UC Architecture students joined hands with members of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) in a participatory planning and design workshop aimed at reimagining and improving community spaces across several barangays in Baguio City. The initiative focused on developing design solutions that respond directly to the needs identified by KALIPI members, particularly women seeking spaces for livelihood, recreation, and social connection.
The workshop was conducted simultaneously in seven barangays- Pinget, Dizon (Manzanilla), Palma Urbano, Irisan, Gibraltar, Guisad Surong, and Engineer’s Hill.
Facilitators from TAO-Pilipinas and mentors from UC, along with professional guidance from members of United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Summer Capital, UAP Baguio, UAP Cordillera, and UAP Benguet Chapters, guided the student teams throughout the process. Mentors from the National Committee on Architecture and the Allied Arts (NCAAA) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) also joined the discussions online on September 20, providing multidisciplinary advice from architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and environmental planners.
During the co-creation sessions, students and community members worked together to conceptualize spaces that reflect the daily aspirations of KALIPI women- spaces to showcase livelihood products, gather for meetings, connect with nature, and create safe and inclusive environments for children, adults, and the elderly. Despite challenges such as limited site areas and resources, both students and participants showed enthusiasm and collaboration throughout the process.
The seven conceptual designs were presented to an audience of over 300 people during the PAAAF 2025 Grand Festival Day on September 26. Three winning groups were recognized:
Palma Urbano Design Group (1st Place)
Irisan Design Group (2nd Place)
Gibraltar Design Group (3rd Place).
The event was filled with joy and pride as KALIPI leaders posed alongside the student design teams, proud of their co-created design boards that captured their shared vision for better community spaces.
This initiative represents a growing connection between design professionals, the academe, and community organizations, showing how participatory design can empower communities- particularly women- to become active contributors in shaping safer, greener, and more inclusive neighborhoods.
As one of the largest women’s organizations in the country, KALIPI continues to promote livelihood and empowerment programs for women in 91 of Baguio’s 128 barangays. Through collaborations like this, the organization and UC reaffirm their shared goal: to transform community spaces into environments that support social equity, sustainability, and collective growth.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), this participatory planning and design initiative strongly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing students with experiential and community-based learning opportunities that apply academic knowledge to real-world contexts. It advances SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) to actively participate in shaping inclusive and responsive community spaces. The project contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the development of creative and resource-efficient design solutions for small-scale community infrastructure. It aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting safe, accessible, and sustainable environments that reflect local needs. Lastly, it upholds SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by bringing together the University of the Cordilleras, TAO-Pilipinas, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) chapters, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in a collaborative effort toward community resilience and inclusive urban development.
