Introduction

An important step in improving the city's infrastructure and giving its citizens access to a
multipurpose public area is the construction of the Recreational and Commercial Community Civic
Center Complex in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan. This initiative fits with Urdaneta's larger goal of
fostering social connection, economic activity, and civic involvement as the city grows as an
agricultural and industrial powerhouse. The civic center is intended to be a bustling hub where
business and leisure activities coexist, promoting a feeling of community and strengthening the local
economy at the same time. Urdaneta's dedication to modernity, sustainability, and inclusive urban
development is shown in this effort.
Around the world, community centers are well-known and have long been used for a variety of
purposes in diverse areas. The goal of this design project is to establish a community center in a
remote area. According to Xu, Gao, and Yan (2005), "Community services are widely regarded as
effective solutions to social and economic challenges, with the community center playing a central
role in delivering these services."
Community centers in the Philippines offer a secure and accessible environment for Filipino
families to seek assistance, participate in group activities, and use public services. These centers
serve as gathering locations for a variety of activities, including social support, information sharing,
and community participation. They may serve the entire community or be specialized to certain
groups. Community centers can be religious in nature, such as Christian, Islamic, or Jewish
institutions, or secular, such as youth clubs.
This paper will look at several facets of the planned civic center, beginning with its architectural
design and how it balances recreational, commercial, and civic activity. The article will investigate
the center's function in encouraging social cohesion and economic growth, as well as how it fits into
Urdaneta's long-term urban development objectives. Furthermore, potential implementation issues,
such as budgetary limits and public response, will be discussed, as well as viable ways for
overcoming these hurdles. The study aims to offer a complete overview of how the center might
become a landmark development that stimulates both community participation and economic growth.
Long acknowledged for its advantageous position in Pangasinan, Urdaneta City is essential to the
area's industrial and agricultural sectors. The city has made great progress in enhancing its
infrastructure and offering necessary public services throughout time. Urdaneta wants to provide
fresh chances for social and economic growth while using its current advantages with this civic

1|Page
center project. Within a single integrated building, the complex will provide inhabitants commercial
venues, recreational spaces, and a central gathering place for community activities. The facility is
anticipated to support the city's objectives for good governance and environmental responsibility by
using sustainable design concepts.
In particular, Urdaneta City sees itself as a center for the advancement of education and agri-
industrial development. Strong waste management programs, effective traffic patterns, long-term
social services, and equitable access for all of its residents are among its goals. Urdaneta wants to be
a community that is self-sufficient, orderly, and development-oriented—a example of excellent
administration for Northern Luzon.
The city is also committed to providing necessary infrastructure and social services that foster a
healthy and safe environment. Urdaneta City strives to achieve political stability and economic
independence via strong governance and proactive leadership, as well as to encourage public
engagement in policymaking and project execution.
The civic center complex will not only provide for the urgent requirements of the locals, but it is
also expected to draw in outside investors and local companies, raising Urdaneta's socioeconomic
standing. Although the recreational amenities will encourage social contact, cultural expression, and
physical exercise, the commercial parts of the center will provide a platform for local businesses to
flourish. In order to help Urdaneta become a sustainable development model city and improve the
quality of life for its residents, this study will look at how the development of this civic center might
help that goal.
Finally, this research seeks to give an in-depth examination of how the Recreational and
Commercial Community Civic Center Complex might serve as a foundation for Urdaneta City's
future growth. The center is poised to become a vital component of the city's urban environment by
integrating communal, economic, and civic services, supporting a well-rounded and vibrant
community.
Project Description
The proposed Recreational and Commercial Community Civic Center Complex is a multi-
sectoral initiative designed to serve various community needs. It will feature a variety of facilities,
including recreational, leisure, and community event spaces, along with non-educational facilities.
The recreational amenities will include a park, oval track, multi-purpose arena, fitness and recreation
center, and outdoor sports areas.

