Project Title & Location
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR THE INDUSTRIAL CITY OF PORT GENTIL
Port Gentil, Gabon, South Africa

Client
CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (CDCP)
Makati

Project Completion
1977

Associated Firms
Construction Development Corporation of the Philippines, P & E Group

Services Provided
- Planning, financial and engineering studies of the various works were involved in the urban development of Port Gentil
- Urban planning
- Architecture and landscape schemes
- Environmental characterization
- Social soundness studies
- Development regulations and zoning drafts

When the Philippine Government entered into a bilateral agreement with the Republic of Gabon, one of the projects proposed by the Philippine officials in the exploration of urban development prospects for the West African country. The priority area selected happens to be part of Port Gentil a thriving industrial enclave of 16,000 hectares located in a 15-km long peninsula. The urban limits consists of 4,000 hectares of which less than 25 percent is built-up.

The major economic activities of the city are oil mining right in the urban area and timber processing. The Philippines offer is to prepare plans for the redevelopment of sections of the city up to 2025. Implementation of the redevelopment including the construction of new infrastructure is to be made in exchange for oil, which the Philippines is short of supply.

Engineers from CDCP with collaboration of architects and planners from PROS undertook the surveys, comprehensive planning and engineering works as well as programming the financial program for the project.

The planning for Port Gentil is geared towards creating culturally meaningful physical and social environment that will catalyze urban development. The planning approach is considered unique by the local counterparts who worked with the Filipinos. The interaction is viewed as dynamic, and the synthesis and plan recommendations are stimulating.

The implementation of planning involves putting together planning elements that include a maritime port, the central business district, urban corridor, an airport improvement program and a canal system that will give uniqueness to the city.

In addition to the modernizing of infrastructure, additional land uses are identified to cover social and commercial nodes, activity nooks, an open space network, community facilities and special uses. All are synthesized into a functional, as well as an artistic whole.