

design in a subdivision project, the owner/developer is C.7 Lots shall be protected against risks.

encouraged to allocate areas for various housing types such

C.8 Lots shall not be laid out if potential risks exist e.g.
as single-detached, duplex/single attached and row houses.
erosion, slides, flooding, fault lines, etc.

b. Minimum Lot Area

d. Lot Frontage

The minimum lot area for various types of housing under

The minimum lot frontages for various types of housing under
open market and medium cost housing project shall be as
open market and medium cost housing projects shall be as
follows:
follows:

Table 6. Minimum Lot Area

Table 7. Minimum Lot Frontage

Saleable lots designated as duplex/single attached and/or

The number of rowhouses shall not exceed 20 units per
rowhouse lots shall be provided with housing units.
block/cluster but in no case shall this be beyond 100 meters

Price of saleable lots intended for single-detached units shall in length.

not exceed 40 percent of the maximum selling price of house

3. Length of Block
and lot packages.

Maximum length of block shall be 400 meters, however,

c. Lot Design
blocks exceeding 250 meters shall be provided with an alley

C.1 Saleable lots shall be designed such that they are not approximately at mid-length.

bisected by political boundaries, water courses, drainage

4. Shelter Component
ways and utility lines.

a. Minimum floor area for open market housing shall be 42

C.2 A lot shall be served by an independent access road.
square meters and 30 square meters for medium cost

housing.
b. Minimum level of completion - complete house for all Accordingly, every water service entrance or connection shall

types of dwelling units based on the submitted specifications. be provided with a pressure-compensating, self-regulating,

constant flow valve or fitting to ensure equitable distribution

Provision of firewall shall be in conformity with the Fire Code
of water, water and power conservation, and longterm
of the Philippines and mandatory for duplexes/single
savings on operational costs of the water system.
attached units and every unit for rowhouses (refer to Fig. 5)

a.6 Each subdivision shall have at least an operational deep

5. Yard/Setback
well and pump sets with sufficient capacity to provide

The minimum setback of dwelling units both for open market Average Daily Demand (ADD) to all homeowners.

and medium cost housing projects shall conform to the

b. Water Requirement - Every dwelling unit shall be served by
National Building Code of the Philippines.
an individual supply of water sufficient to meet the total

6. Water Supply System hourly domestic needs of every household for any 8 hour

period.
a. Specific Rules:

The Average Daily Demand (ADD) for both open market and
The subdivision water supply shall be mandatory or
medium cost housing projects is 150 liters per capita per day
obligatorily connected to an appropriate public water system
(LCPD) household connection. (Per Board Resolution No. 506,
or community system provided that the water supply is
series of 1992)
enough to meet the total daily requirements of the

anticipated population. c. Fire Protection Demand - Provision for fire protection shall

comply with the requirements of the National Fire Protection

When neither a public water system, nor an acceptable
Code.
community system is available, a centralized water supply

system shall be accepted, provided that: d. Water Tank Capacity - 20% ADD plus fire reserve.

a.1 The technical consultant of the developer shall determine e. Pipes - Pipes shall conform to the standards required by

the location and discharge capacity of the water source(s) Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)

within the subdivision; and/or Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

a.2 The permit to drill well(s) or tap water lines from the 7. Electrical power supply

appropriate government agencies shall be obtained;

Mandatory individual household connection to primary

a.3 The water source shall be sufficient to meet the daily and/or alternate sources of power.

water requirements of every household in the subdivision;

Installation practices, materials and fixtures used shall be in

a.4 No hazards shall exist in the immediate vicinity of the accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Electrical

water source that might reduce or pollute the supply; Code and/or local utility company.

a.5 Water distribution shall be assured.

Provision of street lighting per pole is mandatory at 50-meter For both open market and medium cost subdivision projects,

distance and every other pole if distance is less than 50 underground drainage system shall be properly engineered

meters. and environmentally sound and shall be provided with

adequate Reinforced Concrete Pipes (RCP), catch basins

Electrical bills for streetlights shall be proportionately
manholes, inlets and cross drain for efficient maintenance.
shouldered by the users thereof prior to issuance of
Minimum drainage pipes diameter shall be 30 centimeters.
Certificate of Completion (COG) and turn-over of open space

to LGU. 10. Garbage Disposal System

8. Sewage Disposal System The subdivision shall have a sanitary and efficient refuse

collection and disposal system, whether independently or in

The sewage disposal system for open market and medium
conjunction with the municipal/city garbage collection and
cost subdivision projects shall either be any of the following:
disposal services.

a. Connection to Community Sewer System

The Summarized Planning and Design Standards for Open

Connections shall be made to an approved public or Market and A Medium Cost Subdivision Projects is

community sewer system, subject to the requirements and presented in Table 8

provisions of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and other

applicable rules and regulations.

b. Septic Tanks

Where community sewer system is not available, sewage

shall be disposed of and treated in individual septic tanks.

Construction of individual septic tanks shall conform to the

design standards of Sanitation Code of the Philippines (PD

856) and National Plumbing Code of the Philippines (RA

1378).

9. Drainage System

The drainage system of the subdivision shall conform to the

natural drainage pattern of the subdivision site, and shall

drain into appropriate water bodies or public drainage

system. In no case shall drainage outfalls drain into a private

lot. Its layout shall conform to sound engineering design/

principles certified by a duly licensed civil/sanitary engineer.

Drain lines shall be of durable materials and approved

installation practices.
TABLE 8. Planning and Design Standards for a Residential Subdivision Project Under PD 957
  REVISED RULES AND STANDARDS FOR ECONOMIC RULE II MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR

AND SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROJECTS TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIALIZED HOUSING PROJECT

IMPLEMENT BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 220

Section 3. Compliance with Standards and Guidelines

Pursuant to Section 3 of BP 220, the Housing and Land Use

Development of economic and socialized housing projects
Regulatory Board is authorized to establish and promulgate
shall be in accordance with the minimum design standards
two levels of standards and technical requirements for the
herein set forth.
development of economic and socialized housing
Section 4. Basis and Objectives of the Minimum Design
projects/units in urban and rural areas from those provided in
Standards.
PD 957, PD 1216, PD 1096, and PD 1185, hence the following

rules are hereby promulgated. The minimum design standards set forth herein are intended

to provide minimum requirements within the generally

RULE I
accepted levels of safety, health and ecological
GENERAL PROVISIONS
considerations. Variations, however are also possible, as may

Section 1. Scope of Application be based on some specific regional, cultural and economic

setting, e.g., building materials, space requirement and usage.

These rules and standards shall apply to the development of
This minimum design standards encourages the use of duly
economic and socialized housing projects in urban and rural
accredited indigenous materials and technology such as
areas as defined in Section 2 of BP Blg. 220. They shall apply
innovative design and systems, modular systems and
to the development of either a house and lot or a house or lot
components among others. The parameters used in
only.
formulating these Design Standards are:

Section 2. Declaration of Policies

A. Protection and safety of life, limb, property and general

It is a policy of the government to promote and encourage public welfare.

the development of economic and socialized housing

B. Basic needs of human settlements, enumerated in
projects, primarily by the private sector in order to make
descending order as follows:
available adequate economic and socialized housing units for

average and low income earners in urban and rural areas. 1. Water 2. Movement and circulation 3. Storm drainage 4.

Solid and liquid waste disposal 5. Park/playground 6. Power

The provision of these basic needs shall be based on the

actual setting within which the project site is located.

