Metro Manila falls short in meeting park needs.

Visual Data and Summary

Cotia D.J., Isla, F., III, Arellano, A.C.

May 23, 2025

WTA Labs

Abstract

This one-pager board provides a snapshot of research results from an urban geospatial study on parks across the Greater Manila Area (GMA), Philippines. Particular focus is given on Metro Manila, the national capital home to over 13 million people. At the GMA level, basic biophysical characteristics are presented, including the total number of parks (1,766), total area (1,096.18 ha), average size (mean: 0.62 sq m; median: 0.18 sq m), and average park space per capita (0.62 sq m per capita). Province-level data are also included for comparison. More than half of the parks in GMA, both in terms of count and total area, are located in Metro Manila. It contains 803 parks, which occupies 602.70 ha (mean: 0.75 sq m; median: 0.21 sq m), with Quezon City, the country’s largest city, leading in both aspects. A closer look at Metro Manila highlights additional urban context and accessibility dimensions. Parks are shown to be outnumbered by basketball courts and substantially outsized by cemeteries and golf courses. Moreover, Metro Manila residents have access to only 0.65 sq m of park space per capita, with just 1 sq m of park for every 72 sq m of built-up, populated space. These metrics illustrate a marked spatial imbalance and scarcity of accessible public spaces in the country’s most densely urbanized areas.

Keywords:

Urban parks, Public spaces, Geomatics, Spatial analysis

Pages:

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Metro Manila Parks GIS Visuals. WTA Labs, 2025.

Introduction

Metro Manila hosts nearly half of the region’s 1,766 parks, mostly within residential areas.

A total of 1,766 parks across the region were identified, with Metro Manila contributing the largest share (803). On average, parks measure 0.62 ha. in size and have an average tree cover of 27.55%. Nearly half (45.92%) are located within residential areas, often developed as amenities within private estates.

Park space per capita falls far below global standards, leaving millions without access.

The average park space per capita in the region is only 0.62 sq. m. per capita, which falls far below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 9 sq. m. per capita. Spatial analysis revealed that 1 in every 2 barangays lacks any access to parks, affecting an estimated 7.36 million people.

Parks occupy minimal land compared to built-up areas and other recreational spaces.

In terms of land distribution, there is only 1 sq. m. of park for every 129 sq. m. of built-up area in the Greater Manila Area. Furthermore, parks are outnumbered by basketball courts and greatly overshadowed in size by golf courses and cemeteries across the region.

More populous and warmer cities tend to have more parks but lower tree cover.

Regression analysis suggests that cities with more parks tend to have greater population, warmer temperatures, and lower tree cover. These factors appear to drive demand for formal green spaces in areas where urban heat and limited natural greenery are most pressing.

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