World Habitat Day, observed on the first Monday of October each year, reminds us of the importance of creating sustainable environments where communities and nature can thrive.
This year, we put the spotlight on a remarkable initiative supported by TP for UNICEF partnership in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. At the heart of Pasig City, a once-dead riverbed is being revitalized into a safe and accessible route connecting schools and homes. The project aims to provide cooling green zones that protect the environment, foster biodiversity, and create welcoming spaces for the community. Joggers, cyclists, and school children will soon be able to enjoy this path to get from one place to another and as a shared space for learning, recreation, and connection.
A community-powered vision
The initiative, supported by UNICEF and through a partnership with the University of Melbourne, brings together diverse voices from across the community. Women’s groups, senior citizens, and youth organizations actively shaped the design. Architects and biologists have provided expert guidance to strengthen the project's ecological impact, making the new spaces sustainable and supportive of local plant and animal life.
World Habitat Day calls us to reflect on how our environments shape the way we live, and how we, in turn, shape them. The Pasig City project shows that neglected areas can be reborn as healthy, inclusive habitats.
As we celebrate World Habitat Day, this story from Pasig City is proof that creating sustainable cities begins with listening to communities and empowering them to transform their own spaces. See the full story come to life in our recent documentary and read more about how TP for UNICEF partnership is making a difference here.