C. Affordability levels of target market In determining whether an economic and socialized housing

shall be allowed, the following guidelines shall be considered.

Affordable cost - refers to the most reasonable price of land

and shelter based on the needs and financial capability of 3. Physical Suitability

Program Beneficiaries and Appropriate Financing Schemes

A potential site must have characteristics assuring healthful,
(RA 7279)
safe and environmentally sound community life. It shall be

D. Location stable enough to accommodate foundation load without

excessive site works. Critical areas (e.g., areas subject to

Both economic and socialized housing projects shall be
flooding, land slides and stress) must be avoided.
located within suitable site for housing and outside potential

hazard prone and protection areas. 4. Accessibility

The site must be served by a road that is readily accessible to

public transportation lines. Said access road shall conform to

Section 5. Technical Guidelines and Standards for
the standards set herein of these Rules to accommodate
Subdivisions
expected demand caused by the development of the area. In

A. Site Criteria no case shall a subdivision project be approved without

necessary access road/right-of-way constructed either by the

1. Availability of basic needs
developer or the Local Government Unit.
The prioritized basic needs cited earlier shall preferably be
B. Planning Considerations
available with reasonable distance from the project site, but

where these are not available, the same shall be provided for 1. Area Planning

by the developer.
Project design should consider not only the reduction of cost

2. Conformity with the Zoning Ordinance or Land Use Plan of of development to a minimum but also the provision for

the City/Municipality possible future improvement or expansion, as in the

prescription of lot sizes, right-of-way of roads, open space,

Generally, housing projects should conform with the zoning
allocation of areas for common uses and facilities.
ordinance of the city/municipality where they are located,

thus, shall be in suitable sites for housing. However, where Land allocation and alignment of the various utilities (roads,

there is no zoning ordinance or land use plan, the drainage, power and water) of the subdivision shall be

predominant land use principle and site suitability factors integrated with those of existing networks as well as projects

cited herein shall be used in determining suitability of a outside the boundaries of the project site, e.g. access roads

project to a site. set forth herein and should follow the standard specifications

of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Furthermore, if the project is undoubtedly supportive of

other land uses and activities (e.g., housing for industrial 2. Site Preservation/Alteration

workers) said project shall be allowed.

a. Slope
The finished grade shall have a desired slope to allow rain f. Other related laws

water to be channeled into street drains. Where cut and fill is

4. Circulation
necessary, an appropriate grade shall be attained to prevent

any depression in the area. a. Depending on the classification of roads adjacent to the

subdivision and the size of the project site, road network

Grading and ditching shall be executed in a manner that will
should result into a hierarchy of functions and should define
prevent erosion or flooding of adjoining properties.
and serve the subdivisions as one integrated unit.

b. Preservation of Site Assets

b. Roads complemented with pathwalk within the subdivision

Suitable trees with a caliper diameter of 200 milimeters or must be so aligned to facilitate movement within and in

more, shrubs and desirable ground cover shall be preserved. linking the subdivision to the nearest major transportation

Where a good quality top soil exists in the site, it shall not be route and adjacent property.

removed and shall be preserved for finishing grades of yards,

Whenever there is/are existing roads within the project site
playgrounds, parks and garden area.
which shall be made part of the subdivision, these shall be

c. Ground Cover improved in accordance with the standards set forth herein.

Grass, shrubs, plants and other landscaping materials used c. Streets should conform to the contours of the land as much

for ground cover shall be of variety appropriate for its as practicable.

intended use and location. They shall be so planted as to

d. Provisions of major street extension for future connection
allow complete and permanent cover of the area.
to adjoining developed and/or underdeveloped properties

3. Easements shall be mandatory and integrated or aligned with existing

ones, if any.
Subdivision projects shall observe and conform to the

provisions of easements as may be required by: e. Streets shall be so laid out to minimize critical intersections

such as blind corners, skew junctions, etc.

a. Chapter IV, Section 51 of the Water Code of the Philippines

on water bodies f. Roads shall conform with civil work design criteria as per

Section 10.B.3 of this rules and sound engineering practices.

b. National Power Corporation (NPC) on transmission lines

C. Design Parameters
c. Fault traces as identified by PHIVOLCS per Resolution No.

515, series of 1992 1. Land Allocation

d. Right-of-way of other public companies and other entities. a. Saleable Areas

e. For projects abutting national roads (primary roads) There shall be no fixed ratio between the saleable portion

adequate easement shall be provided for road including and non-saleable portion of a subdivision project. b. Non-

loading and unloading as may be required by national/local saleable Areas

government units.
Non-saleable areas shall conform with the minimum facilities such as schools and convenience/retail centers in

requirements for open space comprising those allotted for excess of the requirement set forth in this Rule which shall be

circulation system, community facilities and parks and deemed saleable. The use of the said area shall be indicated

playgrounds. in the plan and annotated in the title thereto. (Refer to Table

2)
b.1 Allocation of Area for Parks and Playgrounds

Area allocated for parks and playgrounds shall be mandatory

for projects 1 hectare or above and shall be strategically

located within the subdivision project.

Allocated areas for parks and playgrounds shall be non-

alienable and nonbuildable for community hall but buildable

Community facilities shall be strategically located and easily
for basketball court. It shall be exclusive of those areas
accessible where they can serve a maximum number of
allocated for community facilities and shall vary according to
population, preferably near or side by side by
the density of lots and/or dwelling units in the subdivision,
park/playground.

The area allocated for community facilities shall vary with the

density of the subdivision, i.e., number of lots and/or living

units whichever is applicable, as shown below:

In no case shall an area allocated for parks and playgrounds

be less than 100 square meters. An addition of 1% increment

for every 10 or fraction thereof above 225.

The site shall not be subject to flooding nor situated in steep

b.3 Circulation System
slopes. Sites potentially hazardous or dangerous to the health

and safety of users especially children, should be avoided, The area allocated for circulation system shall not be fixed, as

e.g., along rivers, near dumping site, etc. long as the prescribed dimension and requirements for access

(both for project site and dwelling units) specified in these

Location of parks shall be based on hierarchy, accessibility
Rules are complied with.
and shall be free from hazards, risks, barriers, etc.

Land circulation system shall comply with the pertinent

b.2 Area Allocated for Community Facilities Mandatory
requirements of BP 344 otherwise known as the Accessibility
provision of area for neighborhood multi-purpose center both
Law.
for economic and socialized housing projects with a gross

area of 1 hectare and above. These areas are non-saleable. Below are the planning considerations to be observed for

However, the developer may provide for areas for community circulation layout:
a. Observance of the hierarchy of roads within the Major roads shall maintain a uniform width of road right-of-

subdivision. b. Conformance to natural topography. c. way. Tapering of road width shall not be allowed where the

Consideration for access and safety, e.g., adequate radius, road right-of-way is wider than the prescribed standard for

minimum number of roads at intersections, moderate the interconnecting road of the proposed subdivision.

slope/grade, adequate sight distance, no blind

Minor roads shall have a right-of-way of 6.50 meters wide.
corners, etc. d. Optimization as to number of lots to lessen
Interior subdivision project must secure right-of-way to the
area for roads, at the same time enhances community
nearest public road and the right-of-way shall be designated
interaction.
as interconnecting road with a minimum width of 10 meters.

b.3.1 Hierarchy of Roads This fact shall be annotated on the title of the said road lot

and must be donated and deemed turned over to the LGU

Hierarchy of roads (with respect to function, dimensions and
upon completion of the said interconnecting road. (See Figure
project area) shall be observed when planning the road
1: Interconnecting Road
network such that no major or minor road align with an alley

or path walk.

b.3.2 Road Right-Of-Way The corresponding right-of-way

for hierarchy of roads shall be as follows:

Subdivision projects abutting a main public road must provide

sufficient setbacks with a minimum dimension of 3.0 meters

in depth and 5.0 meters in length at both sides of the

subdivision entrance to accommodate loading and unloading

of passengers. (See Figure 2: Setback Requirement Along

Main Public Road)

The minimum right-of-way of major roads shall be in

accordance with the preceding table. However, in cases

where the major road will serve as interconnecting road, it

shall have a minimum right-of-way of 10 meters. It shall have

a 15-centimeter mix gravel (pit run) base course on well-

compacted sub grade.

