Description of Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood

Type
A Historic Town A neighbourhood type that has been site of human
settlements dating back hundreds of years old. Such
neighbourhood may still be utilized for its old purpose(s) or
may be preserved as historic and tourist site. This type of
neighbourhood is usually characterized by the presence of
“architectural and engineering structures such as, but not
limited to, bridges, government buildings, houses of
ancestry, traditional dwellings, quartels, train stations,
lighthouses, small ports, educational, technological and
industrial complexes, and their settings, and landscapes
with notable historical and cultural significance” (e.g.
Poblacion, Neighbourhoods in Intramuros).
B Industrial Town A neighbourhood type that is geographically defined
through its productive systems, characterized by a number
of firms that are involved at various stages and in various
ways in the creation of a homogenous product. The
industries usually act as an employment hub for the people
and their families residing within its near enclave (e.g.
community beside Kepco-Ilijan Power Corp,
Neighbourhoods near Pandacan Oil Depot).
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
C Houses with A neighbourhood type following a mixture of two or more
Economic land uses, specifically residential and commercial uses,
Activities either comprised within a single building (horizontally or
vertically) or multiple buildings within a distinct
development site. In the Philippines, this type of
neighbourhood usually utilizes the upper floors for
residential use and the ground floor as either office or retail
area. (e.g. Neighbourhoods in Quiapo/Divisoria and
Binondo Areas)

D Gated According to Presidential Decree No. 957, a “subdivision

Communities project” is a tract of land or a parcel of land partitioned
primarily for residential purposes into individual lots with
or without improvements and offered to the public. In the
Philippines, this type of neighbourhood is usually
characterized by strictly controlled entrances and is
surrounded by walls and fences. Land value is more
expensive in this area. Moreover, such community consists
of shared amenities including: sports complex, playground,
spa among others. This type of neighbourhood is mostly
developed and owned by private corporations (e.g.
Greenwoods Subdivision in Batangas and Otis 888
residences in Manila).
E Workplace-related A neighbourhood type that is utilized for the main purpose
Residential of providing sleeping and residential quarters for large
numbers of people, including: students, workers,
professionals, among others. This neighbourhood can be
differentiated from one another based on the types of
peoples that reside within them: hall of residence
(university students); house (members of religious
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
community; fraternity; or sorority); hostel (workers;
travellers); and barracks (military personnel).
F Settlements on an A type of community that is geographically located in
Island smaller and minor islands. This community type faces
specific social, economic, and environmental
vulnerabilities, otherwise unknown to larger islands.
Usually, such community depends on the imported
material resources from the main islands. Moreover,
livelihood and enterprises in the area are often limited to
agriculture (i.e. Isla Verde communities).
G Residential A neighbourhood type that was initiated by or has received
Development significant amount of assistance from a non-governmental
Project supported organization. For instance, a civil society organization
by an NGO such as Gawad Kalinga, or a religious institution like the
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, may support a
particular community by developing and maintaining a low
to medium-rise residential structure with its own recreation
and livelihood facilities. Residents from this type of
neighbourhood usually come from low income families
who might have been relocated from a previous informal
settlement. (e.g. Jaime Cardinal Sin Village and Gawad
Kalinga Paradise Heights in Manila)
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
H Urban Upgrading A type of neighbourhood where a set of physical
Project improvements has been undertaken on blighted
communities. This would include residential areas where
there was beautification of houses, improvement of alleys
and walkways, installation of solid waste management
facilities, and provision of access to water and electricity.
Issues of land tenure in these neighbourhoods have also
been resolved. Typical proponent of an urban upgrading
project is the national or the local government, such as the
National Housing Authority or the City Government of
Manila, in close partnership with the community. (e.g.
Tondo Foreshore Urban Renewal Project and settlements
near Estero de Paco in Manila; slum improvements
undertaken through R.A. No. 7279)
I Government- A neighbourhood development that was initiated either by
managed Housing the national or the city government with the intent of
Area for Civil providing housing for government employees. Residential
Servants developments that are originally intended for such purpose,
but are now being resided by non-government employees
may also be included. (e.g. GSIS Metrohomes, Residencias
de Manila Condominium, and settlements near Cristobal,
Paco in Manila)
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
J Urban Village A type of neighbourhood that is located within, or [directly]
connected by roads to, the urban cores of the city. It can be
characterized by low-intensity, low-density housing where
streets are lined with trees, plants, and other greeneries.
(e.g. Settlements in Gulod Labac, residential areas along in
Paco, Manila)

