Starting July 2013, I will be temporarily based in the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands to participate in an internship under the university TU Eindhoven. Focusing on understanding World Heritage Cities, I will be able to integrate my present understanding of World Heritage and my Landscape Architecture background to a greater understanding of urban planning and heritage protection of historic cities of the world. Such an understanding does not only apply to places of historical significance. The tools that are presently being developed are looking into the whole fabric of the city – its past, present and future needs.

Innovation and city development are the driving force of the economy and now, more than ever, interdisciplinary approaches are required to tackle the complex issues of sustainable growth. I am looking forward to the experience and of taking in important strategies during my stay in the Netherlands.

I would like to thank Dr. Ana Pereira-Roders for giving me this opportunity and Ms. Simona Cadar for helping me focus my educational pursuits. Other colleagues and dear friends in the programme of World Heritage Studies, thank you for your support.

Image from http://www.vvveindhoven.nl/en/

The Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) is aimed to be a new financial heart in the capital of Malaysia. The project is envisioned to be an innovative, technology driven, sustainable project that is aimed to strengthen the city’s financial importance in the next 10 to 20 years. The center of the 30-hectare mixed use development is a civic park inspired by natural and cultural forms of Malaysia. Gabriel has been involved in the initial stages of the vision of the landscape masterplan, coordinating with the local landscape and creating a softscape strategy that uses native plant materials to complement its ethos of sustainable design.

The KLIFD has now been renamed as the Tun Razak Exchange, paying respect to its strategic location between Jalan Sultan Ismail, the Putrajaya highway and Jalan Tun Razak.

Gabriel was involved from the initial masterplanning of KLIFD. Works done under Grant Associates, 2012.

Country

Republic of the Philippines

Name of Property

EDSA Shrine: Site of the People Power Revolution

Proposed Statement of Outstanding Universal Value

 The EDSA Shrine, a tribute to the events of the 1986 People Power Revolution, was collectively designed by several architects with contributions from top Filipino artists in the late 1980’s. It imbibes the idea of “Artists’ Power” wherein painters, sculptors and designers built an artistic masterpiece of collective ingenuity. Designed with Filipino history in mind, the shrine was inspired from the idea of a plaza, the foremost gathering space in traditional Filipino church architecture. The main materials used were local materials capturing the artistry of Filipino design.

The shrine is situated in the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, which was the epicenter of events during the peaceful revolt on the 22nd-25th of February 1986. The frescoes in its interior depicts people from different walks of life, military soldiers, government leaders, members of the church and ordinary men came together to overthrow a 20-year authoritarian regime of Ferdinand Marcos.

Undoubtedly, the shrine has intangible relation to the history of civil resistance. The Shrine, with its 35-foot bronze statue of Mary, Queen of Peace serves as a constant reminder that political reforms towards democracy, good governance and peace can be achieved by non-violent means.

Criteria under which inscription is proposed

CRITERION I

The EDSA Shrine represents a masterpiece of creative artistic and architectural collaboration between well renowned artists and building designers of the Philippines after the Marcos regime. The Shrine celebrates these masterpieces as a testament to Philippine artistic talent and social awareness. Its design represents the importance of celebrating the collective triumph for peace and freedom.

CRITERION IV

 The EDSA Shrine represents an outstanding example of a peaceful public protest space and its importance to history in times of political unrest. The Shrine was inspired by the traditional Catholic plaza space, which was the center of community life in the Philippines. The EDSA Shrine was significant during the historic People Power Revolution of 1986. It still remains an important gathering point for major reforms in the Philippine political arena;

CRITERION VI

The EDSA Shrine was the venue of the EDSA revolution of 1986, which served as a tipping point wherein common individuals, the church and political characters came together to remove the authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos. With its towering statue of Our Lady of Peace, this shrine is seen as a symbol of democracy and the power of non-violent means to gain political reforms.

Image Source: Manosa & Co Inc.

Gabriel Caballero, March 2012. Brandinburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

The al-fresco dining area in W Singapore  Sentosa Cove was conceived to be a park like environment wherein hotel guests and passers by can have a good meal outdoors while still enjoying the comforts of some shade. The area has a direct access to the promenade and it overlooks the yachts parked in Sentosa Cove. Gabriel has done the design of  this space making sure that there is enough balance between usable dining spaces and enough softscape coverage. The design consciously incorporates the architecture of the building, the table-inspired interior design of the restaurant and the experience of seaside life in Sentosa.

Image Source: W Hotel Facebook page.

Gabriel has been involved in the design stage of this project  all the way to its initial construction. Works done with Cicada Private Limited, 2010.