Contiguous projects or projects to be developed by phases compressive strength of 20.7 Mpa at 28 days. Sidewalk or

shall be provided with interconnecting roads with a minimum alley shall be of macadam finish.

right-of-way of 10.0 meters.

b.3.5 Road Intersection

Alley shall have a width of 2.0 meters intended to break a

Roads should intersect at right angles as much as practicable.
block and to serve both pedestrian and for emergency
Multiple intersections along major roads shall be minimized.
purposes, both ends connecting to streets. It shall not be
Distance between offset intersections should not be less than
used as access to the property.
20 meters from corner to corner.

Pathwalk shall have a width of 3.0 meters intended only to

Road intersections shall be provided with adequate curb radii
provide pedestrian access to property for socialized housing
consistent with sound engineering principles. (See Figure 3:
projects. It shall have a maximum length of 60 meters.
Curb Radii Dimension)

b.3.3 Planting Strips

Planting strips as required under PD 953 and its Implementing

Rules and Regulations shall be observed in accordance with

the following road specifications:

Note: Refer to Supplemental Rules and Regulations to

Implement PD 953 Tree Planting. – Every owner of existing

subdivision is required among others to plant trees in

designated area as per Resolution No. R-532, series of 1993.

(Approving the Rules and Regulations Implementing PD 953

“Requiring the Planting of Trees in Certain Places and

Penalizing Unauthorized Cutting, Destruction, Damaging and

b.3.6 Road Grade/Slope
Injuring of Certain Trees, Plans and Vegetation”).

Crown of the roads shall have a slope of not less than 1.5 to 9
b.3.4 Road Pavement
percent. (See Figure 4: Road Grade Slope)
Major, minor roads and motor court for economic and
Grades and vertical curbs shall conform to the design
socialized housing projects shall be paved with asphalt with
requirements of the Department of Public Works and
minimum thickness of 50 millimeters or concrete with
Highways (DPWH).
minimum thickness of 150 millimeters and a minimum
 The minimum lot area of various types of housing for

economic and socialized housing project shall be as follows:

Note:

1. Saleable lots designated as duplex/single attached and/or

row house lots shall be provided with housing components.2.

Price of saleable lots intended for single detached units shall

not exceed 40% of the maximum selling price of the house

2. Lot Requirement
and lot package.

a. Lot Planning
c. Lot Frontages(Amended per Board Res. No. 824, Series of

a.1 A lot shall be served by an independent access either by a 2008)

road, motor court, or path walk. Path walk shall have a

The minimum lot frontages for various types of housing both
maximum length of 60 meters intended only as pedestrian
for economic and socialized housing projects shall be as
access to property for socialized housing projects.
follows:

a.2 Deep lots and irregularly shaped lots shall be avoided.

a.3 Whenever possible, lot frontage elevation shall be at

street level.

a.4 Lots shall be protected against physical hazards. No lot

shall be laid out where potential risks exist (e.g. erosion,

Note:
slides, flooding, fault lines, etc.)

For row houses, there shall be a maximum of 20 units per

a.5 Lots shall be protected against non-conforming uses
block or cluster but in no case shall this be more than 100
and/or other risks through the provision of adequate buffer
meters in length.
strips, protective walls, and roads or other similar devices.

3. Length of Block
a.6 Lot shall be so laid out that administrative boundaries,

water courses/drainage ways utility lines do not bisect the Maximum block length is 400 meters. However, block length

lots. exceeding 250 meters shall already be provided with a 2-

meter alley approximately at midlength.

b. Minimum Lot Area(Amended per Board Res. No. 824,

Series of 2008) 4. Shelter Component

a. Floor Area Requirement

The minimum floor area requirement for single-family Each lot and/or living unit shall be served with water

dwelling shall be 22 square meters for economic housing and connection (regardless of the type of distribution system).

18 square meters for socialized housing. Water supply provided by the local water district shall be

potable and adequate. It shall be complemented/

b. Minimum Level of Completion
supplemented by other sources, when necessary, such as

The minimum level of completion for economic housing shall communal well, which may be located strategically for ease

be complete house based on the submitted specifications. For and convenience in fetching water by residents and at the

socialized housing project, it shall be shell house with doors same time not closer than 300 meters from each other.

and windows to enclose the unit.

If public water supply system is not available, the developer

shall provide for an independent water supply system within

the subdivision project. Minimum quantity requirement shall

Provision of firewall shall be mandatory for duplex and single-
be 150 liters per capita per day.
attached units and at every unit for row houses.

Each subdivision must have at least an operational deep well

5. Setback/Yard
and pump sets with sufficient capacity to provide average
The minimum setback of dwelling unit both for economic and
daily demand (ADD) to all homeowners provided a spare
socialized housing project shall be as follows:
pump and motor set is reserved.

a. Front Setback 1.5 m.

Likewise, required permits from the NWRB shall be obtained
b. Side yard 1. .5 m (from the building
and standards of the Local Water Utilities Administration
line)
c. Rear yard 2.0 m. (LWUA) shall be complied with.
d. Abutments May be allowed per

requirements of the National If ground reservoir is to be put up, an area shall be allocated

Building Code of the for this purpose (part of allocation for community facilities).

Philippines The size shall depend on volume of water intended to be

stored. It shall be protected from pollution by providing

6. Water Supply buffer of at least 25 meters from sources of

pollution/contamination.
Whenever a public water supply system exists, connection to

it by the subdivision is mandatory. For elevated reservoir, structural design shall comply with

accepted structural standards or the National Building Code

of the Philippines. The elevated reservoir or water tank

capacity must be 20% average daily demand plus fire reserve.

Alternative sources of water supply may be availed of such as

collected rain water and other devices with water

impounding capacity.
Provision for fire protection shall comply with the The sewage disposal system shall be communal or individual

requirements of the Fire Code of the Philippines. Whichever septic tank conforming to the design standard of the

is applicable, the Local Government Unit shall provide each Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

community with fire hydrants and a cistern that are

b. Connection to Community Sewer System
operational at all times.

Whenever applicable, connections shall be made to an

For a multi-storey building, a water tank shall be provided if
approved public or community sewer system, subject to the
the height of the building requires pressure in excess of that
requirements and provisions of the Sanitation Code of the
in the main water line. Capacity should be 20% average daily
Philippines and other applicable rules and regulations with
demand plus fire reserve.
regard to materials and installation practices.

