Community in transition : the emergence of Calamba City as a growth corridor in CALABARZON, Philippines

Date

12-2017

Abstract

Community in transition emerged at a time when rural communities in developing countries were rapidly urbanizing due to several internal and external factors. The drivers of transformation include geographical location, historical events, regional development policies and the spill-over of development from the core economy spreading towards its peripheries and semi-peripheries. This study analyzed the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPS) and existing land uses of a local government unit in the Philippines. This was done to have a better understanding of the changes that took place in its area of jurisdiction for the past 30 years. It also involved the description and analysis of the economic, political, social, and bio- physical landscape of a former town south of Metro Manila. Calamba City was a predominantly agricultural town a few decades ago. Now, it has emerged to become a major industrial area having the most number of economic zones among the cities and municipalities in the Philippines. Furthermore, industrialization has contributed to its rapid population growth. Focus group discussions and social mapping sessions were conducted in five different villages within the city to assess the impact of those changes in the life of the people in their respective communities. Development dilemmas emerged during the data gatherings conducted. Among these dilemmas were the physical transformations of the villages perceived to be indicators of development. On the other hand, these have also become the causes of issues and concerns such as pollution, crimes, and heavy vehicular traffic. The rise in the number of residential subdivisions and industrial zones, because of massive land conversion, also led to the significant loss of agricultural areas. Moreover, industries and services replaced farming as the top economic activity in this area. The lessons learned from the development issues that emerged in this study could become the guiding principle in the creation of a development framework for other transition economies to follow. Keywords: urbanization, transition, growth, development, community, land use, governance

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Community Development

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Josefina T. Dizon

Committee Member

Jaine C. Reyes, Maria Ana T. Quimbo, Virginia R. Cardenas, Josefina T. Dizon

Language

English

LC Subject

Cities and towns -- Growth -- Philippines, Rural development -- Sociological aspects, Community life -- Philippines, Urbanization -- Social aspects, Industrialization -- Social aspects, Community Development Institute for Governance and Rural Development

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 996 2017 C58 M36

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