SUMMARY:

The Rhaetian Railway and its adjoining cultural landscape in the Albula and Bernina region was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2008. As part of the requirements of UNESCO for its nomination for World Heritage status, a management plan was drafted to protect the site’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). This transnational site under Switzerland and Italy covers 152 hectares and the surrounding landscape that is seen from the railway is under an extensive buffer zone with the landscape protected under Swiss law.  The railway’s technical design, architecture and its relationship to the natural surroundings are seen as its most important assets (UNESCO, 2008).

To effectively review the management plan of the Rhaetian Railway, the first thing to be checked is how the OUV is protected and how the management objectives integrate such protective measures. Also, the nomination file will need to be read concurrently with the management plan to deeply understand the site’s context and extent of its management system.

Many strategies have been focused in maintaining the property’s beauty for tourism, however  as a cultural landscape, its aesthetics and technical magnificence cannot be the only priority of the management plan. All intangible element associated with the site are important in maintaining its authenticity and sustaining this relationship needs to be strengthened to create a lasting effect to the property.

Image Source: P. Donatsch, Rhätische Bahn

Gabriel Caballero, February 2012. Brandinburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

A new video of Hamilo Coast came out in the online newspaper Rappler. Seven years ago, Gabriel was involved in the initial phase of development wherein sustainability efforts were still being conceptualized and the project’s infrastructure and design were masterplanned. Now the project has reached relative success and is becoming a tourist destination in the south of Manila.

Work done under E.A. + ADI Limited, 2007. Featured photo from Pico Tri-Invitational.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The role of participatory process is deeply engrained in the strategies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. An example of actions done by the organization is the ASEAN Civil Society Conference – an annual event that explores effective communication between ASEAN and ASEAN civil society. The ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program was also created in 2009 to provide a venue for knowledge-driven volunteerism where experiences and cross-cultural understanding are exchanged to intensify the aim of the creating an ASEAN identity.

One of the tasks for the ASEAN Community 2015 is the protection of cultural heritage and living traditions to create a strong regional identity. Heritage management through education and seminars, crafts training for rural communities and supporting ASEAN talents and scholars are some of the actions of the organization. However, it also recognizes the need for improvement on the national legislation in the member states to protect and preserve cultural heritage. 

In the course of researching how ASEAN deals with such issue, it becomes highly apparent that the focus of the Southeast Asian nations is addressing main thematic concerns of improving social justice, environmental sustainability, building a shared identity and human development. The lack of focus on heritage protection in legislation and participation of its people seems to indicate that it is not yet a priority in the region against all the development concerns it still faces. The main thrust of ASEAN civil society is to improve the lives of its citizens by education and development and not yet through the protection and use of its rich cultural heritage.

Image Source: UNESCO

Gabriel Caballero, January 2012. Brandinburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

ABSTRACT:

The city-state of Singapore is trying to balance the preservation of its cultural heritage but at the same time provide new space for development to efficiently use its limited land. The aim of the Capitol Theatre development is to integrate its early 20^th century buildings with new residential high-rise blocks. Elements of the past and demands of the future are combined in one small space.

The paper  is aimed to provide information regarding the Singapore context, the site – Capitol Theatre’s cultural significance and history. The author would also include some personal commentaries on the theatre’s redevelopment strategies and architectural design.  The point of view of the commentary is based on the author’s perception of architectural aesthetics and understanding of conservation based on previous architectural training and new learning from the masters program, World Heritage Studies.

Image source: asiaone.com. Perspective by Richard Meiers & Partner Architects

Gabriel Caballero, December 2012. Brandinburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

The cities of Rome and London have been, in the course of history, influential to the rest of the world. Both cities have been the center of an empire and their mark in history, architecture and global economy makes it a good case study on historic urban landscapes. The submitted paper focused on the efforts of both cities for future proofing by looking at how they strategize city developments in their respective context and allowing comparison for their different approaches.

Historically, both London and Rome have had extensive urban growth associated with their great global influence at a certain period in history.  From small farming settlements to fortified cities, they became centers of the world. This political and economic power is tied back to the arrival of immigrants and an increased desire for bringing order to the city. Such factors diversified the urban forms and created the character of these cities.

Image source: landscapeurbanism.com. Perspective by AECOM Design and Planning

Gabriel Caballero, November 2012. Brandinburgische Technische Universität Cottbus

W Singapore  Sentosa Cove has opened its doors a month ago showcasing contemporary, sexy and fun landscape design. The inspiration of the design has evolved from the exploration of the shape of the ellipse and sea life while embracing its strategic location near the Sentosa Cove Marina. W hotel is well known for becoming a hotel destination for hip travelers, party goers and posh events. The landscape, together with the colorful architecture and fun interiors provide the conducive setting for this vibrant location.

Gabriel has been involved in the design stage of this project  all the way to its initial construction. Works done with Cicada Private Limited, 2010.