7. Electrical Power Supply

9. Drainage System

When power is available within the locality of the project site,

The design of the drainage system of the subdivision shall
its connection to the subdivision is required. Actual
take into consideration existing development of adjacent
connection, however, may depend on the minimum number
areas relative to their impact/effect on its drainage system, if
of users as required by the power supplier.
any. Further, it shall conform with the natural drainage

pattern of the subdivision site, and shall drain into

appropriate water bodies or public drainage system or

Provision of street lighting per pole shall be mandatory if
natural outfalls. In no case shall drainage outfalls drain into a
poles are 50-meter distance and at every other pole if the
private lot. Its layout shall conform with sound engineering
distance is less than 50 meters. Installation practices,
design principles certified by a duly licensed civil/sanitary
materials and fixtures used, shall be in accordance with the
engineer. Drain lines shall be of durable materials and
provisions of the existing rules and regulations of the National
approved installation practices.
Electrical Code of the Philippines or the Local Electric

Franchise Holder/Local Electric Cooperative or the local utility The minimum drainage system for economic and socialized

company. housing shall be concrete lined canal with load bearing cover.

Electric bills shall be proportionately shouldered by the users In case of non-existence of drainage system in the locality,

prior to issuance of Certificate of Completion (COC) and turn catchment area for drainage discharge shall be provided for

over of open space to Local Government Unit (LGU). and developed by the owner/developer in consultation with

local authorities or private entities concerned, to prevent

8. Sewage Disposal System
flooding of adjacent property. Moreover, said catchment

area shall be made safe and maintained.

a. Septic Tank If applicable, underground drainage system shall be provided

with adequate reinforced concrete pipes (RCP), catch basins,

manholes/inlets and cross drain for efficient maintenance.

Minimum drainage pipe shall be 300 milimeters.

10. Garbage Disposal System fighting shall be part of the water supply requirements and

shall comply with the requirements of the local/district fire

Garbage disposal shall be undertaken by the local
unit of the Philippine National Police.
government or in the absence thereof, by individual lot

owners or homeowners association, with proper observance

of sanitary practices and methods.

11. Fire Firefighting

The Homeowners Association shall form fire brigade in

collaboration with the barangay fire brigade. Water for fire

Table 9: PLANNING AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR A RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION PROJECT UNDER BP 220
 Open spaces shall be located totally or distributed anywhere

within the lot in such a manner as to provide maximum light

and ventilation into the building. d. Sizes and Dimensions of

Courts or Yards

The minimum horizontal dimension of courts and yards shall

not be less than 2.0 meters. All inner courts shall be

connected to a street or yard, either by a passageway with a

Section 6. Building Design Standards and Guidelines Projects
minimum width of 1.20 meters or by a door through a room
incorporating housing components shall comply with the
or rooms.
following design standards and guidelines.
Every court shall have a width of not less than 2.0 meters for
A. Single-Family Dwelling (Applicable for both Economic and
one and two storey buildings. However, this may be reduced
Socialized Housing)
to not less than 1.50 meters in cluster living units such as

1. Lot Planning quadruplexes, row houses and the like, one or two stories in

height with adjacent courts with an area of not less than 3

a. Access to the Property
square meters. Provided, further, that the separation walls

Direct access to the single-family dwelling shall be provided or fences, if any, shall not be higher than 2.0 meters.

by means of an abutting public street or pathwalk. However, Irregularly shaped lots such as triangular lots and the like

pathwalk shall only be allowed as pedestrian access to whose courts may also be triangular in shape may be

property for Socialized Housing projects. exempted from having a minimum width of 2.0 meters,

provided that no side thereof shall be less than 3.0 meters.

b. Access to the Dwelling Unit

e. Abutments
An independent means of access to the dwelling unit shall be

provided without trespassing adjoining properties. Abutments on the side and rear property lines may be

Acceptable means of access to the rear yard of the dwelling allowed provided the following requirements shall be

unit shall be provided without passing through any other complied with:

dwelling unit or any other yard.

1) Open space as prescribed in the table below:

c. Open Space Requirements

 2) Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height of not less

than 1.80 meters above and below it, provided that it shall

not cover 50% of the floor area below it. (See Fig. 6:

Mezzanine Floor)

2)

Window opening as prescribed in number 2.C.2 below.

3) Firewall shall have a minimum of one-hour fire resistive

rating.

2. Building Design Standards (Applicable for both Economic

c. Openings
and Socialized Housing)

1) Doors
a. Space Standards

a) A minimum of one entrance/exit shall be provided where

Spaces within the dwelling structures shall be distributed in
the number of occupants is not more than 10 and 2
an economical, efficient and practical manner so as to afford
entrances/exits where the number of occupants is greater
the maximum living comfort and convenience and to insure
than 10.
health and safety among the occupants. It shall provide

complete living facilities for one family including provisions b) Doors shall have a minimum clear height of 2.0 meters.
for living, sleeping, laundry, cooking, eating, bathing and Except for bathroom and mezzanine doors which shall have a
toilet facilities. minimum clear height of 1.80 meters.

b. Ceiling Heights c) Minimum clear widths of doors shall be as follows:

1) Minimum ceiling height for habitable rooms shall be Main Door 0.80 m.
Service/Bedroom Doors 0.70 m.
measured from the finished floor line to the ceiling line.
Bathroom Door 0.60 m.
(See Fig. 7: Door Openings)
Where ceilings are not provided, a minimum headroom

clearance of 2.0 meters shall be provided. (See Fig. 5: Fig. 7 : Door Openings

Minimum Ceiling Heights)

2) Windows
a) Rooms for habitable use shall be provided with windows However, stairways with less than 4 risers need not have

with a total free area of openings equal to at least 10% of the handrails, and stairs with either a guard or wall on one end

floor area of the room. need not be provided with a handrail on that end.

f) Guard and Handrail Details. The design of guards and

handrails and hardware for attaching handrails to guards,

b) Bathrooms shall be provided with window/s with an area
balusters of masonry walls shall be such that these are made
not less than 1/20 of its floor area.
safe and convenient.

c) Required windows may open into a roofed porch where

f.1 Handrails on stairs shall not be less than 0.80 meter or
the porch:
more than 1.20 meters above the upper surface of the tread,

c.1 abuts court, yard, public street or alley, or open water measured vertically to the top of the rail from the leading

course and other public open spaces; edge of the tread. (See Fig. 8: Stairway Design)

c.2 has a ceiling height of not less than 2.0 meters. f.2 Handrails shall be so designed as to permit continuous

sliding of hands on them and shall be provided with a

3) Interior Stairs
minimum clearance of 38 millimeters from the wall to which
The stairs shall ensure structural safety for ascent and
they are fastened. (See Fig. 8: Stairway Design).
descent, even in extreme cases of emergency. It shall afford
f.3 The height of guards shall be measured vertically to the
adequate headroom and space for the passage of furniture.
top guard from the leading edge of the tread or from the
a) Width. Stairways shall have a minimum clear width of 0.60
floor of landings. It shall not be less than 0.80 meter and no
meter.
more than 1.20 meters. Masonry walls may be used for any

b) Riser and Run. Stairs shall have a maximum riser height of portion of the guard.