2|Page
Non-educational facilities will comprise a livelihood training center, a co-working café, a library, and
an art gallery museum. The training center will offer vocational courses in dressmaking, tailoring,
carpentry, and furniture and cabinet-making. Leisure facilities will include a mini shopping center,
while community event spaces will consist of an event hall and a multi-purpose hall.
Spanning approximately 20 hectares, the project is strategically located along the Urdaneta Bypass
Road in Nancayasan (near Sta. Lucia), Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
Statement of the Design Problem:
As part of the Vision and Mission of the Local Government of Urdaneta City, the Local
Government of Urdaneta City, together with the partnership of a multinational development company
has embarked in a long term project proposal for a multi-purpose community centers to serve as
venue for government services, communal space, sports and recreational and commercial activities
and even an evacuation center.
The proposed project seeks to create a typology in which a public building in a modern urban
environment is made to support the community, its welfare, and livability. It also seeks to redefine
the sense and quality of city living by creating a development model that benefits the public in which
they are located.
The proposed project will be located at the heart of a residential and commercial environment and
will be designed to embrace public interaction, as it creates opportunities for new behaviors of
learning in a relaxed setting and will become the central hub for community within the district –
suggestive to a resident’s extension of their city home.
Objectives of this Research
The goal of building a Recreational and Commercial Community Civic Center Complex is to
provide a multipurpose area that meets the demands of an expanding urban community on the social,
economic, and recreational fronts. The design, function, and effects of such a complex are the main
subjects of this study, with an emphasis on how it may promote leisure pursuits, local company
expansion, and community involvement. The complex is intended to improve people' quality of life
while encouraging social interaction and economic growth by combining areas for recreation,
shopping, and civic services. The study will look at the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of
project as well as best practices and obstacles to overcome.
Objectives:
 To analyze the architectural and spatial design of the complex, ensuring it effectively

3|Page
 integrates recreational, commercial, and civic spaces.
 To evaluate how the complex can serve as a catalyst for both social cohesion and economic
growth within the community.
 To explore how the complex can be designed to incorporate sustainable practices and cater to
diverse community needs, including accessibility and environmental considerations.
 To anticipate the potential obstacles in the planning, construction, and operation of the
complex, such as funding and maintenance, and propose viable solutions.
 To assess how the complex contributes to Urdaneta City's long-term urban development
goals, including good governance, community engagement, and infrastructure improvement.
Contents of this Research
This study explores the establishment and effects of a commercial and recreational community
civic center complex located in Urdaneta City. The research delves into this grand project's many
facets, with an emphasis on how it might improve urban development, economic growth, and
community involvement. In order to meet the many demands of Urdaneta's citizens, the research
addresses the architectural concepts that direct the construction of a multipurpose space that
integrates commercial spaces, civic duties, and recreational amenities. It investigates the possible
benefits of clustering related companies and facilities, the significance of accessibility and inclusion,
and the difficulties associated with balancing space limits with financial resources. The study also
examines how the civic center fits within Urdaneta City's strategy for long-term urban growth and
community well-being. The study's detailed research seeks to give significant insights into how to
create a lively and effective public space that improves the city's quality of life.
Civic Center
A civic center is a network of spaces or buildings that provide essential services to a city or town.
It can include everything from government offices and public meeting spaces to free classes and
memorials honoring important members of the community. Civic centers are tailored to support the
often very specific needs of communities. As a result, civic center architecture design varies
dramatically across the country in size, scope, and overall appearance (HMCArchitects, n.d.).

4|Page
 Civic centre (Source:Britannica.com)

Civic Center Floor Plan (Source: mavink.com)

