City Profile: Baguio

Baguio, planned as a convalescent-cum-recreational center and a highland refuge by American colonizers, has evolved into a highly-urbanized regional center. The availability of essential urban services and facilities has helped transform the settlement into the summer capital of the country, a major educational and tourist center, the seat of the regional government and, in recent years, an emerging industrial and health service center north of Metro Manila. Congestion arising from rapid population growth and uncontrolled urban expansion are exerting pressure on the city’s amenities, resources and the natural environment. This profile traces the city’s evolution as a hill station to a highly urbanized regional center, and discusses and analyses its plans for future development. Systematic planning, cooperation and good governance are crucial to address the many challenges that the city faces, and to allow for its sustainable development in the future.

► Baguio city is the only American hill station in Asia and the only hill station in the Philippines. ► Baguio city has been important economically, socially and politically for the last 100 years. ► Uncontrolled population and urban growth are exerting pressure on the city’s amenities, resources and the natural environment. ► Strategic planning, cooperation and good governance are vital to help address the threat of urban decay.