Thesis Title: Oplan Yakal + Emergency Facility Prototype featuring an Integrated Bunker Approach for Safe Refuge
Thesis Proponent: Josephine Aubrey Y. King
Design Adviser: Ar. Vannesa Grace Cabiedes and Ar. Anne Loraine Mutia
School: Far Eastern University - Manila
Year of Defense: 2024
Abstract
The Philippines is highly susceptible to disasters. Despite the prevalence of this issue, the community remains unprepared to handle such situations. "The Big One" or the 7.2 magnitude earthquake refers to a potential major disaster that could occur in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila and its nearby regions generated by the WVF. This could negatively affect the Filipino population and its economy. As a response of the government the "Oplan Metro Yakal" or the Contingency plan for “The Big One” was developed. Although despite the plan, no facilities have yet been developed. Hence, the study proposes the project for the proactive approach of the government to disasters that could also potentially be replicated nationwide.
The study "Oplan Yakal+ Emergency facility Prototype" provides an in-depth overview that offers a solution to the pressing issue of natural disasters that the country is currently facing and may face in the future. The study has also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the project would be utilized before, during and after disasters or emergencies. The design solutions incorporated in the translation came from the data collected through interviews, community surveys, government records, archival reviews, and construction standards.
While it is impossible to completely prevent disasters, its effects can be mitigated by implementing effective planning and allocating funding for emergency facilities. The development of emergency facilities must be one of the priorities to ensure the safety of the Filipinos.
Statement of the Problem
The Philippines ranks among the most susceptible nations in terms of disasters (WRI, 2022). Significant risk, exposure, and vulnerability are indicated by the index score of 46.82 (Dela Pena, 2023). This WRI rank 1 has been consistent for the past 5 years. In connection to this, the DOST-PHIVOLCS (2019) stated that active faults without prior surface-rupturing events have a higher potential to trigger “The Big One,” a big earthquake that can severely impact the Philippines. Unpreparedness for recognized or unexpected hazards increases susceptibility, response efforts, and disaster risk in the Philippines.
Filipinos remain at risk due to rising risks of natural disasters and health problems. (Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022). After years of experience, the Philippine government has been building strong ways to deal with disasters. Although the public's understanding of the Philippines' resilience and catastrophe preparedness is still limited (Alcayna, 2018). The Oplan Metro Yakal Plus is an advantageous start, but the Philippines must also consider different strategies for its developments with response to disasters.
Main Problem:
The physical infrastructure necessary to carry out Oplan Yakal's emergency response facility has not yet been developed, even though a plan of action for it has already been created. How can the development of Oplan Yakal's emergency facility prototype resolves the sense of urgency associated with preparation for impending disasters?
Research Questions:
User Safety and Comfort
How can the development effectively withstand various emergencies such as "The Big One" or different natural disasters while ensuring user safety and comfort through integrating materials, system innovation, and approaches?
Development Continuity
What sustainable features and spaces are necessary for the development to adequately address the continual Physical and Psychological needs of its occupants, given the uncertainty regarding the duration of their stay?
Emergency Preparedness
How can the development improve the emergency preparedness of the community through designing spaces that simulate disaster scenarios?
Emergency Response
What are the necessary innovations needed for an emergency operations and command center to guarantee the continuous operations considering the different periods of crisis?
Architectural Goal:
The main goal of the proposed facility prototype is to serve as a permanent response facility for various disasters, fulfill the supply requirements of other disasters, and provide shelter for the affected population in its designated area. The objective is to optimize project utilization before, during, and following emergencies and to strengthen the current Oplan Yakal by implementing it. This would create a prototype that can be utilized by many regions in the Philippines to better prepare the country in terms of response and recovery. In connection, the researcher has provided Objectives and strategies to address the Research questions.
User Safety and Comfort
Objective: To develop an innovation that would assure safety and inclusivity of inter-generational users during different crises and could be incorporated into various critical structures which would improve preparedness in case of emergencies.
Strategy: Develop an innovation for the accessibility of intergenerational users. Utilize materials and systems adapted to high impact situations capable of withstanding the forces of seismic activity.
Development Continuity
Objective: Design a facility that could sustain itself in terms of energy, food produce and water through innovations and spaces. Provide a diverse array of spatial arrangements that will effectively cater to the psychological necessities of the users.
Strategy: Integrate solar energy, waste to energy, rainwater harvesting into the emergency structure for necessities of running the facility with or without presence of public services. A vertical garden and production area would also be incorporated to sustain possible evacuees and evacuees in nearby areas.
Emergency Preparedness
Objective: Developing simulated training facilities to enhance the community's preparedness for various emergencies.
Strategy: Integrate modern solutions to training spaces through VR and experience rooms which would replicate disasters and acquainted programs.Establish facilities where the community can conduct their training programs to be prepared for emergencies.
Emergency Response
Objective: Develop a flexible command center that remains responsive to emerging trends to ensure its continuous functionality and operation in emergency situations. Ensure that the facility does not experience underutilization during periods devoid of major occurrences such as The Big One or other natural disasters.
Strategy: Integrate advanced systems in the command-and-control center to ensure emergency response continuity.
Design Concept
The concept that shaped the entire translation of the project is the Yakal tree. The idea of adapting the Yakal tree as a concept is due to its high value and its significance of “hope” as it is endangered timber that lasts generations. Yakal helps maintain ecosystems through providing their needs. Similarly, the facility could serve all user needs from the bottom to the top as a tree of life. The facility additionally has the same structure as a tree, with a root, a trunk, and a crown. all of which have the same purpose.
Research focus
The focus of the facility is Enhancing Sustainability & Experience of Users through the Integration of Rainwater Collection, Lighting & Ventilation System. It has integrated shafts in every building that addresses comfort and sustainability as it aims to act as a ventilation system for both the above ground and below ground floors of the facility through the passive or stack ventilation. The facility has also adapted the construction techniques used in a termite mounds through arrangement of tunnels and chambers for proper airflow to ensure continual flow of air which guarantees a stable temperature, allowing its catering to flourish. All shafts are designed accordingly as per the PH solar angle which is a 60º to maximize the entry of sunlight and ventilation. The incorporation of a spiral shape in the vertical shafts will enhance the release of hot air by exploiting the principle of a tornado. The spiral configuration would facilitate the collection of rainfall, since it would create a natural flow towards the rainwater storage situated on the first level below ground. This position would be optimal because it can cater to both the above-ground and below-ground levels as necessary.
Conclusion
Disasters are inevitable occurrences that result in serious consequences, necessitating the government and community to be sufficiently prepared. Considering the current state of climate change, the effects of disasters are likely to increase in the years to come. The occurrence of "The Big One" may not be the only disaster that the country could encounter. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the development of an emergency facility that can effectively prepare, shelter, and assist the people during such disasters. The facility aims not only to serve as a shelter and training but also to contribute bigger in the disaster impacted areas as well. This is through the provision of hydroponics garden and food production that could serve as source of food for evacuees.
In summary, Oplan Yakal+ serves as a contribution to the existing plan and an eye opener of innovative design solutions in addressing disasters. Consequently, in order to establish an efficient facility, it is essential that it serves a practical purpose and benefits the community either before, during, and after disasters. This should involve assessing the challenges faced by current facilities and adhering to established design guidelines. Oplan Yakal+ represents a facility that embodies functionality, sustainability, and continuous advancement.
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