Quezon City, a Generation Restoration pilot city, implemented a project to advance nature-based solutions throughout Quezon City, while laying the foundation for restoration work at the Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility. This case study was compiled based on information provided by Quezon City about the pilot project.

About the city

Quezon City has an estimated population of over three million people. It has expanded rapidly over recent decades and is now part of the greater Manila Metropolitan area, which is home to approximately 15 million people. Quezon City is located near the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, northeast of Manila on the Guadalupe Plateau, and is the largest municipality in the Philippines in terms of both land area and population. It has a tropical, monsoon climate with distinct dry and rainy seasons, and generally high temperatures year-round. Quezon City is known for its culture and entertainment industry, in addition to its professional and service industries. 

Local challenges

Quezon City’s environmental challenges include air and water pollution, inadequate waste management, and urban encroachment into natural areas. The combination of an increase in paved areas and waste issues, coupled with an increase in intense precipitation, has led to greater incidence of flooding, which results in economic damages, disruption to business and daily routines, and can lead to the displacement of residents. Longer and more intense heat waves and drought also pose challenges for Quezon City. These challenges are exacerbated by poverty, land tenure issues, and a rapidly growing population, especially in more physically vulnerable areas.

Action through Generation Restoration

The Generation Restoration pilot project in Quezon City aimed to enhance Quezon City’s readiness and capacity to plan, implement, and monitor nature-based solutions (NbS) for biodiversity enhancement and climate resilience, and facilitate replication across cities in the Philippines.

The project began by developing a baseline assessment report on the current state of the city’s biodiversity and green and blue spaces. The project team reviewed historic and current published literature on biodiversity and ecosystems in Quezon City. The team also conducted a GIS mapping of green and blue spaces and corridors throughout Quezon City’s districts, including an analysis of changes in green space between 2015 and 2025, and the distance between households and parks throughout the city. From this, the team developed a Quezon City Biodiversity Index and Biodiversity Management Profile, based on various indicators including urban biodiversity, ecosystem services, and governance and management of biodiversity, which can be used to guide Quezon City’s planning and management of nature-based solutions and restoration projects throughout the city. 

A strategic planning workshop was then convened with key project stakeholders, including government representatives, community members, and academic institutions. Through participatory discussions, participants collectively articulated a vision and mission for Quezon City to guide the city’s actions toward urban restoration and ecological connectivity. The workshop also garnered inputs and recommendations that helped shape the Quezon City Urban Biodiversity Strategic Plan, and helped identify potential areas for an ecosystem restoration demonstration site in Quezon City. 

To develop a Biodiversity and Urban Ecosystem Restoration Masterplan, the project then conducted a review of the relevant institutional frameworks, policies, and plans regarding biodiversity and nature management in Quezon City. This policy review assessed opportunities for institutionalizing enabling policies and mechanisms for ecosystem protection and restoration. From these activities, the project developed a draft Biodiversity and Urban Ecosystem Restoration Masterplan, which incorporates the Quezon City Urban Biodiversity Strategic Plan as its policy and governance component.

The project created a Training Needs Assessment (TNA), which assessed the current capacity levels and needs of key city stakeholders regarding urban restoration, biodiversity management, and nature-based solutions. The TNA was informed by the results of the strategic planning workshop, the policy review process, and stakeholder interviews.  Findings highlighted the need to strengthen understanding of biodiversity by emphasizing its direct link to ecosystem services. Guided by these insights, the project team developed a set of customized training modules designed for three primary target audiences: students, communities, and city government employees. 

One major component of the pilot project was the identification of a pilot site for restoration activities. The selected site, Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility (PCDF), was a formerly open dumpsite in Quezon City that is strategically located in between two biodiversity cores: the Sierra Madre mountain range and the La Mesa Watershed. The PCDF also offers unique potential as an ecological corridor, linking these natural systems to Quezon City’s urban green spaces. Thus, the PCDF was chosen to design and test nature-based solutions aimed at land rehabilitation, enhancement of ecosystem services, and expansion of urban green corridors.

