Legazpi City: A City of Opportunities and Challenges

Legazpi City is recognized as the Gateway to the Bicol Region and was awarded the No. 1 competitive city in the Philippines by the National Competitiveness Council in 2018. This City holds immense potential for growth and development, with numerous competitive advantages setting the stage for a thriving future. These advantages include:

• Access to land, air, and sea transportation. The City has an international airport with daily flights, direct access to the Philippine National Highway, and connections to the Legazpi Base Seaport, which is the site of the Philippine Ports Authority’s regional operations. 
• Legazpi, the largest city in the Bicol Region by population, serves as the regional hub for tourism, education, health services, commerce, and transportation.
• The City is blessed with the Albay Gulf, boasting approximately 37 kilometers of waterfront that holds immense potential for development.
• Legazpi is rich with natural flora and fauna and features a unique geological landscape. This positions the City to be one of the top destinations in the country for active and adventure sports and ecotourism.

Economic Growth and Development

Legazpi's economic progress is driven by various factors, including its expanding population, diverse industries, and investment in infrastructure. The City's 37 kilometers of waterfront along the Albay Gulf present significant opportunities for development and economic diversification.

Unique Natural and Cultural Assets

The City is endowed with rich natural resources, including diverse flora and fauna, unique geological landscapes, and stunning waterfront views. These assets position Legazpi as a prime destination for ecotourism and adventure sports, attracting visitors and stimulating economic activity.

Environmental and Disaster Risk Challenges

Despite its promising future, Legazpi City faces significant challenges such as its proximity to Mayon Volcano, which affects 86 barangays, three surrounding cities, and five municipalities in the Province of Albay, and hydro-meteorologic hazards such as typhoons, flooding, and storm surges.

Additionally, the city grapples with traffic congestion and the threat of biodiversity loss due to natural disasters and human exploitation.

PALAFOX's Urban Planning Consultancy: Key Recommendations

In 2017, PALAFOX was engaged by the City Government of Legazpi to provide planning advisory services to identify areas for enhancement and improvement of their development plans. Our Strategic Development Advisory services led to a series of recommendations aimed to address the City’s core challenges and continuously propel Legazpi City’s development momentum and socio-economic growth while being a truly livable city.  

Land Use and Environmental Management

To ensure the efficient use of land resources and protect Legazpi's natural environment, PALAFOX recommended the establishment of Key Biodiversity Area Overlay Zones. This initiative identifies areas within the city that are determined, based on DENR definition, to be “globally significant sites for biodiversity conservation.” This will ensure ecosystem productivity, ecological security, and the prevention of extinction of the City’s endemic species of flora and fauna.

Additionally, enforcing setbacks and easements along waterfronts will protect coastal resources from natural hazards and unsustainable development.

Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation

Given Legazpi's vulnerability to natural disasters, PALAFOX emphasized the importance of strengthening the city's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Recommendations included enhancing community-based disaster risk reduction through LGU/community preparedness from the barangay down to the household level. PALAFOX also suggested enhancing Legazpi's existing parks and green spaces, as well as creating new ones, to not only provide recreational areas but also serve as safe havens for residents during natural disasters.

Tourism Development and Waterfront Revitalization

PALAFOX recognized the potential of Legazpi's tourism assets and recommended the creation of tourism circuits with corresponding marketing and promotional efforts. By capitalizing on its existing natural and cultural attractions, the city can attract more visitors, generate employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth.

On the other hand, the rehabilitation and revitalization of waterfronts will further enhance the City's appeal and contribute to its overall development.

Sustainable Agriculture and Transportation

To support Legazpi's thriving agricultural industry, PALAFOX proposed adopting climate-smart agriculture practices, maximizing new agricultural technologies, exploring high-yielding crop varieties, and providing agricultural crop insurance. These measures aim to ensure food security, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance the resilience of the sector in the face of climate change.

Additionally, PALAFOX recommended the development of a comprehensive Transportation and Mobility Management Plan to address traffic congestion and improve the overall transportation infrastructure in the city.

Legazpi City: A Model for Sustainable Urban Development

Guided by PALAFOX’s recommendations, the planning initiatives of the City Government of Legazpi have the potential to transform the City into a model for sustainable urban development in the Philippines. By addressing its unique challenges and leveraging its strengths, Legazpi can pave the way for other cities to create resilient, livable, and prosperous communities.

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