42nd PICE National Convention, 22-24 Nov 2016, Davao City

This annual event sponsored by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Inc. will be held on 17-19 November at SMX Davao Convention Center, Davao City. One of the highlights of the convention is the special parallel sessions for academe where faculty members from the different universities and colleges are invited to present their technical papers for oral presentation on any of the following areas: project management, construction engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, water engineering, and environmental engineering. For abstract submission and registration details, you may contact the Research and Development Committee at piceoperations@gmail.com or visit its website: www.pice.org.ph.

My MPhil Thesis available at Philippine eLib

The Philippine eLib is an online database of digitized materials such as thesis and dissertation and other information and resources in collaboration with the National Library of the Philippines (NLP), University of the Philippines (UP), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

My first international journal publication available online

Publication for Vol-05 Iss-03, Mar-2016, S.No.92: 

A THREE-LEVEL DISPOSAL SITE SELECTION CRITERIA SYSTEM FOR TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Reynaldo Perez-Ramos

Abstract: One of the perennial problems in managing toxic and hazardous wastes (THWs) generated from industrial activities is the final storage and disposal area for such kind of wastes.  Due to inadequate land surface disposal facility (LSDF) in the country, waste generators are continually practicing the WHIFFY (we-hide-it-freely-for years) approach; consequently becoming a threat to human health and the environment.

Proper site selection for land surface disposal facility requires a consultative process, taking into consideration the various factors that affect the overall siting process towards an effective identification of land to be developed into acceptable and environmentally-safe land surface disposal structures.

This paper attempts to establish a three-level site selection system through a participatory approach; and this is validated using survey questionnaire and secondary data. The establishment of a three-level site selection system facilitates the initial disposal siting process which leads to the development of  technically, socially, environmentally, and politically acceptable disposal facilities for THWs in the Philippines. This paper also recommends basic guidelines to further support the site selection process with the application of computer-based spatial decision support systems such as Geographic Information System (GIS) as part of the land suitability assessment analysis.

Key words: toxic and hazardous wastes, disposal siting, land surface facility, site selection, geographic information system 

19th River Symposium in India - Sept 2016

The event will cover the following topics: Managing large river basins for shared benefit • The global water sustainability agenda • Community engagement, gender, education and leadership • The water-energy-food nexus • Environmental flows • Integrated river basin management • Water security, climate change and natural disasters • River restoration • Water quality and public health • Urban rivers and future water cities • Biodiversity conservation • Policy, governance and institutions • Business and industry water innovation • Innovation, technology and rivers.

31 May 2016 - last day of submission for Abstract

British Library EThOS: Analysis of mixed-use schemes in regeneration areas

British Library EThOS: Analysis of mixed-use schemes in regeneration areas
ABSTRACT: Mixed-use development is not a new phenomenon in urban planning and real estate management. This development is currently promoted to revitalise inner towns and cities particularly utilising unproductive urban spaces being referred to as 'brownfield' and 'greyfield' (underutilised) land for social, economic and environmental benefits. Mixed-use development is also challenging various players (planners, policy makers, investors and developers) in terms of the diverse of uses, density of the scheme, inclusion of high quality urban form and design, and the delivery of optimum utilisation of the development scheme in terms of highest and best use. This research explores the underlying factors in the promotion of mixed-use schemes (MUS) in response to the emerging challenges of urban regeneration agenda towards achieving sustainable communities. The study presents the findings from the case studies carried out in the UK and the Republic of Ireland using a set of variables identified from the literature towards establishing success indicators that have a strong contribution to the overall occupancy level of MUS against single-use or mono-use developments in the revitalisation of urban centres. Finally, the application of Multiple Regression Modelling proves that the component mix (number of uses), the balance of uses (space allocations), site condition and integration with the neighbouring uses which are essential elements in accomplishing the maximum potential for viability and success of mixed-use developments. Certainly, these findings offered invaluable inputs in carrying out further investigations of various mixed-use schemes to fully understand the determining qualitative and quantitative factors in the feasibility and performance for this type of development in regeneration areas. The results from the MRA also presents relevant judgments in assessing the optimal composition of the mix of uses which enhance the scheme promotion in regeneration areas which could leads to the potential optimising mixed-use and policy decision making.