SEAMEOSPAFA's video: A river always runs through it: Waterways as conduits for movement

This SPAFA SESH was broadcast on Facebook Live on SPAFA's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/seameo.spafa/) and on Zoom on 12 October 2022 at 2 p.m. (Bangkok time). Synopsis: Cities and civilizations have always been centered around bodies of water; thus great cities were always built around and along these waterways. Riverside, seaside and beach front properties and communities remain to be valuable land parcels in most major cities. But as the saying goes, there are always exceptions to the rule. Mr Leandro Poco will speak on urban heritage through the concept of historical urbanism. Using the city of Manila as an example, he will discuss how present-day Manila’s sprawling urban communities have largely strayed away from waterside communities that the city was built upon. He will also touch on the planned infrastructure developments along the historic Pasig River and its implications for the city’s historical roots and consequent future directions and developments. Guest Speaker: Mr Leandro Poco, Architect and Environmental Planner, completed his MSc Space Syntax: Architecture and Cities degree at University College London’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. He previously completed his MA in Urban Design at the National University of Singapore in 2008. He is a Philippine registered Architect and Environmental Planner with over 17 years of combined Planning and Architectural practice experience in both Manila and Singapore. He is a Partner with Leonardo A. Poco & Associates, Architects, and has a keen interest in Metro Manila’s historical urbanism. He believes that evidence-based planning and design are key in improving Metro Manila’s dystopia and addressing her residents’ discontents. Moderator: Ms Michelle Laurice Aguas, SEAMEO SPAFA Programme Officer