New Clark City

New Clark City
Planned community
Official logo of New Clark City
Coordinates: 15°20′40″N 120°31′48″E / 15.34444°N 120.53000°E / 15.34444; 120.53000
Country Philippines
RegionCentral Luzon
ProvinceTarlac
MunicipalityCapas
Bamban
Economic zoneClark Special Economic Zone
Managing entityBases Conversion and Development Authority
Area
 • Total94.50 km2 (36.49 sq mi)
Highest elevation
800 m (2,600 ft)
Lowest elevation
54 m (177 ft)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
Websitewww.newclark.ph

New Clark City is a planned community currently undergoing development, located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in the towns of Bamban and Capas in Tarlac province, Philippines.[1] It has an area of approximately 9,450 hectares (23,400 acres) and will accommodate up to 1.2 million people. It is owned and managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).[2]

History

Conceptualization

New Clark City, initially known as Clark Green City was first planned, designed and founded by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) under the administration of then-BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova in 2012. The then-proposal was met with skepticism from some high-ranking government officials due to the development's proposed location being remote. Casanova envisioned a new metropolis north of Metro Manila to be the first green and smart metropolis of the country. Mr. Casanova was moved to build the new city as a response to the challenges of climate change which placed Metro Manila and many Philippine coastal cities at risk. This was witnessed in the massive floods in Metro Manila during Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 and the destruction of Tacloban City during Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The imminent threats of climate change made the movement of new communities to higher and safer ground. This will be a development with numerous parks and wide and tree-shaded pedestrian lanes with the application of innovative technologies to run the city. It was also a response to the hellish gridlock that Metro Manila has been experiencing and the imperative of making mobility better and dignified for citizens. He also envisioned the development to be free of gated communities to discourage heavy traffic.[3]

The BCDA held a design competition for the master conceptual development plan for Clark Green City with AECOM coming up with the winning design in 2015. Members of the screening committee included notable local and international urban planners and designers such as: Andrea Dorotan and Paul Letana of Bases Conversion Development Authority; Jezreel Apelar of Urban Land Institute; Julia Nebrija of World Bank; Grace Ramos of the University of the Philippines; Stephen Gray of Harvard University, Fadi Masoud of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and, Mary Anne Ocampo of international design firm Sasaki.[4]

The city was officially founded on April 11, 2016 with the late President Aquino and Mr. Casanova breaking ground and leading the ceremonies and attended by international and local dignitaries and business leaders.[5]

During Casanova's term, overall masterplan development plan was completed by BCDA. In laying the foundation for the city, he led the influx of businesses, educational and government institutions and global linkages with credible partners in development. BCDA signed a 50-year contract with Filinvest to develop the 288 hectares (710 acres) of land allocated for the project. BCDA also managed to forge partnership with foreign firms to develop Clark Green City such as Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. which plans to connect Clark Green City to Manila as well as surrounding cities by rail, and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute which will assist the BCDA to come up with "smart and disaster-resilient" features for the planned community. An agreement was also signed between Paris-based Vivapolis.[6][7]

To build the human capital of the new city, Casanova caused the donation by BCDA of 70 hectares of land for the new University of the Philippines campus, a 40 hectare property for the Technological University of the Philippines and the 20 hectares for the Philippine Science High School. He also sent to Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, 100 scholars including mayors and town planners of the towns surrounding the new city as well as BCDA core team for training on green city planning and governance under the auspices of the Temasek Foundation.[8] He also initiated talks with the Rungis Market of France for an Asian food logistics hub in Clark Green City to ensure food security in the country and to connect Philippine farmers to the global market. He also led the investment of BCDA for the Luzon Bypass Line with the Department of Communications and Information Technology (then ICTO) and Facebook in exchange for 2tpbs bandwidth to provide fast and free internet access to all government offices, schools and parks and to spark the movement of technopreneurs in the country.

To strengthen further the government support, Mr. Casanova sought the official support of the Philippine Congress. In March 2015, the Philippine Congress approved House Resolution 116 in support of Clark Green City.[9]

After Casanova's tenure in BCDA ended, he joined AECOM as the firm's representative in the Philippines.[3]

Development

Groundbreaking ceremony.

The groundbreaking rites for New Clark City, led by then-President Benigno Aquino III was made on April 11, 2016.[10] The development became one of the flagship projects of President Rodrigo Duterte, the succeeding President.[11] Under the leadership of BCDA President Vince Dizon, the New Clark City entered development. In March 2018, the development of Phase 1-A of the National Government Administrative Center which consists of the New Clark City Sports Hub began and would serve as one of the venues to the country's hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. The sports facilities were completed in record time for the games.[12][13]

In July 2020, the BCDA and the Department of Agriculture unveiled plans to put up an Agro-Industrial Hub in New Clark City aimed to support farming communities, and strengthen food security in Luzon.[14]

The BCDA in September 2020 signed a memorandum of understanding with the British Embassy Manila for the design of NCC Central Park, as well as an affordable housing project in the new metropolis. A symbolic marker was unveiled in July 2021 at New Clark City by BCDA and the British Embassy Manila to ceremonially lay the foundation of the central park.[15]

After the Completion of NCC, BCDA will Manage it, and it will administered in Angeles City as part of Clark Special Economic Zone.