0.25 meter and a minimum tread width of 0.20 meter. Stair

treads shall be exclusive of nosing and/or other projections.

c) Headroom Clearance. Stairs shall have a minimum

headroom clearance of 2.0 meters. Such clearance shall be

established by measuring vertically from a place parallel and

tangent to the stairway tread moving to the soffit above all

points.

d) Landings. Every landing shall have a dimension measured

in the direction of travel equal to the width of the stairway.

g) Winding and Circular Stairways. Winding and circular
Maximum height between landing shall be 3.60 meters.
stairways may be used if the required width of run is provided

e) Handrails. Stairways shall have at least one handrail on at a point not more than 300 millimeters from the side of the

one side provided there is a guard or wall on the other side. stairway where the treads are narrower but in no case shall
any width of run be less than 150 milimeters at any point.
The maximum variation in the height of risers and the width
of treads in any one flight shall be 5 milimeters. (See Fig. 9:
Winding and Circular Stairways)
Fig. 9 : Winding and Circular Stairways
h) Ladders. The use of ladders may be allowed provided
that the maximum distance between landings shall be 1.80
meters.
d. Roofing
Roofing material that is impervious to water shall be
provided.
e. Electrical Requirements
There shall be provided at least one light outlet and one
convenience outlet per activity area.
f. Firewall(Amended per Board Res. No. 824, Series of 2008)
Whenever a dwelling abuts on a property line, a firewall shall
be required. The firewall shall be of masonry construction, at
least 150 millimeters or 6 inches thick and extend vertically
from the lowest portion of the wall adjoining the living units
up to a minimum height of 0.30 meter above the highest
point of the roof attached to it. The firewall shall also extend
horizontally up to a minimum distance of 0.30 meter beyond
the outermost edge of the abutting living units.
A firewall shall be provided for duplex/single-attached units
and at every unit for row houses. No openings whatsoever
shall be allowed except when the two abutting spaces of 2
adjacent living units are unenclosed or partially open, e.g.
carports, terraces, patios, etc.; instead, a separation wall shall
be required. (See Fig. 10: Firewall for Dwelling Units on
Property Line). Ceiling should be compartmentalized and
should not be continuous from one living unit to another.
Fig. 10: Firewall for Dwelling Units on Property Line
B. Multi-Family Dwellings and Condominiums (Applicable for
both Economic and Socialized Housing)
1. Lot Planning
a. Access to the property. Direct vehicular access to the
property shall be provided by means of an abutting improved
public street.
b. Access to the dwelling. An independent means of access
shall be provided to each dwelling, or group of dwellings in a
single plot, without trespassing adjoining properties. Each
dwelling must be capable of maintenance without trespassing
adjoining units. Utilities and service facilities must be
independent for each dwelling unit.
Each dwelling unit shall be provided with a sanitary means for
the removal of garbage and trash.
c. Access to living units. An independent means of access to
each living units shall be provided without passing through
any yard of a living unit or any other yard.
d. Non-residential use. Portions of the property may be

designed for nonresidential use provided the type of non-

residential use is harmonious or compatible with the

residential character of the property. Some examples of

allowable non-residential uses are private clinic/office,

garages, and carports.

2) Distance between buildings shall also be adequately

maintained to ensure light and ventilation. In general, the

The computation of the non-residential area shall include
minimum distance between 2 buildings in which the taller
hallways, corridors or similar spaces which serve both
buildings does not exceed 2 storeys shall be 4.0 meters. And
residential and nonresidential areas. (See Fig. 11: Non-
the minimum horizontal clearance between the two roof
Residential Use).
eaves shall be 1.50 meters. (See Fig. 12: Distance Between 2-

Storey Buildings).

e. Cooperative store, and structures for the homeowners’

association.
The minimum distance between two buildings wherein the

Any non-residential use of any portion of the property shall taller building has 3 or 4 storeys, shall be 6.0 meters. And the

be subordinate to the residential use and character of the minimum horizontal clearance between the two roof eaves

property. The floor area authorized for non-residential use, shall be 2.0 meters. (See Fig. 13: Distance Between 3-Storey

whether in the principal dwelling structure or in any Buildings)

accessory building, shall not exceed 25% of the total

Fig. 13: Distance Between 3 - Storey Buildings
residential area.

f. Open Space Requirements. Portions of the property shall

be devoted to open space to provide adequate light,

ventilation and fire safety.

1) Setbacks from the property line shall be maintained, the

minimum of which shall be the following:

The minimum distance between buildings with more than 4

storeys shall be 10 meters. The minimum horizontal

clearance shall be 6.0 meters.

Except, however, in cases when the two sides of the buildings perpendicular or diagonal parking and at 2.15 meters by 6.0

facing each other are blank walls, i.e., either there are no meters for parallel parking.

openings or only minimal openings for comfort rooms, the

The driveway may be used as parking area provided that the
minimum distance between the buildings shall be 2.0 meters.
minimum right-of-way shall be maintained. (See figure 16:
And the horizontal clearance between the roof eaves shall be
Parking Layout).
1.0 meter. (See Fig. 14: Distance Between Blank Walls of Two

Buildings)

Fig. 14: Distance Between Blank Walls of Two Buildings

In the measurement of distance between two buildings,

measurement shall be made where the distance between the

two buildings is shortest. (See Fig. 15: Measurement of

Distance Between Buildings).

Fig. 15: Measurement of Distance Between Buildings

g. Parking Requirements

For multi-family dwellings and condominiums, the parking

requirement shall be one (1) parking slot per eight (8) living

units. The size of an average automobile (car) parking slot

must be computed at 2.5 meters by 5.0 meters for

 a. Living Units

In general, all building design standards for the single-family

dwelling shall apply to all living units of multi-family

dwellings, except that, the minimum floor area of a living unit

in multi-family dwellings shall be 22 square meters for

economic housing and 18 square meters for socialized

housing. For BP 220 condominium projects, the minimum

floor area shall be 18 square meters.

b. Exits, Corridors, Exterior Exit Balconies and Common

Stairways

Standards for exits, corridors, exterior balconies and common

stairways shall conform with the provisions of the National

Building Code of the Philippines and its Implementing Rules

and Regulations as well as Section 3.1007 of the

Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fire Code of the

Philippines (Annex 1).

Automatic fire alarm suppression system should be provided

for structure more than 15 meters in height.

c. Utilities and Services

To ensure healthful and livable conditions in the project, basic

utilities and services shall be provided, the minimum

requirements of which shall be:

1) Water Supply
Off-site parking may be allowed in addition to on-site parking

provided that designated parking area is part of the project Water supply shall be potable and adequate in amount; a

and provided further that it shall not be 100 meters away main service connection and a piping system with communal

from the condominium project. faucets to serve the common areas like the garden,

driveways, etc. shall be provided. Pipes branching out from

Mandatory compliance with additional parking space
the main water line shall service the individual units which
required by local ordinances.
shall be provided with individual water meters.
2. Building Design Standards
2) Power Supply/Electrical Service
If available in the vicinity, a main power service shall be Philippines, Accessibility Law, National Industry Standards

provided with a main circuit to service common lighting as and other pertinent laws.

well as common power needs of the dwellings. Like the

Compliance to the provisions of the Fire Code of the
water system, however, branch circuits with separate meters
Philippines shall be mandatory.
shall service the individual living units.

3. General Construction Requirements

3) Drainage System

a. Structural RequirementsAll construction shall conform with

Surface run-offs shall be channeled to appropriate
the provisions of the latest edition of the Philippine Structural
repositories.
Code.

