Manila: Urban Problems
From terrible traffic to putrid pollution, Manila, like many other Asian mega-cities, has many urban problems. Besides the fact that there is a clear line between those who have and those who don't have, Manila's government is having difficulty keeping up with the rapid growth of the mega-city.
One of the worst problem Manila has as an Asia mega-city is pollution. The smog that constantly settles on the city, the inadequate sewage systems that lead to water pollution and the lack of green space (trees, grass, parks etc.) all lead to growing problems within Manila. Traffic congestion is another major problem. There are too many cars for the roads of Manila, and the disregard of traffic laws mean that traffic problems in Manila are on the increase. Visitors who arrive in the Filipino city immediately notice that the traffic laws are not mandatory. The corrupt cops are easily bribed, and so all one needs is a few thousand pesos. With the thousands of cars of Manila roads, it is not surprising that the traffic problems in Manila are so bad. The overstuffed roads mean that time wasting traffic jams are common. |
Another urban problem Manila has is the flooding. Every year, during the wet season, Manila experiences devastating and deep floods. When the floods arrive, litter, homes, property and even people are picked up by the currents, and pulled away. Many lives and home are lost to floods, as seen in 2012 when Metro Manila was hit by a typhoon which caused 95 deaths, 8,428 home destroyed and a further 6,706 home damaged. This flooding is caused by shortage of green space within the city. This green space (if it were present), would soak up the unnecessary water that can contribute to the flash floods. |