WITH a total prize money of P100,000, a project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is calling on Dabawenyos from various sectors to join the city-wide competition for the best Transport Vision for Davao City.
Conducted in cooperation with the city government and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Sustainable Urban Transport for Davao City (SUTRAD) project takes on the premise that the future transport system of the city does not have to lead to traffic congestion and pollution.
The SUTRAD project will assist Davao City define its own path to the development of its urban transport: the green road to prosperity and mobility. Through this visioning contest, the project is encouraging Dabawenyos to take part in charting a better future for their city.
The process is simple. Existing organizations are encouraged to form their respective Vision Team of at least two persons. Each team must have a designated Team Leader and contact address (email and cellphone number). Only entries submitted via the Internet will be accepted.
To qualify, a Vision Team must submit a one-page concept paper that embodies the philosophy of sustainable urban transport and reflects the aspirations of Davao residents for a sustainable city. It must be unique and not a copy of some other’s city’s vision.
As pointed out in the ADB Sustainable Transport Initiative Plan, development is “much more than economic advancement.” The concept paper must be submitted on or before 28 February 2011, and indicate which of the five sectors it belongs to: (1) Business and Professional Trade Groups, (2) Academe and Students, (3) Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organizations, (4) Barangays, (5) Transport associations and cooperatives.
For group 4, only one Vision Team officially designated by the Barangay Council may be allowed to participate. Similarly, only one Team can be registered by an established organization in the other four sectors. Several teams may come from a school, college or university, provided, however, that they are existing student organizations or clubs.
Three finalists will be chosen from each sector on or before 30 March 2011. The finalists will be given one week to refine or improve their concepts and vision statements in a format to be issued later. The best in each of the five sectors will receive a cash prize of P5,000 each. The winning entry will receive a grand prize of P75,000 on or before 15 April 2011.
Interested participants are then encouraged to do their own research and studies. For queries and further reference, they may also contact the project office at the old 911 Emergency Center, which may be reached at (082)222-0911. Interested applicants may also email sutrad@googlegroups.com.
Apart from the visioning contest, the SUTRAD Project will also assess the existing public transport routes in order to make them more responsive and accessible to a wider community of users; craft an affordable and socially-acceptable program that would convert tricycles into low-emission clean vehicles. It will also revisit the city plan for a mass transit system, by evaluating a more sustainable option known as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The Sustainable Urban Transport for Davao City project is part of the ADB’s wider program covering several Asian cities–with Davao City as the pilot case for the country. [pr]
