The City of Kidapawan is a third-class city in the Province of Cotabato with a total land area of 34,007.20 hectares, which represents 3.85% of the total land area of the Province. Based on the 2020 census, the city has a total population of 160,791 and a population density of five (5) people per hectare. The city is composed of 40 barangays — six (6) are categorized as urban barangays, while 34 are classified as rural barangays.

‍

As the main service hub of the Province, Kidapawan leverages its abundant natural resources and strong financial capacity to aim for first-world city status by 2040. The City’s development vision is centered around four (4) key pillars: environmental preservation, fiscal strengthening, creation of quality local employment, and economic growth.

Identifying the 3 Priority Areas

The Urban Development and Area Masterplan is Kidapawan’s strategic blueprint for achieving its vision, which aims to distribute development across all barangays to achieve sustainable growth and progress. This plan is aligned with the national, regional, provincial, and local development plans of the city.

‍

With the rapid urbanization and development in the City, it needs to identify new growth nodes to decongest its primary growth center and to distribute its economic development. The plan will help the city identify new growth areas to achieve spatial balance, decongest the existing traffic congestion in the urban core, identify new development areas, improve its regional connectivity, and increase its economic viability.

‍

Another approach in order to achieve the city’s vision and aspirations is the implementation of the identified three (3) priority areas:

‍

a. Kidapawan Mega Market and Trading Center

Located in Barangay Poblacion, it aims to become the region's primary Commercial and Trading Center, designed for efficiency through its capacity to accommodate high traffic flow, commercial activities, and facilities dedicated to proper waste management. These components ensure the center's dynamism while maintaining an environmentally friendly approach.

‍

The Kidapawan Mega Market and Trading Center is expected to attract farmers, producers, and food processing companies to engage in business activities, thus contributing to revenue generation for the LGU. Some of its development components are:

‍

The dry and wet market
Intermodal transport station
Skywalk connecting the Mega Market to the city plaza
Main trading center
Eco-brick facility
Multi-purpose park

‍

b. Kidapawan Agricultural Tourism Park

Situated in Barangay Kalaisan, this priority area integrates agriculture and tourism, providing visitors with a unique experience on farm practices. It will also support education, research, and other facilities to enhance the value of produce and foster appreciation for local farming to encourage support for local farmers and visitors. Some of the highlighted components are:

‍

City hotel
Eco-trail
Research facilities
Animal processing facility
Aquaculture facility

‍

c. Kidapawan City Integrated Transport Station

This priority area represents a significant investment in fostering a vibrant local economy. By serving as an intermodal transportation hub, it seamlessly connects various modes of transportation, such as buses, jeeps, and bicycles, facilitating easier movement of people and goods within the city, and other major cities such as Davao and Cotabato, among others. This improved accessibility opens new avenues for employment, market access, and educational opportunities.

‍

Moreover, the transport station can potentially catalyze economic activity in its vicinity. The influx of foot traffic creates opportunities for small businesses, such as food vendors, convenience stores, and souvenir shops, which cater to travelers and contribute to the local economy's vitality. Some of the highlights of the development are:

‍