5|Page
and arrangement became popular (Britannica, 2024).
The ideal location for a civic center is typically at the heart of a community, whether that be the
population center, geographic center, or business hub of the area. This strategic placement ensures
that the civic center is accessible and relevant to the greatest number of people. While certain
essential municipal services, such as police stations, fire departments, and welfare agencies, need to
be distributed across various neighborhoods for quick access and response, the main headquarters for
these services are often centralized within the civic center itself.
The size and scope of a civic center are largely determined by the population and municipal needs
of the city it serves. In smaller cities, a civic center may consist of a city hall, headquarters for local
police, fire, and welfare departments, along with courtrooms, a post office, and possibly a central
library. Larger cities, on the other hand, require a more extensive array of facilities, including offices
for public utilities, public health services, and space for county, state, and national government
functions. The inclusion of green spaces, such as parks or open areas, is also highly desirable in the
planning of civic centers, as it enhances the aesthetic appeal and provides public areas for relaxation
and recreation.
A prime example of an architecturally and spatially well-designed civic center can be found in
Toronto. The city's civic center successfully integrates its urban landscape while accommodating a
wide range of municipal functions. However, a common challenge in civic center development is that
cities with the financial resources to build these complexes often struggle with space constraints, as
inner-city areas are typically densely built-up. Conversely, cities with ample space may lack the
necessary funding to develop a full-fledged civic center.
This delicate balance between space availability and financial capability presents a significant
hurdle in urban planning. Despite these challenges, civic centers remain critical to the functionality
of a city, providing centralized locations for essential services and fostering a sense of community.
By carefully considering the needs and growth of a city, planners can design civic centers that serve
both the practical and social needs of the population.

Recreation Center

6|Page
 UC Riverside Student Recreation Center Expansion (Source: ArchDaily)
Recreation Center means an off-site facility operated by a Local Government, Tribe or Non-Profit
Organization that provides low to no cost programs focusing on at least three of the following:
general interest adult classes, sports leagues, fitness/recreation, youth character/leadership
development, youth academic enrichment, high school dropout prevention, or youth nutrition/life
skills (Law Insider, 2014).
Commercial Centers
Commercial Centers are an alternative to more Automobile Dependent commercial land use
patterns, such as suburban strips (activities are scattered along major arterials, which requires a car
trip between each destination), and private malls or campuses (which have a high degree of internal
walkability, but are generally surrounded by large parking facilities, are widely dispersed, and
contain a limited range of activities, and so tend to require numerous automobile trips) (TDM
Encyclopedia, 2015).

7|Page
 Commercial center in Guayaquil, Ecuador (Source: amazingarchitecture.com)
There are various types of commercial centers, ranging from Downtowns or Central Business
Districts (CBDs), which serve as the primary commercial hub for a region, to Secondary Business
Districts and Village Centers. Large CBDs can house thousands of businesses employing tens of
thousands of people, while smaller village centers may be considered successful with just a dozen
businesses and a few hundred employees. Some commercial centers are specialized, such as clusters
of medical facilities, wholesale districts, tourist areas, or those located near university campuses.
Despite their focus, these centers typically offer a wide variety of businesses providing support
services.
Commercial centers where related industries cluster together tend to operate more efficiently, as
this proximity allows for easy interaction among staff and quick access to essential services. A
typical business district might host offices for industries such as finance, insurance, real estate, law,
and research, along with support services like stationery retailers, janitorial services, and computer
supply companies. This specialization enables businesses to cater to specific needs, such as legal
experts in niche fields or suppliers of specialized equipment. Additionally, commercial centers often
include facilities like conference venues, hotels, and other meeting spaces, allowing professionals to
interact with colleagues—such as bankers, lawyers, or translators—without extensive travel. This
efficient setup, where related industries are closely located, enhances economic productivity, a

