The Secret to Sustainable Cities

Every time I visit different cities, whether in the Philippines or abroad, I am always fascinated by their history, infrastructure, and people. A few months ago, I visited Iloilo City for the 10th Anniversary of MSME Core Resilience Core Group. I was there for the first time. Kudos to its Local Government Unit for its leadership. I was pleasantly surprised to see a well-organized, clean, and safe environment where I had no concerns about walking around with my family. This is perhaps no surprise, as the city has been recognized as a leading example of sustainable urban development in ASEAN.

Sustainable cities represent the perfect synergy of economic, environmental, and social development. They create a virtuous cycle in which city-wide growth supports investments in human and natural capital, leading to innovation, progress, and strong governance. This, in turn, powers and future-proofs sustainable cities.

Many cities in the Philippines aspire to become sustainable like Iloilo. What makes achieving this goal difficult?

Rapid urbanization, resulting in the overexploitation of resources, causes many cities to become unsustainable. The Todaro migration model explains how people's perception of higher incomes and a better quality of life in urban areas compared to rural areas drives rural-to-urban migration. The model theorizes that population growth in cities is largely influenced by the wage differential between urban and rural areas.

In a study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), the National Capital Region (NCR) was identified as the top regional destination for first-time migrants.

Imagine poor families from the provinces trying their luck in the city, only to discover that opportunities are limited and highly competitive, the cost of living is prohibitively high, and crime and violence remain persistent concerns. Meanwhile, waste generation and pollution continue to worsen, adding to the challenges of urban life.

When migration to cities increases without addressing issues such as poor governance, limited job opportunities, inadequate education, and widespread poverty, the tragedy of the commons begins to take effect. Urban dwellers compete for limited resources until they become depleted. Water bodies become polluted, land resources are exhausted, and infrastructure projects are left unfinished. Ultimately, cities become more vulnerable to climate-related disasters due to excessive population pressures.

Being able to live in a city despite its flaws is often described as resilience. I, however, would call it indifference.

Turning a blind eye to pressing environmental and social issues in pursuit of a supposedly “good life” risks undermining accountability among local government leaders. As more people migrate to highly urbanized areas, many become accustomed to the status quo rather than demanding meaningful change. Little is done to invest in better infrastructure, strengthen environmental protection, or introduce policies that regulate activities harmful to both nature and society.

In this reality, the challenges of cities in a developing country are laid bare—not merely in the persistence of poverty and inequality, but also in our growing tolerance for the very problems that hinder meaningful progress.

Let’s compare cities in developing countries to developed ones. I came across an article on the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) website featuring model cities such as Bonn, Germany, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. These cities provide compelling examples of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, where concrete actions to address climate impacts are integrated into urban development.

These cities integrate technology, society, and nature to enable livability.

In Bonn, there is the concept of “climate districts,” where public perception and participation serve as important inputs into climate action. In Buenos Aires, Barrio 20 was established as a space for the community to collaborate in addressing climate impacts and climate injustice. This includes implementing nature-based solutions, such as vertical gardens, as well as citizen science initiatives that enable communities to monitor temperature and humidity through capacity building and awareness.

I am already daydreaming of visiting these places one day. Who would not want to live in a city where quality of life is important?

Yet despite being a developing country, the Philippines too has its share of cities striving to become more sustainable. In Metro Manila, cities such as Makati and Quezon City, along with Bonifacio Global City, showcase the dynamism of urban development in the Philippines.

Metro Manila is a bustling metropolis of more than 14 million people and an economic powerhouse with a GDP of approximately USD 152 billion in 2025. It is a microcosm of the Philippines—a melting pot of cultures, aspirations, and people from different walks of life who come here in search of better opportunities.

Beneath the gleaming skyscrapers, modern infrastructure, and vibrant economic activity lies another reality: persistent poverty and inequality. Here, progress and deprivation coexist, reminding us that sustainable development is not just about building prosperous cities, but ensuring that prosperity is inclusive and leaves no one behind.

And just as the iconic song goes, “Manila, Manila. I keep coming back to Manila.” It is this very contrast—its promise, its challenges, and its undeniable energy—that keeps drawing people back. 

During my stay in Iloilo, I spoke with many Ilonggo friends who had lived in the city for years. They had no plans of moving to other cities such as Manila despite the higher-income opportunities available there. They enjoy a simpler quality of life and are passionate about contributing to Iloilo City's future development. Perhaps the secret to building a sustainable city is not an extreme fascination with wealth and technology. Maybe loving your city is enough to help it prosper. Maybe having a genuine concern for your city is enough to care about improving it for its future so that you and the people you care about do not feel compelled to leave. 

Remember, not all that glitter is gold.

As published in The Manila Times, dated 11 November 2026