Initially named "Clark Green City," the planned city was renamed to the present "New Clark City" during the Duterte administration.

Geography

New Clark City spans an area of 9,450 hectares (23,400 acres) and is located within the former U.S. military base of Camp O'Donnell.[16] The development is located in the municipalities of Capas and Bamban, Tarlac province[1] although it is administered from Angeles City as part of the Clark Special Economic Zone.[17]

Natural hazards

The development is not a flood-prone area with its minimum elevation being at 54 metres (177 ft) above sea level[18] and its planned central park also serves as a flood catchment basin. The Sierra Madre mountain range is located on the development's east while the Zambales mountain range is located on the west, with both geographical features providing New Clark City a natural protection from typhoons.[10] The maximum elevation of New Clark City is at around 800 metres (2,600 ft).[18]

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has assessed the area to be relatively less prone to earthquakes.[18]

Parks

Capas National Shrine at the entrance to New Clark City

The Capas National Shrine, a memorial for Allied soldiers who perished at the Bataan Death March during World War II, is located at the entrance of the development. The site was a former concentration camp during the war.[19][20] The New Clark City Central Park, a 44.8-hectare urban park, is planned to be located in the heart of the metropolis.[15]

Aside from the two major parks, BCDA plans to allocate portions of NCC for green spaces. Out of 9,450 hectares of the city, only 3,500 hectares will be developed, leaving the rest for green and open spaces, making it a green city.[3]

Districts

New Clark City is divided into various districts depending on primary function.[16] As of 2022, there are three areas in the city with sizable on-going development.

National Government Administrative Center

The National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), a 200-hectare (490-acre) mixed-used development, hosts facilities and offices for the Philippine government. Located inside NGAC is the Integrated Operations and Disaster Recovery Center, intended to be backup operations center for the national government in case the capital Manila is incapacitated by disasters, and includes a satellite office of the Office of the President of the Philippines.[21][22]

Sports Hub

The New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

The New Clark City Sports Hub, located within the NGAC, contains an athletes' village for accommodation, an aquatics center, and the 20,000-seater New Clark City Athletics Stadium. It will also house the Olympic Museum by the Philippine Olympic Committee.[23]

New Clark City was one of the host cities of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, which took place all over Luzon. The closing ceremony was held in the Athletics Stadium.[24] These facilities were also to be used as the venues for the aquatics and athletics events in the 2020 ASEAN Para Games,[25] before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2019, BCDA, the Asian Swimming Federation, Philippine Swimming and Philippine Sports Commission signed a partnership agreement for the country's hosting of the 2020 Asian Swimming Championships which will be held in New Clark City.[26][27]

In June 2021, in a lead up to the 2021 PFL Season, United City F.C. announced that it has adopted New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac as its home locality. It also has entered a partnership with the local government of Pampanga.

Filinvest New Clark City

Filinvest New Clark City is a mixed-use and industrial district being developed under a joint venture agreement between BCDA and Filinvest Land. Covering a 288-hectare portion of NCC, the district will include the Innovation Park, a business hub which will host warehouse and factory facilities for logistics, e-commerce, light manufacturing, and data center operations of local and international businesses.[28]

Hann Reserve

450-hectare will be developed into a luxury mountain resort by Hann Development Corporation in collaboration with Accor, Marriott International, and the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA). The resort will feature three 18-hole championship golf courses and PGA-affiliated player development facilities, hotels by Banyan Tree, Angsana, Sofitel, Emblems, The Luxury Collection, and The Westin, as well as a mixed-use commercial center, and a 10-hectare public park. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 5, 2022.[29]

Education and research

The following institutions and agencies have either moved their operations, completely or partially, or have recently been established and constructed their first offices and facilities in New Clark City.

Basic and higher education institutions

Health and research

Government

Transportation

New Clark City is connected to other areas in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone through the Clark Loop, a bus rapid transit (BRT) system serving NCC, Clark International Airport, and other developments in the economic zone.[40] It was opened in time for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.[41]

New Clark City station, a planned railway station in the area, will be served by the Philippine National Railways' North–South Commuter Railway, connecting NCC to Metro Manila.

New Clark City will also be served by the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway and Central Luzon Link Expressway specifically through the 6.98 km (4.34 mi) six-lane New Clark City-Mac Arthur Access Road which will connect the NCC to MacArthur Highway.[42]

