Architect Felino A. Palafox, Jr. presented a long-term urban development framework for the Philippines that he said could support a scenario in which the country ranks among the world’s 16th biggest economies by 2050, driven by large-scale smart city development and transport expansion, as reported by BusinessWorld .
Palafox highlighted that by 2050, more than 100 million Filipinos are expected to live in urban areas, underscoring the need for strategic urban planning. The framework emphasizes integrating technology and infrastructure to create sustainable, efficient cities that can accommodate rapid population growth.
The vision includes expanding transportation networks and deploying smart city technologies to improve quality of life and economic competitiveness. Palafox’s proposal aims to position the Philippines as a regional leader in urban innovation, aligning with national development goals.