Architects present Dagupan urban renewal plan
AN urban renewal in Dagupan City is deemed timely today but will the owners of business establishments in the city’s central business district support the plan?
Mayor Belen Fernandez expressed confidence that the plan will be supported if the city government provides the incentive and stimulus for the businessmen through tax holidays or incentives for the renovation or remodeling the frontage of their establishments.
An Urban Renewal and Enhancement Plan of the city’s central business district was recently presented by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Pangasinan chapter headed by Joel Santos after Fernandez broached the matter to the chapter.
“I think we can sacrifice not to collect some taxes for a limited period of time. The lost income will surely be earned back once the businessmen benefit from the result of their renovation,” Fernandez said.
Architect Editha Parayno-De Vera, a UAP official, drew up the plan that can be adopted by existing establishments as a guide for the renovation of their buildings.
Fernandez said there is a pressing need for the establishments to renovate or remodel because of the recent elevation of A.B. Fernandez Avenue and other major thoroughfares in the city to address the constant flooding.
De Vera explained that due to the higher elevation of the carriage way within the road right of way on A.B. Fernandez Avenue, business establishments are now vulnerable to flash floods caused by rise of tidal water from adjacent rivers and the occurrence of adverse flooding caused by water from upstream of the river.
The plan calls for not only the upgrading of the floor level of stores but also the raising of their canopies.
OTHER AREAS
The plan covers not only establishments along A.B. Fernandez Avenue but also those located on both sides of Burgos Street and Extension, Perez Boulevard, M.H Del Pilar, Arellano Street and networks of roads within the central business district.
The UAP plan also suggests a two-meter vertical clearance of the sidewalks and the establishments must have standard dimension of horizontal signs, installation of plant boxes, litterbins, traffic signs, Close Circuit TV cameras and bus stops.
The mayor has ordered City Planning and Development Coordinator Romeo Rosario and City Engineer Virginia Rosario to meet with the UAP chapter to finalize the plan.
