Instituto Cervantes colloquium explores challenges for modern cities

As cities around the world grapple with rapid urbanization, climate change, congestion, and environmental pressures, Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, and AECID will hold “Makati, Urban Recipes for a City’s Survival” on 15 September, 6 p.m., at the Ayala Museum.

The colloquium will bring together leading Filipino and Spanish practitioners to discuss the challenges and opportunities that contemporary cities are facing nowadays.

Moderated by architect Michael Manalo, the discussion will explore topics including sustainable architecture, urban planning, public spaces, and innovative approaches to creating more livable and resilient cities. The panel will bring together three distinguished practitioners from the fields of architecture, urbanism, and the creative economy: José Luis Vallejo, Spanish architect, and co-director and founding member of Ecosistema urbano; Paulo Alcazaren, a Filipino architect, urban designer, and environmental planner who has overseen projects such as the Iloilo River Esplanade; and Paolo Mercado, a creative economy expert and a lead policy expert for the Philippine National Design Policy.

Rather than offering a single formula for the city of the future, the conversation will explore the different “ingredients” that can help create more sustainable, livable, and resilient cities.

Admission is free, and the event is open to architects, urban planners, designers, cultural practitioners, students, educators, and anyone interested in architecture, urbanism, culture, sustainability, design, and the future of Philippine cities. Reserve a slot through https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/pjLXzz4k0M.

As part of his visit to Manila, Vallejo will also give a lecture at the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture on 16 September. The lecture will be open to UST students and alumni and will be held at the UST Manila campus.