4) Sewage Disposal System

b. Electrical Requirements

Sewage disposal may be accomplished by any of the following

All electric systems, equipment and installation shall conform
means:
with the provisions of the latest edition of the Philippine

a) discharge to an existing public sewerage system Electrical Code and the requirements of the electric utility

that serves the locality.

b) treatment in a community disposal plant or communal

septic tank c. Sanitary Requirements.

c) treatment in individual septic tanks with disposal by All sanitary systems, equipment and installation shall conform

absorption field or leaching pit with the provisions of the latest edition of Sanitation Code of

the Philippines and its Implementing Rules and Regulations

5) Garbage Disposal System
and National Plumbing Code.

Adequate services for the regular collection and disposal of

d. Construction Materials .
garbage and rubbish shall be in compliance with applicable

local ordinances. The use of indigenous materials for site development and

construction of dwellings shall be encouraged, as long as

6) Elevator Requirements (If Applicable) (Amended per Board
these are in conformity with the requirements of these Rules
Res. No. 824, Series of 2008)
and ensures a building life span of at least 25 years, or in

Provision of elevators shall be required for buildings 6 storeys correspondence to loan terms payment.

and beyond. The same shall conform with the plans and

specifications of the duly licensed design architect/engineer

who shall determine the requirement for elevators including  Sustainable Housing

the number of cars, capacity, safety features and standards,

elevator type, speed and location in relation to the over all

design and use of the building. The design architect/engineer

shall certify under oath that all components thereof are in

accordance with the National Building Code of the

Sustainable housing needs to be designed to maximize “Disturbances” are adverse effects on controlled objects

occupants’ well-being and minimize the environmental load. which are caused by environmental, social, or economic

The pursuit of combining these two different aspects toward problems. Concrete examples of the disturbances include

sustainability is a goal-oriented task. The science of control harmful influences caused by environmental pollution and

can be applied to all goal-oriented tasks. various impacts resulting from climate change.

Therefore, applying control science, we have been The route from “disturbances” to “sustainability” is

progressing in research on sustainable housing design. “adaptation.” This route has been added, based on the recent

scientific understanding that adaptation measures to current

1. Introduction
and future impact caused by climate change are also

Housing is the most important place that supports people’s necessary toward sustainability.

well-being. Sheltering residents from severe climate and

The purpose of control is the achievement of “sustainability.”
weather, housing basically provides areas and facilities for
The model of sustainability (Figure 2) shows that
sleeping, preparing meals, eating, and hygiene. People also
sustainability needs both internal stability and fundamental
conduct other activities, such as childcare, nursing care,
stability, in order to realize the long-term well-being of all
communication, recreation, and learning, in their homes.
humankind or ultimate goal, within the finite global
Furthermore, the progress of information technology is
environment and natural resources or absolute limitations
currently increasing the number of people who work at

home. Internal stability means social and economic stability; the

conditions for internal stability are “health,” “safety,”

Sustainable housing needs to be designed to maximize
“mutual help,” and “selfrealization,” which are important for
residents’ well-being and minimize the environmental
the well-being of humans. On the other hand, fundamental
burden. The pursuit of combining these two different aspects
stability means environmental stability and a stable supply of
toward sustainability is a goal-oriented task. The science of
necessary goods; the conditions for fundamental stability are
control can be applied to all goal-oriented tasks and has
“environmental preservation” and “sustainable use of natural
produced extraordinary results in many fields, especially
resources”
engineering. Accordingly, applying control science, we have

been progressing in research on sustainable housing design.

In 2017, the already produced research results were compiled

into the monograph titled Sustainable Home Design by

Applying Control Science.

2. Control system for promoting sustainable housing design

The “control system for promoting sustainable housing

design” is demonstrated in Figure 1. The upper area of the

figure is the theoretical world; the lower area is the practical

world.
 When existing homes are objects, the design process begins

with “inspection” on the home as an object. The “people

involved in design” measure or estimate each element’s

variables of that home by referring to the “sustainability

checklist.” After the inspection, the people involved usually

make “drawings and specifications” for improvement, so that

controlled variables satisfy their desired values as much as

possible.

“Desired values” are derived from the purpose of control,

3. Process of producing and revising the design guidelines and
namely, sustainability. Meanwhile, “controlled variables” are
checklist
the variables that relate to controlled objects and need to be

controlled for primarily solving or preventing the problems or The process of producing and revising the sustainable design

adapting to disturbances. The control objective of this control guidelines and sustainability checklist is shown in Figure 3.

system is to adjust the controlled variables to their desired The upper and lower areas divided by the dotted line

values. represent the “theoretical world” and the “practical world,”

respectively. The central part demonstrates the course of

In the practical world, controlled objects are both “new
preparing and using the “sustainable design guidelines” and
homes” and “existing homes.” “People involved in design,”
“sustainability checklist.” First, system designers produce or
such as homeowners, architects, designers, and
revise the guidelines and checklist through the three-stage
homebuilders, adjust the controlled variables to their desired
process. Next, system users utilize the guidelines and
values, by utilizing the “sustainable design guidelines” and
checklist. After that, the residents use the actual homes that
“sustainability checklist.” Both the design guidelines and
have been designed with the guidelines and checklist. The
checklist have almost the same structure, namely, elements,
four blocks on the left show the items to check when
variables, and their desired values. However, the checklist is
producing or revising the guidelines and checklist. The
created to easily compare measured or estimated variables
contents in these four items can change over time.
with the desired values and search for controlled variables.
Meanwhile, the two blocks on the lower right show the items

When objects are new homes, first, information on the to check when revising the guidelines and checklist, based on

desired values reaches “people involved in design” through the feedback from the system users and home residents.

the “sustainable design guidelines.” People involved make

“drawings and specifications,” so that the variables of home’s

elements can attain their desired values as much as possible.

At important steps in the design process, people involved

check the drawings and specifications, by referring to the

“sustainability checklist”.
 resources, and waste. Meanwhile, damage caused

by earthquakes is included in local/particular

problems.

3.1.2 Identification of the requirements for sustainable

housing design

In the second stage, based on the identified problems related

to housing, system designers identify the requirements for

sustainable housing design. For example, if “depletion of

natural resources” and “waste” are identified as problems in

the first stage, the “extension of housing lifespan” and “use of

resource-saving or wasteprevention materials” are usually

identified as the requirements. These two requirements are

3.1 Process of producing the design guidelines and checklist related to “sustainable use of natural resources,” one of the

six stability conditions. Similarly, “damage caused by

The process of producing the design guidelines and checklist
earthquakes” requires “higher resistance to earthquakes,”
consists of three stages: (1) identification of environmental,
which is related to “safety,” another stability condition. In
social, and economic problems related to housing, (2)
addition, observation of “trends in understanding about
identification of the requirements for sustainable housing
sustainable housing” also helps the system designers to
design, and (3) determination of elements, variables, and
identify such requirements.
their desired values in the design guidelines and checklist.

3.1.3 Determination of elements, variables, and their desired

3.1.1 Identification of problems related to housing
values
Producing the guidelines starts with the identification of
In the third stage, the requirements for sustainable housing
environmental, social, and economic problems related to
design are converted into the “element-variable-desired
housing. Observing trends in understanding about problems
value” structure of the guidelines and checklist. The purpose
related to housing, system designers search for the problems
of this conversion is the convenience of users in the practical
that should be identified. The basis for the identification is
world. The structure of “element-variable-desired value”
that the problems affect the total six stability conditions,
shows design targets of each part of homes; therefore, it
namely, health, safety, mutual help, self-realization,
enables users to easily understand what should be designed
environmental preservation, and sustainable use of natural
and the courses of design.
resources. When identifying problems, system designers take

up both global/general problems and local/ particular 3.1.3.1 Elements

problems in their region or country.

