FROM URBAN FRINGE TO URBAN SPINE: THE CASE OF EPIFANIO DELOS SANTOS AVENUE IN THE CONTEXT OF METROPOLITAN MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Primarily, this dissertation aims to find sense and unifying order in Metro Manila’s sprawled urban condition by looking at the metropolis’ emergent urban spine: Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). Specifically – examining the historical and associated morphological factors that have contributed to its transformation from a minor circumferential, city‐fringe road within Metro Manila’s radial‐concentric network, into what it is today: The urban spine that serves as the backbone for the metropolis’ daily life. This investigation and analysis is done within the broader context of the paradigm of radial‐concentric urban form, suburbanisation, fringe cities and regional development – using these as the cornerstones for further investigation and analysis of existing conditions, planning policy and emergent trends/developments along EDSA and within Metro Manila. From this metropolitan framework, the study aims to reassess EDSA’s role within Metro Manila, hopefully leading to a renewed discourse of how we view Metro Manila and EDSA, and providing new insight in much broader discourse related to Global urbanism on issues such as Urban Morphology, Reurbanisation of Suburbs and Edge Cities.