Let Marawi ruins stay, build cities around them, urban planner says

An urban planner on Friday suggested that the ruins Marawi City be preserved and turned into a memorial.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Architect Jun Palafox said that the new settlements should instead be created around the ruins.

"Suggestion ko, let's not rebuild the city. Make it a  memorial for terrorism, memorial for those who died, and create new modern cities around Marawi and Lanao Lake that will be Islamic, interfaith, international, inclusive...more sustainable, environment friendly," Palafox said.

Palafox, an internationally renowned urban planner, said his vision is that the roads in the new cities only allow a third of it for vehicles.

"One-third of the road should be for trees and landscaping, one-third for pedestrian and bicycle, one-third for moving traffic vehicle," Palafox said.

"We can create Marawi a gateway," he added.

Vice President Leni Robredo first floated the idea of preserving Marawi ruins last October.

She said that it would serve as a monument for the bravery of soldiers who fought the Islamic State-inspired Maute group. —Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News