The previous publications have presented a method of

 Examples of global/general problems are global selecting important elements of homes, based on two main

warming and climate change, depletion of natural factors: “material” and “space.” “Material” regards housing
as the aggregate of material elements, such as framework, relevant stability condition, as well as “higher resistance to

exterior, thermal insulation, windows and doors, interior, earthquakes,” the related requirement. They can

piping, and equipment for harnessing natural energy. “Space” subsequently identify “resistance to earthquakes,” an

considers housing as the aggregate of spatial elements, such indicator of “safety,” as an additional variable.

as rooms and areas. In addition, material elements and

3.1.3.3 Desired values
spatial elements are equivalent to actual parts of homes.

Accordingly, when designing, checking, evaluating, or After determining variables, system designers set the desired

inspecting homes, system users can easily compare the values of these variables that can meet the relevant stability

guidelines and checklist with the actual home or drawings. conditions. Setting variables’ desired values requires

When selecting elements, system designers also consider the observing two items in the practical world: “trends in

requirements for sustainable housing design. In other words, technology related to housing” and “trends in systems related

the elements that are required for sustainable housing design to housing design.” Observing trends in technology is

need to be included in the set of elements. For instance, significant for determining variables’ desired values of

“equipment for rainwater use” should be selected as one of material elements. Meanwhile, observing trends in systems

material elements, even though it is not common in current related to housing design is necessary and useful for setting

ordinary homes. the desired values of most variables. In this context, systems

related to housing design include both compulsory and

3.1.3.2 Variables
voluntary systems. Compulsory systems are building codes

After selecting elements, system designers examine the and regulations; voluntary systems are typically assessment

relationships between each element and the relevant stability and rating systems, standards, and design guidelines. For

condition(s), as well as the related requirement(s) for example, if “durability” and “materials” have been identified

sustainable housing design. Subsequently they determine the as variables of “framework,” the desired values of these

element’s variables that can indicate the degree of stability. variables can be determined in the following way. As for

“durability,” the system designers can set its desired value,

Choosing only one element, namely, “framework,” the rest of
considering a necessary level of framework’s lifespan or
this part shows how to determine the variables. System
deterioration resistance. Similarly, they can determine the
designers examine the relationships between “framework”
desired value of “materials,” based on a necessary level of
and “sustainable use of natural resources,” the relevant
utilizing materials which promotes resource-saving or waste-
stability condition, as well as the “extension of housing
prevention, such as renewable, recycled, and recyclable
lifespan” and “use of resourcesaving or waste-prevention
materials. When determining the desired values of
materials,” the related requirements. As a result, they can
“durability” and “materials,” it is significant to refer to
identify “durability” and “materials,” indicators of
relevant information in voluntary systems. Information on
“sustainable use of natural resources,” as variables of
these desired values is usually included in voluntary systems,
“framework.” Moreover, if the country or region is in an
such as assessment and rating systems, and standards,
earthquake-prone area, the system designers consider the
whereas such information is outside the scope of building
relationships between “framework” and “safety,” the
codes. Accordingly, system designers can set these desired
values, by utilizing related criteria and information which are design. When amending these two lists, it is also necessary to

included in the relevant voluntary systems. Meanwhile, if observe the latest trends in “understanding about problems

“resistance to earthquakes” has been identified as a variable related to housing” and “understanding about sustainable

of “framework,” the desired value is a sufficient level of housing.” After that, system designers consider modifications

preventing damage caused by earthquakes. In quake-prone on the “element-variable-desired value” structure of the

countries, quakeproofing standards are usually stipulated in guidelines and checklist.

the building codes. However, if system designers consider

3.2.2 Changes in the practical world
that the standard value specified in the building codes is

insufficient, they make an addition to the standard value, so In addition to changes in the theoretical world, changes in the

as to suit the desired value. On the other hand, if they practical world need to be reflected. Changes over time in the

consider that the standard value is suitable to the desired practical world include “changes in technology related to

value, they can use it as it is. In the latter case, the variable housing” and “changes in systems related to housing design.”

and its desired value can be omitted from the guidelines and In order to search for “changes in technology related to

checklist, because people naturally conform to compulsory housing,” system designers need to watch the housing

building codes. industry and regularly observe products related to housing.

Housing-related products are closely connected with material

3.2 Process of revising the design guidelines and checklist
elements in the guidelines. Therefore, if there are remarkable

The “sustainable design guidelines” and “sustainability technological changes in housingrelated products, such

checklist” need to be revised, for adjustment to changing changes can be smoothly taken up in the guidelines, by

situations as well as for higher accuracy and user-friendliness. arranging relevant material elements’ variables and their

The revision process can be divided into three spheres: desired values. Meanwhile, changes in existing systems

related to housing design also occur. Such changes include

(1) changes in the theoretical world,
revisions or alterations of compulsory systems, including

(2) changes in the practical world, and building codes, and voluntary systems, such as assessment

and rating systems, and standards. System designers can

(3) feedback from the users. After making preparations from
include such changes in the guidelines, usually by modifying
the above three perspectives, system designers modify the
relevant variables’ desired values.
tables of the guidelines and checklist.

3.2.3 Feedback from the users

3.2.1 Changes in the theoretical world

As demonstrated in the lower part of Figure 3, “feedback

Noticeable changes over time in the theoretical world are
from the system users” and “feedback from the home
necessary to be reflected in the guidelines and checklist. First,
residents” are also necessary to be considered. The feedback
after searching for recent changes in problems which affect
from the system users is information about reactions to the
the six stability conditions shown in Figure 2, system
guidelines and checklist, including comments on the validity
designers can amend the list of problems. Based on the
and user-friendliness of these systems. Such information is
amended list of problems, the system designers can also
used as a basis for the improvement of the systems.
amend the list of the requirements for sustainable housing
Meanwhile, the feedback from the home residents is local/particular are short lifespan of houses, poor indoor

information about reactions to the homes that have been thermal performance, damage caused by earthquakes, and

designed with the guidelines and checklist. Such information, poor landscape. In addition, the boundary between the two

including comments on the homes’ amenities and types is not so distinguishable.

sustainability performance, is also useful for the

4.1.2 Identification of the requirements for sustainable
improvement of the systems.
housing design

4. Illustration of producing and revising the design guidelines

After determining the problems related to housing, we

4.1 Design guidelines produced in Japan identified the requirements for sustainable housing design.

For instance, “global warming and climate change” require

We produced sustainable design guidelines, with a mind to
“energy saving,” “use of renewable energy,” and
utilization in Japan. The English translation of the design
“conservation of green space,” for sustainable housing
guidelines has been demonstrated in Table 2 in the
design. Similarly, “poor indoor thermal performance”
monograph’s Chapter 4, “Methodology of Applying Control
demands “improvement of indoor thermal performance.” In
Science to Sustainable Housing Design.” This section briefly
addition, items shown in the right column of Table 1 are
reviews the process of producing the design guidelines, anew
relevant stability conditions.
following the three-stage production process shown in

Section 3.1 and Figure 3. In addition, the design guidelines 4.1.3 Determination of elements, variables, and their desired

shown in the monograph’s Chapter 4 were through a values

revision; however, this section considers the design

Based on the method of selecting material and spatial
guidelines as the newly produced version, for the
elements of homes, as well as the requirements for
convenience of explanation.
sustainable housing design, first we determined the elements

in the design guidelines. The total number of elements was

26, made up of 14 material elements and 12 spatial elements.

