Thesis (BS Architecture) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2007

Open spaces are vital elements in our environment. They perform necessary and positive functions: they provide recreational opportunities for the people, protect physical resources like water bodies, agricultural and timber lands and the different species they contain, and ultimately affect a wide range of economic development from employment to tourism. However, in the constant confrontation between open space conservation and development, construction emerges as the tougher contender, open space are always vulnerable to demands from development interests that lead to the creation of urban spaces and environmental degradation. This kind of open space problem is evident in Davao City along in its one of the most important natural legacies ? the Davao River. This study identifies open spaces along the Davao Riverbanks and provides approaches to achieve a balance of the built and natural environments through open space development. The urban and natural character of the riverbanks along the Davao River differs, from a densely-developed riverbank in the urbanized area, to a more naturalized riverbank in the sub-urban areas. Also inherent with them are varying features, constraints, and functions such as every riverfront is different and requires planning solutions appropriate to its unique conditions, Davao riverfront and open space planning should reconcile these defining elements with environmental design and strategies through "Green Approaches", in order to redress the balance between development and open spaces, draw new investments to the city, and most of all, enhance the river's ecological systems.