A PROPOSED MIXED-USED WATERFRONT FISHING DISTRICT

A Study on Improving Economic Development through Coastal Development

The purpose of this study is to review existing literature regarding Michael Todaros
interpretation of improving economic development, which is achieving sustained rates of growth of
income per capita to enable a nation to expand its output at a rate faster than the growth rate of its
population, and the

application of its principles to the low-income people through coastal

development in Davao City. This extensive research on improving economic development will serve
as a solution on the rapid increase in population, alleviating poverty, and reducing environmental
degradation in Davao City by relocating the informal settlers to provide the ability to meet basic needs,
self-esteem, and the freedom to choose in the society.
Todaro (2011) states that real income is gained by achieving well-being, which means being
healthy, clothed, literate, having the ability to take part in the life of the community, mobile and having
the freedom of choice of what one wants. Well-being does not depend on the characteristics of the
material he/she has, but it is more on what the consumer has to do with it (e.g. a car has no value to
a person with low income in contrast to the other who is more wealthy). Therefore it depends on the
capability to function of a certain individual in which it can be expanded by their levels of happiness.
Studies have shown that majority of the people are happier when they are not unemployed, not
divorced, and have higher levels of trust in the society (Todaro & Smith, 2011).
Due to the rapid urbanization of the city, informal settlers who have low-income have
increased their numbers and have been living near coastal areas with fishing and selling foods at public
markets as their lifestyle. These informal settlements have been considered by the public as being
unacceptable and are separated from the community. The study examines the lifestyle of informal
settlers in order to know their capabilities, necessities, and their annual income through observation,
surveys and interviews. The results will then be analyzed for site selection and architectural translation
of solutions to the problem.
The proponent envisions a mixed-used waterfront fishing district that provides a dwelling for
the informal settlers, spaces for needs and amenities (public market and fishing port), public spaces
for tourism and interaction (waterfront and fishing port), and educational facilities in order to educate
the public on how to fish (school and research). The main goal of this study is to serve the proposal as
a source of economic output of the city by improving the well-being of the informal settlers, thus gain
real income per capita.

References
Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2011). Economic Development. Prentice Hall.