By Amber Garma

Editor’s Note: Amber is currently the Urban Mobility Campaigns Officer under ICSC’s Urban Development Team.

When I moved to Metro Manila at the age of 16 to study, I felt like any other probinsyana would – overwhelmed, lost, and unsure about whether I could ever call it ‘home’. But it was public transportation that made all of those fears fade away:With every train, jeepney, and bus ride I took to an unexplored area, a new restaurant, or a fun hangout with a friend, the beauty of the city unfolded before me. A decade later, not only do I feel at home in Metro Manila, but I am still constantly excited about every new adventure it has to offer.

Because of my love for public transportation and urban life, I felt very fortunate to have joined ICSC’s Urban Development Team just in time for #MoveTogether: A Regional Exchange and Workshop on Sustainable Urban Mobility and Placemaking in Southeast Asia. The event, which took place from May 21-23 in Pasig City, was convened under the Clean Mobility Collective Southeast Asia, co-convened with the International Climate Initiative’s (IKI) Community Gathering, and in partnership with the Local Government of Antipolo City and Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development (TRANSCEND).

The three-day event brought together representatives of several Southeast Asian Cities for a unique opportunity to learn from one another, deepen regional collaboration, and strengthen a growing network of mobility champions. Among the cities present were winners of the Southeast Asia Mobility Awards (SEAMA), which was conducted for the first time last year. After being awarded for making promising strides in sustainable urban mobility, the #MoveTogether event aimed to move from recognition to conversation, and potentially, to collaboration!

On the first day, six of the cities awarded by SEAMA shared highlights of their city’s sustainable transport projects. As a frequent commuter, I often feel frustrated by the clear gaps in my city’s transport infrastructure, but seeing cities pour their efforts into piloting new bus routes, improving route connectivity, and promoting the inclusivity of marginalized sectors, made me realize that pockets of hope can be found everywhere.

Day 1 was also made exciting by the launch of the Philippine Chapter of Women on the Move: Transforming Transport in Asia, a regional network in Asia connecting women working across the mobility sector. Passionate and inspiring advocates from the Philippines shared their experiences with working in mobility as women. The launch concluded with a Jane’s Walk around the Ortigas CBD, where participants were able to place themselves in the shoes of an average Filipino pedestrian. The inclusion of the Women on the Move launch and Jane’s Walk in #MoveTogether further emphasized the importance of inclusivity and empathy in how we approach urban mobility.

I was assigned to be one of the hosts of the event – a role that I am very familiar with. One of my favorite parts of hosting is being able to stand on stage and have a ‘birds’ eye view’ of the event. Whether it was during scheduled group sharing or break times, the function room was abuzz with laughter, lively introductions, and spirited conversations among participants.

During one snack break, I observed a city planner from the city of Cagayan de Oro talking to the founder of a mobility NGO from Thailand. It seemed they both realized that even if their cities are oceans away, the problems they experience are quite similar, and the solutions might be the same, too.

These kinds of exchanges embody the true essence and purpose of #MoveTogether. It reminded me of how Southeast Asians are natural storytellers––and what better way to transmit best practices and technical know-how than through stories and organic conversations?

True enough, Day 2 was all about storytelling: Partner organizations from Clean Mobility Collective Southeast Asia shared stories of the placemaking efforts they have launched in their respective cities. Listening to the stories of these advocates transformed my understanding of placemaking – from being a technical, urban planning concept to being a revolutionary act. Their experiences were testaments to bravery and passion, from singlehandedly changing a street’s layout in the middle of the night, or transforming an idle space with bright street art. But they were also marked with failures and disappointments – when those same transformed streets get shut down overnight, or when cars slowly creep back onto painted streets. Ultimately, their stories reminded me of how ordinary people still have the power to spark change in their cities, no matter how deeply rooted its problems may seem.

After the storytelling sessions, the participants headed to Antipolo City for a field visit, where we received a warm welcome from the LGU of Antipolo Cities, complete with a marching band and safety vests! The participants were divided to observe two sites – the first, a series of connected streets, and the second, a school zone. The empathy and concern that participants felt for the respective issues of each site was evident in how they curiously asked questions and engaged city representatives. Despite being under the sun in the middle of the street, both parties took the time to really understand the situation in preparation for their design workshop. After the different groups finished creating their proposed redesigns, these were presented to the Vice Mayor of Antipolo City. This exchange between a city official and seasoned city planners, designers, and advocates from across Southeast Asia was one of many examples of the kind of conversations #MoveTogether was able to spark.

By Day 3, participants were given a chance to work on pitches for a placemaking initiative in their cities, which they had started preparing beforehand. Each city was assigned a speaker from the placemaking session, who would serve as a mentor and provide feedback for their pitch. Following this, the cities then presented their final pitches to a panel of judges, who would select the recipient of a USD1,000 cash prize to kickstart their initiative. Seeing the cities enthusiastically present their unique ideas showed that the cash prize was just a bonus. Ultimately, #MoveTogether provided a space for cities to rally support around their ideas. The feedback from mentors gave them confidence that their initiatives were promising, and they will carry this confidence back home.

Three days might feel like a short time, but I can guarantee it is enough for people to leave as more than strangers – as like-minded individuals, as potential allies, and perhaps even as friends. For me, it was enough time to realize that I am right where I need to be.

I was surrounded by experienced urban planners, expert policymakers, seasoned campaigners, and skilled researchers – all of which I am not. But all of their journeys started out with a dream of better, more breathable, and more livable cities, along with the passion to help turn this dream into a reality. From Pasig and Iloilo to Surabaya and Kuala Lumpur, there are people with real love for the bustling cities they call home. And together, we can move towards a more sustainable urban future.

Photos by Salie Agustin/ICSC