A Community-Driven Approach to Nature-Based Master Planning for Emilio Aguinaldo Park, Baguio City, Philippines

Baguio City, a Highly Urbanized City (HUC), faces challenges in balancing built-up zones with open spaces, which impacts social cohesion and well-being. This study aimed to develop a decentralized approach to redesigning Emilio Aguinaldo Park using nature-based solutions (NBS) and capitalize on its potential as a green lung within the metropolis. Residents and park visitors provided information for this study through surveys and focus group discussions. The findings of this study guided the development of a master plan for EAP, giving community-led initiatives and nature-based solutions of the most significant importance to strengthen the park's function as a green area and community resource. Key themes reveal that the community prioritizes strategies that address environmental quality, health and wellness, recreational spaces, social interaction and community, safety and security, nature and aesthetics, and amenities and facilities. With the overall social acceptability of nature-based solutions as "Acceptable". The results of this study guided the development of a master plan for EAP, giving community-led initiatives and nature-based solutions of the most significant importance to strengthen the park's function as a green area and community resource. The decentralized master plan promotes resilience and a sense of ownership among the local community and prioritizes the need for recreational space. Also, it targets the crisis in urban resilience by balancing the coexistence of public areas with integrated urban management techniques.