By PJ V. dela Peña, USTP System STRATCOMM
Leading climate change expert Dr. Jay Gonzalez III promotes the Sponge City Design for Cagayan de Oro and other cities that are plagued with urban flooding. Dr. Gonzalez said without mitigation, the increasing rainfall volume and flood issues will affect planting and harvesting including sewage problems making the cities susceptible to high danger.
Dr. Gonzalez is Mayor George Christopher Professor of Public Administration at the Ageno School of Business of Golden Gate University (GGU) in San Francisco, California. He chairs the Department of Public Administration and is the founder of their Urban Innovations Program. As a practitioner, Dr. Gonzalez has worked as Governance, Urban Development, and Solid Waste Management Specialist for the Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity Project (Philippines) and the Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise Program (Tanzania).
Dr. Jay takes a look at the water absorption capacity of Cagayan de Oro and San Francisco
The Sponge City Design is a principle based on a sponge that has the capability to absorb and store water. It absorbs water during heavy rain and can be used during times of drought or whenever needed.
Recycled water used for cleaning and watering the plants in San Francisco
Dr. Gonzalez suggested a list of policy interventions that Cagayan de Oro and other cities may adopt just like the ones in San Francisco, California where he is based.
These are:
- No reclamation, building height, and density restrictions
- Water conservation policy
- Recycled water ordinance
- Big Sponge: Golden Gate Park
- Small sponge: Neighborhood forests and gardens
- POPOS-Privately Owned Public Open Spaces
- Low-impact stormwater design
- LEED (Green Standards)
- Landscaping standards
- Wasteful water use policies
The challenges of extreme weather have led San Francisco City to innovate and develop the concept of stormwater as a resource and not a waste product. Using permeable surfaces in their design to improve water absorption, vegetated roofs, and green walls to slow runoff and reduce flooding.
Dr. Gonzalez also encouraged the Town-Gown Partnership where the community and the academe will help solve community issues together.
The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines recently launched the Master in Public Sector Innovations (MPSI), an Urban Development Program (UDLP) supported by the United States Agency for International Development-Strength Urban Resiliency for Growth and Equity (USAID-SURGE), where capstone concept proposals of the students bring an immense potential for public sector innovation in the city and the region.
“USTP’s UDLP IGIS-MPSI will help in the practice of inclusive, resilient, and competitive urban development,” Dr. Gonzalez emphasized.
The Master in Public Sector Innovations (MPSI) is the latest course offering of USTP CDO
Dr. Gonzalez hosted the virtual public e-lecture last June 9 via Zoom and talked about the City of San Francisco’s Sponge Design for Climate Change and Disaster Resilience: Lessons for Cagayan de Oro and other Philippine Cities. The e-lecture was the highlight of the launching of the MPSI program.
Click the link to view the virtual lecture: https://tinyurl.com/spongecitydesign
