The P.L.A.C.E. concept towards a phenomenological approach to environmental assessment a case study of the Manila CBD in Quiapo and Sta. Cruz - Cardenal, Joeffrey M. (Quezon City College of Architecture, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 2003)
The P.L.A.C.E. concept is a proposed research methodology to understand the "genius loc" or spirit of a place that makes it different from other sites or areas in which man may find fit for his existence. It is a systematic assessment of the biophysical as well as psychosocial surroundings where he gains information as inputs and stirs his thoughts and emotions as outputs so he can know himself better as a unique species of the earth. This approach is an integration of several studies of phenomena done in the field of geography, biology, etc. dealing with the broad subject of the environment and landscape aesthetics theory as a condition for human habitation, thus the multi-disciplinary origin of its proposition. As a qualitative study of the different component environmental factors that constitute a P.L.A.C.E. such that P=People, L=Landscape, A=Artifacts, C=Context and events, the interrelationships of these dependent variables are explored. through the interchangeable interactions of each factor in a gestalt-dynamics system, it will have the effect of composing a comprehensive yet realistic image of the place undertaken by emphasizing the experimental "wholes" rather than the empirical "parts". The perceptive analysis of the resultant phenomena may contribute to the identification of certain characteristics of a place. This may then be the basis of the synthesis for some interventions in order to sustain the development of the inherent qualities of a particular place for the future survival of an as one of the active component. To apply this concept-method of the environmental assessment, a case study is conducted on the old Central Business District (CBD) in the city of Manila. Adapting a rapid urban appraisal of the mix (residential, commercial and institutional) land uses of Quiapo and Sta. Cruz "downtowns", it is hoped that a more ecological sensitive and culturally responsive policies and plan of action can be derived in the future so that Manila CBD will maintain its uniqueness as a place that it is, in order to realize a conducive life for its resident citizens as well as the transient visitors and workers. By this phenomenology of the place, a system of knowledge based on the qualitative perceptions and experiences of reality presented more on the visual-oriented cognition and interpreted through personal and/or social opinion may be organized on the causes and effects of change in the environment.
Thesis (Master of Tropical Landscape Architecture) -- University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Keywords: Environmental impact analysis -- Quiapo (Manila); Environmental impact analysis -- Sta. Cruz (Manila).