Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday expressed her desire to make the planned Pampanga Megalopolis as more "walkable" and "bikeable" to protect the environment and improve the quality of life of its residents and visitors.

Arroyo, who served as the province's representative in the Congress, said the future megalopolis should embrace green urbanism in a bid to reduce carbon footprints in communities, which in turn will make them more walkable and bikeable.

"It ensures that the community achieves a balanced lifestyle where there is work, play, living and worship," Arroyo, who is also the incumbent presidential adviser for Clark flagship projects, said in a statement.

Pampanga Megalopolis is Arroyo's vision to develop the 19 municipalities and three cities in Pampanga into the next center of growth in Luzon. The plan stemmed from her goal to decongest Metro Manila and provide the people with a cleaner and more progressive environment. According to Arroyo, Pampanga Megalopolis will become a jewel in Southeast Asia once completed

The former leader said the plan for megalopolis reflects green urbanism and green architecture with a lot of open spaces to encourage people to walk and ride bicycles, which is a growing trend in many European cities. It will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles and promote exercise.

"Roads should be designed, with pedestrians as the top priority," she said, adding "a walkable city is a hallmark of modern societies."

The transportation plan will prioritize the following in order: pedestrians, bicycles, public utility vehicles and private cars. It also involves designing the roads in the megalopolis so that a third of its space will be devoted to people, vehicles and landscapes.

Meanwhile, the construction of the buildings will be in accordance with the present condition of the site and in consideration of the natural environment. The plan aims to create buildings that will have minimal impact on human health and the natural environment.

To support mobility and transportation, new roads will be established such as the Pampanga Circumferential Road that interconnect all the cities and municipalities of the province. Priority and supplementary road projects will complete the circumferential road.

Arroyo said a well-connected province will attract more investments and economic activities.