Description

“Journey by the Bay” was a MADE 2020 competition entry designed to propose a new approach towards the development of the capital to start a discussion about the future of Manila and Luzon. This proposal is a 22-kmlong bridge between Bataan and Cavite. It develops a backbone of transportation that would be composed of a highway and a High-Speed Train. This would closely connect the different cities around the Bay (Manila, the new Airport, Naic, Corregidor, Balanga, Hermosa and Malolos) with the loop taking only one hour. By creating a direct link between Bataan and Cavite, the highway would be the perfect opportunity to create a bypass connecting the North and the South, while avoiding Manila. The Backbone would accelerate the development of satellite cities and, at the same time, emphasize the polycentric development encouraged by JICA. These cities would be able to host some functions of Manila, attracting BPOs, universities and even government offices. With its functions scattered in the nearby cities, Manila will be able to regenerate itself without compromising its development.

This bridge would be the longest in the Philippines with a section of 17 km between Cavite and Corregidor, and a 4km section between Corregidor and Bataan. The bridge is designed to disappear when reaching Corregidor, becoming a tunnel and leaving the surface of the historical island untouched, allowing the creation of a stopover for the High- Speed Train for easy access by the public.

The design of the bridge is inspired by the sea, the surrounding mountains and the skyline of Manila the bridge is facing. Each span of the bridge is designed based on the perception of boats that used to link Manila to the rest of the world, transforming the bridge into a fleet of Galleons guarding the Bay. A tower, which is a revisited version of a lighthouse accessible by the public, adds a vertical element to the bridge while emphasizing the historical relationship of the Filipinos to the sea and symbolizing guidance for the years to come.