In 2023, the BCDA The signed a memorandum of agreement with Japan-based Zenmov, Inc. and Philippine-based MC Metro Transport Operation, Inc. for a demonstration of an energy-efficient and smart public transportation system that will run within New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac and the rest of Clark Special Economic Zone.[43] [44]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Datu, Carlo Lorenzo (January 23, 2018). "Construction of National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City begins". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved December 30, 2019. New Clark City, BCDA's most ambitious project to date, is a new metropolis that will rise within the Clark Special Economic Zone, in Bamban and Capas, Tarlac.
  2. ^ "New Clark City | Bases Conversion and Development Authority".
  3. ^ a b c Canivel, Roy Stephen C. (October 16, 2019). "'Crazy' New Clark City dream moves closer to reality". business.inquirer.net.
  4. ^ "Judging of Entries for the CGC Conceptual Master Development Plan has Begun!". January 22, 2015.
  5. ^ "President Aquino speaks at the groundbreaking of the Clark Green City | GOVPH".
  6. ^ Cervantes, Ding (January 21, 2016). "Clark Green City insulated from politics, says BCDA". The Philippine Sta. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  7. ^ "Signing of the MOU between BCDA and Vivapolis | RTVM".
  8. ^ "BCDA beefs up expertise in Clark Green City development | Bases Conversion and Development Authority".
  9. ^ "Clark Green City Approved by Congress". Clark Green City. Bases Conversion and Development Authority. March 21, 2015. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Kabiling, Genalyn (April 11, 2016). "P607-billion Clark Green City to rise soon, expected to be bigger than BGC". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  11. ^ "New Clark City short on US participation — DoF". BusinessWorld. September 13, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. ^ Go, Beatrice (November 19, 2019). "2019 SEA Games: World-class New Clark City stadium built in 'record time'". Rappler.
  13. ^ "Athletes witness construction of world-class facilities for 2019 SEA Games | Bases Conversion and Development Authority". bcda.gov.ph. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018.
  14. ^ "BCDA, Agri dept to put up agro-industrial hub at New Clark City | Bases Conversion and Development Authority". bcda.gov.ph. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020.
  15. ^ a b "One of largest public parks in PHL to rise in New Clark City". BCDA. July 23, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Clark Green City". Invest Philippines. Philippine Government. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  17. ^ "Green City is in Tarlac, not Pampanga, UP prof says". The Daily Tribune. June 4, 2014. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Remo, Amy (February 17, 2018). "Rise of the new city". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  19. ^ "Capas National Shrine – Official Website of Municipality of Capas, Province of Tarlac". www.capastarlac.gov.ph. January 6, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  20. ^ "Military Shrines Service". Philippine Veterans Affairs Office. November 5, 2004. Archived from the original on November 5, 2004. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  21. ^ Dancel, Raul (January 23, 2018). "Manila builds S$3b administrative centre as 'back-up city'". Straits Times. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  22. ^ Datu, Carlo Lorenzo (January 23, 2018). "Construction of National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City begins". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  23. ^ Sports, Manila Standard (August 31, 2021). "New Clark City to house Olympian Memorial". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  24. ^ "30th SEA Games officially closes in New Clark City". GMA News Online.
  25. ^ Navarro, June (August 28, 2019). "Preps for PH Asean Para Games 2020 hosting 'on track'". sports.inquirer.net.
  26. ^ "New Clark City to host Asian swimming championships". BusinessMirror. December 9, 2019.
  27. ^ "PH to host 11th Asian Swimming Championships in 2020". cnn. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  28. ^ "Filinvest breaks ground for green, future-ready township in New Clark City". Bases Conversion and Development Authority. May 8, 2019. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  29. ^ BrandRoom, INQUIRER net (November 7, 2022). "Hann Reserve Project together with PGA of America breaks ground for the luxurious golf resort destination in PH". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  30. ^ "BusinessWorld | Philippine Science HS to locate lab facility in Clark Green City". www.bworldonline.com. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  31. ^ Parrocha, Azer (June 11, 2020). "PH sports academy to help develop world-class athletes: Andanar". Philippine News Agency. pna.gov.ph. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  32. ^ https://resilience.up.edu.ph/resilient_campuses/resilient-campus-plan-up-clark-green-city/ [dead link]
  33. ^ "New TUP training campus to rise in Clark Green City". The Philippine STAR.
  34. ^ "Virology research institute to be built in New Clark City | Bases Conversion and Development Authority". bcda.gov.ph. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020.
  35. ^ Tecson, Zorayda (July 9, 2021). "1st National Seed Technology Park to rise at New Clark City". Philippine News Agency.
  36. ^ "Space agency site to rise in New Clark City". Business World. October 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  37. ^ "BSP to invest P25 B for New Clark City facility". Manila Bulletin. June 26, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  38. ^ Design, Halcyon Web. "Supreme Court's First Judiciary Regional Center breaks ground in New Clark City | Bases Conversion and Development Authority". bcda.gov.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  39. ^ Design, Halcyon Web. "BCDA-MTD joint venture inks deal for NBI to locate offices in New Clark City | Bases Conversion and Development Authority". bcda.gov.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "CDC continues to provide free rides in Clark". SUNSTAR. April 16, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  41. ^ Rodriguez, Mia (December 2, 2019). "PSA: Here's How to Get to New Clark City for Free". spot.ph. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  42. ^ Atencio, Peter (November 27, 2018). "New Clark City-Mac Arthur Access Road". Manila Standard. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  43. ^ "BCDA inks deal with Zenmov, MC Metro for smart transport system in Clark dev'tse". bcda.gov.ph. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "BCDA inks deal with Zenmov, MC Metro for smart transport system in Clark dev'tse". newclark.ph. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.

External links

  • Official website

Media related to New Clark City at Wikimedia Commons

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