The DBP Building as a Landmark of the International Style At the corner of Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and Makati Avenue stands a landmark of the Makati Central Business District. It is one of the last still standing that were built in the first wave of construction in district fifty years ago. The Development Bank […]
PALAFOX Launches “Philippines 2050” Campaign on 35th Anniversary
As part of their 35th-anniversary celebration and ongoing commitment to sustainable, resilient, and inclusive community and city development, PALAFOX has announced the launch of the “Philippines 2050: A First-World Country, A First-World Economy” campaign. This ambitious initiative aims to mobilize the government, private sector, environmental advocates, civil society, and the Filipino populace to collectively position the Philippines as a competitive nation with a robust economy. The campaign sets forth a transformative vision for the nation’s future, inspiring a collective effort to protect and sustain communities as the country journeys toward and beyond 2050.
For nearly 35 years, PALAFOX has been at the forefront of sustainable architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, planning, design, and development, significantly enhancing the quality of life in communities across the Philippines. The multidisciplinary consultancy has partnered with over 200 towns, cities, and provinces to craft comprehensive development plans, master plans for new and established cities, and designs for public spaces, schools, places of worship, residences, and offices.
Founder and Principal Architect and Urban Planner Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr. is also marking significant personal milestones this year, with 52 years as an architect and 50 years as an urban planner. As PALAFOX celebrates its 35th anniversary, it looks to the future with the “Philippines 2050” campaign, inspired by HSBC and Goldman Sachs’ projection that the Philippines will be the world’s 16th largest economy by 2050. The campaign leverages the country’s rich natural and human resources, aiming to make the Philippines a first-world nation by 2050.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that as of 2020, 54% of the country’s 109.03 million population resided in urban areas. The World Bank projects that by 2050, over 100 million Filipinos will live in cities. To accommodate this rapid urbanization, the country needs 100 new sustainable, smart, resilient, and livable cities by 2050. Without this development, existing cities risk facing greater challenges than those currently seen in Metro Manila.
Achieving first-world status by 2050 requires tackling several challenges:
- Implementing good governance, transparency, and effective measures to ensure peace and order.
- Addressing climate change by protecting and enhancing the environment, reducing carbon footprints, mitigating sea level rise, and transforming communities for sustainability and disaster resilience.
- Combating inequality through fair wealth distribution and enhancing infrastructure with seamless connectivity and disaster-proof designs.
The “Philippines 2050” campaign outlines key milestones:
- Achieving most of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
- Joining the list of first-world countries by 2040.
- Ranking among the world’s top 20 economies by 2050.
The campaign emphasizes professional excellence in architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, urban planning, environmental management, interior and urban design, and responsible property development to promote inclusivity and create healthier communities across the Philippines.
Since its inception in 1989, PALAFOX has completed projects in over 40 countries, planning more than 54 billion square meters of land and designing over 20 million square meters of floor space. The firm remains a steadfast partner in nation-building, working with local government units, national agencies, and various stakeholders to develop sustainable and resilient communities and cities.
The “Philippines 2050” campaign reaffirms PALAFOX’s dedication to a sustainable future for all Filipinos, urging current and future leaders, developers, architects, planners, engineers, and designers to collaborate on creating sustainable and resilient communities for the coming decades.
About PALAFOX
Since 1989, PALAFOX has been a global leader in architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary, urban planning, design, engineering, and development advisory. The firm is renowned for its commitment to sustainable development, people-oriented design, and economic growth. PALAFOX’s multidisciplinary team includes experts in architecture, urban planning, environmental planning, engineering, interior design, economics, real estate, business management, communications management, policy, transportation planning, tourism, urban analytics, and climate change resilience and sustainability.
PALAFOX is a recognized member of numerous international and Philippine organizations, including the American Planning Association (APA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), Urban Land Institute (ULI), US Green BuildingGreen BuildingA building designed, constructed, and operated to reduce its environmental impact across its entire life cycle. It prioritizes energy and water efficiency, healthy indoor air, and responsible materials, and inGo to Green Building Glossary Council (USGBC), Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners, and United Architects of the Philippines.
With a strong commitment to fostering national growth, PALAFOX operates headquarters in Cebu City and Davao City, offering localized expertise while maintaining global standards of excellence. Since March 2020, the firm has successfully transitioned to a remote work model, ensuring continuity and efficiency through well-connected, work-from-home satellite offices across the country.
READ MORE: The Time Of Human-Centric Architecture Is Now
“Buildings only become architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to createGo to Architecture Glossary when they are shared,” said William Ti Jr., founder of the Anthology Festival and WTA Architecture and Design Studio, […]
A Filipino Interpretation of Modernist Architecture Unlike the rest of Makati today, the northern end of Paseo de Roxas in Makati is anchored by a low complex rather than a tall skyscraper. This is the elegant Asian Institute of Management, designed by architect Gabriel Formoso and completed in 1971. In my opinion, the building is […]
“Thailand has claimed urban creativity and livability. Singapore has institutional design leadership. Indonesia is emerging as a design hub. Vietnam is moving into design innovation. And the Philippines? Its position is not weak. It is simply unclaimed.” For IDr. Cecil Ravelas, National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), the challenge is not […]
The Ramon Magsaysay Center as a Modernist Landmark Driving down Roxas boulevard from Rizal Park, what will catch your eye is the most elegant modernist structure in the country, the Ramon Magsaysay Center. Most established Filipino architects put it in their top ten lists of favorite buildings. It was designed by Alfredo J. Luz, who […]
Rinna Soriano’s favorite part of her work is sanding. At her workbench, she stays focused, following the grain, adjusting to changes in its direction. NarraNarraThe national tree of the Philippines, Pterocarpus indicus, prized for its durable, reddish-gold hardwood and handsome grain. Traditionally used for furniture, flooring, and carved panels, narra is now protected fromGo to […]
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