The material elements were framework, exterior, thermal

4.1.1 Identification of problems related to housing insulation, windows and doors, interior, bathtub, piping,

water heater, appliances, lighting fixtures, equipment for

The process of producing the guidelines starts with
harnessing natural energy, equipment for rainwater use,
identifying environmental, social, and economic problems
water-using equipment, and outdoor facilities. The spatial
related to housing. In this case, identified main problems are
elements were total floor, specified bedroom, areas relating
shown in the second column of Table 1. In this table, the
to water use and hot-water supply, position and area of
identified problems are divided into two types:
windows, toilet, bathroom, stairs, doorways, hallway, main
“global/general problems” and “local/particular problems.”
access route to the entrance, slope, and garden area.
Global/general problems include global warming and climate

change, depletion of natural resources, waste, and increase After selecting the elements, we determined the variables

of medical and nursing care expenses due to aging and their desired values. Choosing only one element, that is,

population. On the other hand, main problems considered as

“thermal insulation,” the rest of this section shows the details 4.2 The latest revision of the design guidelines

of determining the variable and its desired value. First, we

The design guidelines, the production process of which has
identified “thermal insulation performance” as the variable,
been illustrated in the above, have most recently been
considering two requirements, namely, “improvement of
revised. This latest revision has dealt with the three
indoor thermal performance” and “energy saving,” as well as
perspectives previously mentioned:
the relevant stability conditions. Higher thermal insulation

performance contributes to occupants’ better “health” as (1) changes in the theoretical world,

well as “environmental preservation” and “sustainable use of

(2) changes in the practical world, and
natural resources” through a reduction in energy usage for
(3) feedback from the users.
heating and air conditioning.

4.2.1 Changes in the theoretical world

After that, observing trends in systems and technology

related to housing thermal insulation performance, we set First, observing recent trends in understanding about

the desired value of the variable. The set desired value was housing-related problems, we have searched for the

“Grade 4” in the “energy-saving action grades (thermal problems that affect conditions for stability. As a result, we

insulation performance grades)” of the Japan Housing have identified four additional problems which should be

Performance Indication Standards (JHPIS) [3]. “Grade 4” is the dealt with, as shown in the second column of Table 2. Two of

highest in the above grades. In addition, housing thermal them are global/general problems; the other two are

insulation performance is not stipulated in the building codes local/particular problems. Based on these four problems,

in Japan. Accordingly, utilizing the JHPIS, a national voluntary additional requirements for sustainable housing design have

system, we determined the desired value also been identified. After that, these additional requirements

have been incorporated into the structure of

“elementvariable-desired value.” The following describes the

essentials of the identification and incorporation processes,

by each requirement.

4.2.1.1 Storage of electricity

The Paris Agreement of 2015 has aimed to hold global

temperatures “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and

to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C”

[8]. According to the latest IPCC report of 2018, limiting global

warming to 1.5°C compared with 2°C would reduce

challenging impacts on ecosystems, human health, and well-

being [9]. In such very recent situations, the use of renewable

energy, especially solar and wind power generation, is rapidly

growing in many countries [10]. However, the amount of

electricity derived from solar and wind sources fluctuates for homeworking, telecommuting, and lifelong learning” as a

with time of day, season, and random factors including requirement for sustainable housing design.

weather. Accordingly, sharp increase in solar and wind power

When “considerations for homeworking, telecommuting, and
generation is also increasing breakdown risks in electricity
lifelong learning” is incorporated into the guidelines, “area(s)
systems [11, 12]. Responding to such changing situations, we
for working and learning” has been added as a new spatial
have added “storage of electricity” as a requirement for
element. In addition, we consider that the “area for learning”
sustainable housing design. Battery electricity storage
is used by both adults and children. After that, we have
systems are developing fast, with falling costs and improving
identified two variables of this new element, namely,
performance [13]. In addition, storing electricity leads to
“place(s) in the home” and “equipment.” The desired value of
securing emergency power source, which is one of adaptation
“place(s) in the home” has been determined to be “in or near
measures against climate change.
the living/dining room and kitchen area.” A reason for this

4.2.1.2 Considerations for homeworking, telecommuting, and setting is that “in or near the living/dining room and kitchen

lifelong learning area” is convenient for combining working or learning with

childcare or nursing care. Moreover, this layout is also

Recently housing has been becoming more important as a
expected to facilitate communication among residents, as
place of work. The development of information technology
shown in Figure 4(a). Meanwhile, the desired value of
and spread of the Internet are facilitating home-based
“equipment” has been set at “table/desk and shelf (fixed or
businesses. Meanwhile, an increasing number of companies
movable) and Internet connection.”
have been adopting telecommuting [14, 15]. A great

advantage of working at home is compatibility with childcare 4.2.1.3 Floor planning suitable for good communication

or nursing care. Moreover, working at home is also favorable among residents

for the environment because it can reduce energy for

In Japan, many studies on sociology and housing have
commuting.
pointed out that inappropriate room planning is related to

social problems, such as school nonattendance and social

withdrawal [17–20]. In the Japanese housing market, there

are many homes, the floor plans of which are like the

conceptual layout shown in Figure 4(b). In homes with such

floor plans, children easily enter their private rooms without

seeing other family members and can stay isolated. As a

result, lack of communication can cause underdeveloped

In the past, homes were not considered important as places communication skills and moreover school nonattendance

of work and lifelong learning. Therefore, if attempting to start [17, 19]. School nonattendance and social withdrawal are

working or learning at home, people sometimes face closely related to domestic violence [19] and difficulty in

difficulties due to a shortage of space and facilities. Taking entering higher-level schools and finding jobs. Therefore,

such situations into account, we have added “considerations aiming to prevent these social problems, we have identified
“floor planning suitable for good communication among The key space to communication among residents is the

residents” as an additional requirement for sustainable “living/dining room and kitchen area”; therefore, we have

housing design. added this area to the design guidelines as a new spatial

element. After that, we have identified two variables of this

element, that is, “place in the home” and “type of kitchen.”

The desired value of “place in the home” has been

determined to be “between the entrance and private room

area,” because many experts recommend this placement for

more frequent communication [17–20]. Meanwhile, the

desired value of “type of kitchen” has been set at “open or

semi-open.” Recently open- and semi-open-type kitchens are

popular in the Japanese housing market since these types of

kitchens are favorable for good communication, as compared

with closed-type kitchens. The conceptual layout that

includes these considerations, as well as “area(s) for working

and learning,” is demonstrated in Figure 4(a). In addition,

there has been a survey on more than 200 homes where

successful examinees to famous junior high schools have

lived. The results of this survey have revealed that most of

these children have learned in or near living/dining room

areas, while actively communicating with their family

members.
References:

file: Sustainable%20housing.pdf

file:///G:/Files/Revised_IRR_BP220_2008.pdf

file: Revised_IRR_BP220_2008 f

file: NUDHF_2017_2022%20_Abridged_Version.pdf

https://www.local.gov.uk/topics/housing-planning-and-

homelessness/housing-and-planning

https://www.ierek.com/events/urban-planning-and-

architectural-design-for-sustainable-development-

upadsd#overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing