DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 01 February) – The city government has completed the draft ordinance regulating the height of buildings and structures in Davao City.
The draft ordinance proposes a regular height limit of 60 meters (about 18 stories) and a premium height limit of 90 meters (about 27 stories).
It aims to achieve desired levels of urban densities, respond to transport and traffic concerns with due consideration to the rising demand for water, power, and other utilities.
The measure also seeks to provide precautionary and proactive approach to urban mobility and efficiency and create an ecologically sustainable environment to improve or maintain the quality of life.
It was completed and forwarded to the city council on December 12, 2017 for approval.
The proposed measure sets the premium height limit for structures in the major commercial zones, high-density residential zones, and institutional zones.
However, it will allow a higher regular building limit of 90 meters for structures that will be built within the 500-meter radius from the boundary of railway station or intermodal transit station, and 110 meters (about 33 stories) for structures in zones within identified major commercial zones, high-density residential zones, and institutional zones.
It added the city government may allow construction of a tower building that will serve as the city’s “tallest landmark postcard image” in Maa and Matina (zone 3) Bangkal (zone9), and City Hall Complex to Bucana area (zone 10) with a height higher than the premium height limitation.
But it should not exceed what the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has set as limitations such as 72 to 162 meters (about 21 to 49 stories) for zone 3; 162 meters for zone 9; and 145 meters (about 44 stories) for zone 10.
To be awarded with the privilege of building the tallest landmark in the city, the proposed law provides that the project’s design must be unique and should bear semblance to or representation of the city’s culture and heritage, make at least 50 percent of its ground floor area accessible to the public, and its summit must also be made accessible by the public for viewing purposes either for free or for a fee.
It added the proposed law will guide, control, and regulate future growth and development of the city; provide an orderly pattern of development that is both transit-oriented and transit responsive; conform to flight safety regulations and improve disaster-resilience; preserve view of cultural and heritage sites; promote and improve urban livability index such as better air quality, sufficient access to sunlight, open and green spaces and urban connectivity and mobility efforts; and, provide incentives to the private sector in improving the build environment.
Some of the existing tallest buildings in the city are the 33-story mixed-use condominium Aeon Tower, 37-story Vivaldi Residences, and twin-tower Avida (19-story tower 1 and 23-story tower 2).
(Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)