March 25, 2010

Looming

I remember Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City when a three-story building was hardly to be seen in its entire length. Now it has several twenty-plus-story residential condominium buildings and the highest ever yet, 35 stories the last time I looked, is under construction. I really hope that the students of the three universities along Katipunan don't end up facing a solid wall of these in the future.

the 38-story Berkeley Residences being constructed along Katipunan Avenue


Just a short note to all Filipinos who get to read this post: Please remember that it is your district councilor, aside from the city mayor, who gives approvals for any changes in land classification and use. It is not just the candidates running for national government positions that you should care about—please study your local candidates carefully too. Vote wisely this May.

25 comments:

Oakland Daily Photo said...

We continuously struggle with building issues in the Bay Area too. Maybe it's an issue in all urban settings. Especially since most of us enjoy open green space within our cities. Thanks for a window on your local politics.

Lowell said...

Unfortunately, it's hard to stop "progress" when there's money to be made by a few!

Along the Atlantic side of Florida, in some places, it's wall-to-wall with high-rise condos! Ugh!

Do you know what's going on with the portal...for the past two days it presents NO pictures at all!

Verna Luga said...

Another pain of development Hilds ... its inevitable ... it goes with the cliche 'whether you like it or not' .... Have a good Day!

Anonymous said...

For sure it will be of interest to compare this enty of yours with the sight in future years - hoping that future architects indeed will have an eye for the joy and hope wide open space can provide.
A wonderful Thursday for you.

Lowell said...

Thanks for the info, Hilda. I thought maybe I was the only one having problems!

Louis la Vache said...

Paris has very few skyscrapers within the city limits of Paris. A law was enacted during Baron Haussmann's rebuilding of Paris during the reign of Napoléon III limiting the height of buildings in Paris to 7 floors. The law was later repealed - but when Parisians saw what skyscrapers did to the (ahem) skyline, the law was re-enacted.

Olivier said...

toujours plus haut, elle est impressionnante...

Anonymous said...

Development is the big bad wolf in Nature.

Lachezar said...

Its massive and quite scary, you don't really want one of those as your neighbor...

Cezar and Léia said...

It's huge, and I think a building so massive as this one really changes the face of the city and maybe the mood of people around it.There is such a beautiful "green"around , I hope they don't destroy the nature there.
Thanks so much for your kind words!
And a blessed Easter for you and your family!
Hugs
Léia

Mirela said...

It's hard to stop urban growth, but it has to and should be well regulated. Unfortunately, we've seen a recent growth of similar buildings here too. This seems like a typical "beehive", and definitely not a place where I'd enjoy living...

ning said...

hilda, do you know that i can see the building from my room? sometimes i feel like a rooster under a flourescent street lamp, does that make sense?

oh but how i love katipunan!

Halcyon said...

I think local politics are the most important. What happens in your community affects you much more than national stuff does.

George said...

High-rise buildings are a 'problem' all over the world. Our favorite beach in South Carolina is now hemmed in by condos. We used to be able to enjoy seeing the sun disappear behind dunes when going down. Now it disappears behind high-rises.

mia said...

Yikes! I have absolutely no idea who our councilor is. Or who's running. I only know our Mayor, and that's cause he's been there for so long. He and his family. They've practically made it an enterprise! There's some fresh blood coming to unseat him though, and I'm excited about that. But yes, I ought to know who our local councilors are!

Lois said...

It's a shame when this happens!

Richard said...

Photoshop, posterize, saturation usw.

alex said...

looks a bit out of place amidst all the green!

no matter where we look in the world, i think the most desirable and charming towns and cities are the ones that approach development intelligently so that they are properly integrated into the existing community. new construction doesn't have to be detrimental, but this (at least) looks like an example of plopping down a high rise in the wrong place.

Irredento Urbanita said...

Using the power of democracy. Good shot.

Regards

Valery

VP said...

I'm ambivalent about this. Everybody would like a beautiful view in a nice villa, but many people (an there are billions in this world) would consider this just fine. Interesting theme anyway.

Unknown said...

How wonderful Katipunan Avenue should have been back in the days you remember, Hilda...

Photo Cache said...

there's no other way to go but up when population demands it right? i just hope the metro would still allocate some free space for the populace to enjoy.

Paulina Millaman said...

everybody should vote wisely everywhere, that should be universal...

Santiago has ( or had ) the same problem, buildings appears from nowhere and cuts the sight of the city... although nowadays these kind of construction are not that populars as they used to be ( obviosly )

Kim, USA said...

Ay sa Katipunan may ganito na rin? Even sa Malate every time ako ay uuwi nag tataasan ang mga building, pero walang space for parking and besides ang sewer saan pupunta? You are right we have to know our local government too.

SWF~ Blue sky

escape said...

i also noticed that, qc has been a venue for high rise lately. looks like it's going to be one great commercial center. im looking forward to seeing the modern cubao.