To establish a scientific baseline at the PCDF, the project team conducted various assessments, including site profiling, biodiversity, and ecosystem services assessments. These were complemented with local stakeholder consultations with members of the PCDF community. The results from a rapid biodiversity assessment showed 262 flora and fauna identified at the site, with 46% categorized as native species and about 10% endemic species. These findings underscore the area’s ecological significance and potential for restoration.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held, that included a brief orientation for the members of the PCDF community on the project, and a ceremonial planting of native flora. The ceremonial planting marked the start of habitat rehabilitation at the PCDF through phytoremediation (the use of plants for pollution remediation), which will be followed by other nature-based solutions such as the management of domesticated animals and invasive species, which account for around 7% of the PCDF’s biodiversity. Furthermore, the project developed monitoring and evaluation protocols for the demonstration site, including the drafting of a site management and sustainability plan, and conducting ongoing monitoring. 

Main outcomes

The project strengthened Quezon City’s scientific and institutional foundation for urban biodiversity management, by producing a comprehensive baseline assessment aligned with the City Biodiversity Index (CBI), detailed green-blue space maps, and the formulation of a strategic framework to guide implementation. These outputs provided the city with an inventory of Quezon City’s remaining strategic green spaces and entry points to transform the city’s landscapes as ecological corridors, while advancing evidence-based understanding of ecological assets, pressures, and restoration opportunities.

Through policy analysis, capacity assessments, and participatory planning, the project developed a draft Biodiversity and Urban Ecosystem Restoration Masterplan, a comprehensive roadmap for conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of urban ecosystems. The Training Needs Assessment and tailored training modules further enhanced the city’s readiness by identifying capacity gaps and preparing materials that will support future learning programs for students, communities, and government staff.

Finally, the identification and establishment of a restoration pilot site at the Payatas Controlled Disposal Facility marked a key practical outcome. Baseline ecological surveys documented over 262 species, including substantial native and endemic biodiversity, highlighting the site’s restoration potential. The groundbreaking and initial community orientation launched on-the-ground restoration efforts, supported by newly developed monitoring and evaluation protocols that will guide long-term site management, sustainability, and future scaling of nature-based solutions across the city.

Pilot City

City Map

Partners

Ecosystem Types

Forests, Freshwaters, Mountains and Urban areas

Project Budget

$97,690 USD

Project Duration

November 2023 - September 2025

Climate, Biodiversity, and Pollution Risks Addressed

  • Extreme temperatures
  • Droughts
  • Extreme precipitation / flooding
  • Habitat destruction
  • Species loss / extinction
  • Ecosystem degradation
  • Air pollution
  • Water pollution
  • Waste mismanagement

Restoration Techniques Applied

  • Ecological connectivity
  • Invasive species control
  • Native species
  • Pollution control
  • Waste management

Beyond Restoration

Quezon City’s policy foundation prioritizes climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the expansion of green and blue networks. Central to this is the Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan (2021–2050), which centers nature-based solutions within climate adaptation, particularly through the promotion of green corridors, climate regulation through trees, increased permeable surfaces, and water-regulating ecosystems. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (2011–2030) designates Environmental Protection Areas and articulates a “Green Lung Network”, recognizing ecological connectivity as essential for mitigating flood, heat, and pollution risks. Supporting this broader governance landscape are the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, the City Development Council, and the Environmental Policy Management Council, which provide coordination across agencies and strengthen community participation.

Quezon City has implemented various nature-based projects, including the Urban Greening Plan, the One in a Million Trees campaign, GORA green access lanes, and extensive rainwater harvesting initiatives, all of which reinforce green-blue networks throughout the city. Additional efforts such as the Joy of Urban Farming (600+ plots with 16,000 farmers) and the Sky Garden green roof showcase how green infrastructure is integrated into both community-led and private-sector initiatives. Meanwhile, flagship spaces like La Mesa Watershed, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, and the city’s 280+ parks promote biodiversity conservation at scale.