8|Page
phenomenon known as Economies of Agglomeration.
Strong commercial centers are a cornerstone of Smart Growth and New Urbanism. Many
central business districts and surrounding neighborhoods are witnessing new residential
developments, such as high- and medium-density condominiums, townhouses, and small-lot single-
family homes. Urban living has become increasingly popular, especially among young adults and
retirees. Surveys suggest that about one-third of home buyers would choose to live in mixed-use,
new urbanist communities if available (Hirschhorn, 2001). While some central business districts
continue to experience declines in businesses and population, evidence shows that, with proper
support, downtown areas can thrive, offering significant economic, social, and environmental
benefits.
Transportation planning plays a key role in the success of commercial centers. Effective systems
for walking, public transit, and parking management are crucial, and Commute Trip Reduction
programs have proven particularly useful. Public bike systems also improve accessibility and
convenience for those traveling within downtown areas.
For those who work, shop, or live in a commercial center, many daily needs can be met without
the use of a car. Employees in these areas have access to a diverse range of cafes, restaurants, and
shops offering daily necessities like groceries, books, and office supplies, along with more
specialized items like gifts, clothing, and hardware. Additionally, vibrant commercial centers
typically include services such as medical and dental care, fitness centers, daycare facilities, and
more. Locating affordable housing near commercial districts is highly beneficial for non-drivers, as it
ensures easy access to these essential services, a concept known as Location Efficient
Development.
Design Considerations:
a. Sustainability, function and efficiency;
b. Well planned horizontal circulation patterns;
c. Architectural character and form, with a touch Filipino vernacular motif (both external and
internal);
d. Aesthetics and landmark quality;
e. Amenities, facilities, services and utilities introduced;
f. Security, safety and convenient features both daytime and night time
g. Natural and artificial ventilation where applicable;

9|Page
 h. A safe pedestrian-oriented site development design;
i. Ample visitor and administrative parking spaces with proper shelters, shall be directly
accessible from the public access road.
j. Driveways (for individual carport access by residents) shall be no-parking zones;
k. Property lines shall be defined by soft-scaping with secured fences as perimeter walls; the
house shall be along industrial, commercial and residential zone, identifying with modern
styling, Filipino inspired spatial solutions and tropical architectural features that go with the
humid Philippine climate.
l. Observing minimum design standards in accordance with National Building Code and Local
Codes as required.
Design Objetives:
1. This project makes for a case of Community Center as venue for improving quality of life
through enriching the locality’s knowledge economy.
2. It can host a variety of public services, engage the community in place making and be
utilized as an area for meaningful and productive exchange.
3. This project can be a focal point in community governance by bringing about a knowledge-
based economy by creating institutional facilities and non-formal educational and cultural
opportunities.
4. Overall, the project should be designed to achieve efficiency, oneness and comfort of a
modern community center, engrained deeply in the culture and lifestyle of the Locality.
Design Principles for the Future Public Spaces of the Civic Center
A Landmark Celebrating Shared History and Tradition
 Honor the National Landmark Beaux-Arts District with a modern approach.
 Reflect the best of the city’s neighborhoods and cultural diversity.
 Establish an iconic and authentic destination that leaves a lasting impression on both visitors
and residents, showcasing Urdaneta City’s essence to surrounding towns and cities.
A Flexible, Accessible, and Inviting Space for All
 Accommodate large public events such as gatherings, celebrations, protests, and marches.
 Design inclusive spaces that cater to families and visitors of all ages and income levels,
ensuring they are multi-generational and multi-functional.
 Transform the predominantly car-centric area into a people-friendly environment.

10 | P a g e
 The Cultural Hub and Political Heart of the City
 Celebrate Urdaneta City’s diversity as a global city.
 Create opportunities for public expression, performances, and art within the public spaces.
 Honor the rich history of political activism associated with the Civic Center.
A Source of Beauty, Joy, and Wellness
 Ensure access to natural elements within the space.
 Incorporate seasonal beauty through color and flowers to enhance the environment.
 Create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere both day and night, encouraging people to
linger and enjoy the space.
 Responsibly manage and care for shared resources to maintain the space's integrity.
A Generous Space Catering to the Basic Needs of a Diverse Public
 Provide essential amenities such as bathrooms, water fountains, seating, and lighting, tailored
to the specific needs of each area.
 Make these amenities a symbol of generosity, ensuring comfort for all visitors.
 Promote public health by supporting recreational activities, wellness initiatives, and healthy
uses of the space.
Designed and Managed Through an Inclusive Process that Fosters Equity
 Promote economic inclusion by supporting local vendors through affordable rent and
accessible food options.
 Enhance and support the local Farmers’ Market, creating opportunities for local jobs and
commerce.

11 | P a g e