Impact, Diffusion and Scaling-Up of a Comprehensive Land-Use Planning Approach in the Philippines: From Development Cooperation to National Policies

Abstract

This evaluation report investigates the impact of ten years of comprehensive 
\nland-use planning in the Philippines. Characterized by fundamental 
\ndevelopmental challenges associated with scarce land resources, 
\nenvironmental degradation, natural hazards and persistent poverty, 
\nland-use planning plays a crucial role in finding answers to these pressing 
\nchallenges.
\nThe impact evaluation assesses a technical approach to enhanced land-use 
\nplanning and capacity development from community to national level, 
\nsupporting decentralized planning, natural resource governance, and 
\nresilience to natural hazards and climate change. The so-called SIMPLE 
\n(Sustainable Integrated Management and Planning for Local Government 
\nEcosystems) approach by the Philippine-German cooperation, managed 
\nby the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), 
\nwas implemented in two regions of the Visayas. The ambitious intervention 
\noperated in a challenging environment with multiple stakeholders, 
\noverlapping mandates, and imprecise legal frameworks. In cooperation 
\nwith GIZ, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) rolled 
\nout the related enhanced Comprehensive Land Use Planning (eCLUP) 
\nguidelines nationwide. 
\nBased on a mixed-methods and quasi-experimental design, the evaluation 
\ngenerates relevant findings for the improvement of land-use planning and 
\nlocal governance interventions, for sustainable natural resource management, 
\ndisaster risk management, and for welfare improvements of communities 
\nand beneficiaries. It shows relevant factors for the successful implementation. 
\nThe report draws important lessons for local planning and the national 
\nframework, and suggests solutions to the fundamental gap between 
\nplanning and plan implementation, improved innovation diffusion and 
\nefficient processes, effective community participation, and public 
\naccountability.