ILOILO CITY – The river park project here was one of the winners of the 2024 Asian Townscape Awards (ATA).
The Iloilo Esplanade was cited as one of the leading models for urban landscape construction in
Asia during an awarding ceremony in Fukuoka, Japan on Monday, Nov. 18.
THE Iloilo Esplanade in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
The ATA awarded the Iloilo Esplanade for its “comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing the pollution and environmental degradation of the Iloilo River caused by unregulated human activities while promoting sustainable development.”
The linear river park was part of the Iloilo River Development Master Plan initially formulated in 2000.
The serious rehabilitation of the Iloilo River and neighboring Batiano River was implemented beginning 2011 when former Ilonggo Sen. Franklin M. Drilon initiated a public-private partnership (PPP).
Designed by renowned Architect Paulo Alcazaren, the river park connects to bike lanes built here.
Today, the esplanade is a multi-faceted park where residents can jog, walk, exercise, skateboard, or do recreational fishing.
“We are grateful that our esplanade has been chosen, and we believe that the project truly deserves this recognition based on the criteria, which focused on creating inclusive and sustainable urban spaces while introducing new dimensions to urban development initiatives,”
said Iloilo City Planning and Development Officer Ronald Cartagena, who received the award in Japan.