K University Town A neighbourhood located close to a network of colleges,

universities, professional business schools, vocational
schools, technical schools and other institutions of higher
learning. This would include housing facilities within a
university cluster land use zone that cater specifically to
students, researchers, faculty members, and employees of a
learning institution within the area. (e.g. settlements close
to along España Avenue, Manila’s University Cluster Zone)
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
L Slums and An informal settlement neighbourhood characterized by a
Blighted Informal lack of structural durability of dwellings, inadequate access
Settlements to potable water supply, overcrowding of households,
persistent flooding, and the absence of household
sanitation facilities. This neighbourhood may be situated
close to or within a private property (not owned by the
occupant), danger areas, idle government properties,
protected areas delineated by government policy, or other
public facilities not intended for human habitation. (e.g.
Happyland and BASECO Compound in Manila)

M In-city Relocation A neighbourhood type that has been specifically designated

Sites by the national or local government as a relocation site
within the city. This maybe of various housing typology
depending on the local shelter plan of the city or the
resettlement program of the National Housing Authority.
(e.g. Smokey Mountain Resettlement Area)
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
N Informal A neighbourhood with houses that are situated on lots
Settlements with without the owner’s consent, but are characterized as
Fixed Structures structurally durable, with dependable access to potable
water and sanitation facilities. This neighbourhood may be
situated close to or within a private property (not owned by
the occupant), danger areas, idle government properties,
and protected areas delineated by government policy,
among others.

O High-rise A neighbourhood type characterized by high-intensity and

Condominium mixed-use residential areas that span at least twelve (12)
Community storeys and with strictly controlled entrances and perimeter
fencing. These residential developments would have
shared amenities and would be along major thoroughfares
or transportation infrastructure. This type of neighbourhood
is mostly developed and owned by private corporations
(e.g. Celadon Residences in Manila).
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
P Settlements along A community type that is located within the near proximity
a River of a river. Communities of this type are considered by the
law as illegal settlers based on the Presidential Decree
(P.D.) No. 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines that
states (Article 51): “The banks of rivers and streams and the
shores of the seas and lakes throughout their entire length
and within a zone of three (3) meters in urban areas, twenty
(20) meters in agricultural areas and forty (40) meters in
forest areas, along their margins are subject to the easement
of public use in the interest of recreation, navigation,
floatage, fishing and salvage. No person shall be allowed to
stay in this zone longer than what is necessary for
recreation, navigation, floatage, fishing or salvage or to
build structures of any kind." Such communities are prone
to health and environmental vulnerabilities caused mainly
by its proximity with a river. Moreover, settlers of this
community usually utilize the river as their waste disposal
system contributing to the pollution of the river.
Q Local Neighbourhoods that are outside of the official territorial
neighbourhoods boundaries of the city but are administratively part of it.
outside of city These are usually land that are purchased and set aside by
boundaries the city government for a specific public purpose. Residents
of these neighbourhoods are registered voters of the city
and they rely on the distant city government for public
services. (e.g. Manila Boys’ Town Complex in Marikina)
 Neighbourhood Description Sample Neighbourhood
Type
R Mixed-use living Areas that are not intended for habitation but have become
quarters living quarters for families that are associated with the area.
These maybe parks, open spaces, commercial areas, or
nooks that do not have recognizable structures of
settlements but have hosted families through the years. (e.g.
“Cemetery Slums” in Manila North and South Cemeteries
and rooms for rent inside old cinemas in Manila)

S Others