Open Space: Parks

and Playgrounds
Presented by:
Abante, Romelyn
Bantigue, Cherry Mae
Papa, David
Kakai
Open Space
- An area reserved exclusively for
parks, playgrounds, recreational
uses, schools, roads, places of
worship, hospitals, health centers,
barangay centers and other similar
amenities and facilities.
- A system of functional open spaces is an
important element of the CLUP
- Functional open spaces are areas that are
deliberately kept in their open character for
their contribution toward maintaining the
amenity value of the environment
- If sufficiently vegetated, open spaces
perform ecological services as carbon sink
and contribute to rainwater infiltration and
aquifer recharge
- They also offer opportunities for free
recreation for the local residents. At the
same time they can serve as protection
buffers around hazardous areas and
 installations buffers around hazardous
areas and installations.
- Open space shall conform to the
provisions of PD 1216 and its
implementing rules and shall include the
following:
1. Streets – adequate and safe means of
vehicular pedestrian circulation and
easements for utilities and planting
strips, shall be provided
2. Walks – paved walks shall be provided
to the living units from streets, parking
spaces and from
 living units to play area.
3. Parks and Playgrounds – suitable
recreational area shall be allocated within
the subdivision. Where applicable, a
hierarchy of such recreational areas may
be provided for, such that, a strategically
located main park area is supplemented or
complemented by one or more smaller
pocket or areas for recreational use.
These areas must be accessible to living
units and free from any form of hazard
risk. Said parks and playgrounds shall be
cleared and free from any debris.
Parks and Playground
Park – An area of land set aside for public
use, as:
 A piece of land with few or no buildings within or
adjoining a town, maintained for recreational
and ornamental purposes.
 A landscaped city square.
 A large tract of rural land kept in its natural state
and usually reserved for the enjoyment and
recreation of visitors.

Playground – An outdoor area set aside for

recreation and play,
 especially one containing equipment
such as seesaws and swings.

 Parks and playground as much as

possible shall be at street level
 Allocation of area for parks and
playgrounds shall be mandatory for
projects one (1) hectare or more and
shall be deemed non-buildable area.
 The same shall be strategically
located within the subdivision project.
 Area allocated for parks and playgrounds
shall in no case be less than 100 square
meters.

 The percentage requirements for

parks/playgrounds shall be at follows:
Parks and Playground Allocation

DENSITY PARKS/PLAYGROUNDS
No. of Lots/Dwelling Allocation in percent Gross
unit per hectare Area (%)
20 and below 3.5
21 - 25 4.0
26 – 35 5.0
36 – 50 6.0
51 – 65 7.0
Above 65 9.0
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1216

Section 31: Roads, Alleys, Sidewalks, and

Open space – The owner as developer of
subdivision shall provide adequate roads,
alleys and sidewalks. For subdivision
projects one hectare or more, the owner
or developer shall reserve 30 % of the
gross area for open space. Such open
space shall have the following standards
allocated exclusively for parks,
playgrounds and recreational use:
a. 9% of gross area for high density or
social housing (66 – 100 family lot for
gross hectare).
b. 7% of gross area for medium-density or
economic housing (21 – 65 family lot
per gross hectare).
c. 3.5% of gross area for low-density or
open market housing (20 family lots or
below per gross hectare).
Hierarchy of Parks and
Playgrounds
 At the city/ municipal level, the town
square or plaza is at the top of the
hierarchy
- The town plaza should be a factor in
establishing the image of the town.
Central urban functions may be located
around the town plaza
 Lower order parks should be planned in
conjunction with neighborhood and
community centers
 Lower-end open spaces include
barangay parks, neighborhood parks,
vest-pocket parks, and tot lots (children’s
play areas).