Insider Spotlight
Responding to that need, Mapúa University has revived its Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning program to train future planners capable of addressing challenges ranging from climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction to sustainable urban development.
The university said the program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to plan, manage, and protect cities, regions, and ecosystems as the Philippines faces increasing exposure to typhoons, flooding, earthquakes, and other hazards.
Mapúa cited the country's ranking at the top of the 2025 World Risk Index as evidence of the growing urgency for stronger planning and climate adaptation capabilities.
“The most pressing concern today is the convergence of climate risk and unplanned development—particularly in urban and coastal areas,” said Junar Tablan, dean of Mapúa University's School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and the Built Environment.
Why it matters
Environmental planning plays a central role in land-use management, disaster preparedness, infrastructure development, and environmental governance, helping communities balance growth with sustainability.
The four-year interdisciplinary program is designed to bridge sustainability concepts with practical implementation, preparing students to work on zoning, carrying-capacity assessments, resettlement planning, and policymaking.
“This is not purely about conservation or ‘glorified tree-hugging’ as some misinterpret,” Mapúa University environmental planning professor Dr. Edgar M. Chavez said.
“We write zoning ordinances, compute carrying capacities, design resettlement action plans, and defend budgets before local councils. I change students’ perspective on day one: I show them a photo of a poorly planned subdivision that was flooded, then ask, 'Who put houses on a waterway?' Not nature—bad planning. By the end of the term, students realize: environmental planners don’t just love the environment. They govern it.”
Hands-on approach
Students will be exposed to real-world planning challenges from their first year through site work, local data analysis, disaster risk assessments, and policy simulations, the university said in a release.
The program is supported by faculty members who serve as active consultants, researchers, and technical experts, giving students direct exposure to current planning and development issues.
Mapúa said the curriculum is designed to produce graduates who can balance economic development, community welfare, and ecological sustainability.
Career outlook
Demand for environmental planners continues to be supported by regulations such as the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and the Climate Change Act, which require environmental considerations in major development projects.
Chavez said entry-level municipal planners in the public sector start at around P35,000 to P45,000 monthly, while private consultants and Environmental Impact Assessment practitioners can earn between P60,000 and P120,000 monthly within three to five years after graduation.
“Environmental Planning is for students who want to make a tangible, long-term impact on society,” Tablan said.
“If you are passionate about sustainability and want your work to matter beyond theory, this program offers the tools to turn advocacy into action. It is a profession where your decisions shape communities, protect ecosystems, and build a more resilient future.” —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
