In PA(ng)LABAS, a book that talks about the history of architecture of sinehan (cinema) in the Philippines, author and architect Gerard Lico wrote about how several of the great art deco cinemas built during the first half of the 20th century were either repurposed to shopping center, demolished, renovated or were left in the dark shadows under the newly-constructed elevated train tracks during the second half of the century.

"With the onset of urban sprawl, the original business districts – Escolta, Santa Cruz and Quiapo – declined. Movie-going activities lessened as Cubao and Makati became the new business centers. The glory of Manila's cinema lane faded to black. In Rizal Avenue alone, the once proud and magnificent cinema façade was concealed under the shadow of the LRT line." wrote Gerard Lico.

Photos from the book PA(ng)LABAS by Gerard Lico.

Today in the Philippines, under the elevated train tracks are two-way roads, sometimes an intersection, separated by large circular concrete columns that support the tracks from ground level. These columns are joined to each other by rectangular formed blocks with greenery on top. The columns are about 3-4 stories in height, making sure that even the big trucks can pass through the roads below.

Elevated train tracks in the Philippines. Source: Philstar.

However, in Japan, their elevated train tracks are a different story.

First, their elevated train tracks only reach about two stories in height. It may seem a problem in the PH context because our train tracks are high so as to make room for even large trucks to pass on. But the thing is, in Japan, elevated train tracks are placed on wide roads. The roads are wide enough that even if their train tracks take up space right in the middle, there is still enough room for other cars to pass through. Unlike in the Philippines, we place our train tracks elevated on a not-really-wide road hence we make our train tracks as high as possible to make room for the cars in the bottom.

As a result, in Japan, the train tracks do not overshadow the buildings within the vicinity. And because of its height too, under the train tracks, you can find stores. As aforementioned, their train tracks are about two stories in elevation, hence we get a nice big space underneath at ground level, enough for human height where the train tracks itself acts as the overhead plane for spaces below. Hence in Japan, you can find co-working spaces, eateries, stores, vending machine outlets, and even dormitories under the elevated train tracks! Perfect use of 'wasted space' that connects people from both sides rather than supposedly 'dividing them.' Also, they made sure that the train tracks pass through neighborhoods that aren't necessarily the busy streets, and that makes it better as it gives life to these streets due to the opportunity it gives for the spaces underneath it.

Dormitories underneath the train tracks. Photo: Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg

One of the problems of elevated train tracks and highways is that they can overshadow historical structures. The same thing is one of the big problems of PAREX (Pasig River Expressway).

I'm not saying that we should demolish elevated train tracks, those trains provide a lot of relief to people who commute every day. But my point here is that elevated train tracks can also be created even without overshadowing buildings within its vicinity and can also be a way of connecting people from both sides and creating spaces that further enrich communities by giving some sort of wonder and adventure from doing an activity that is located in one of the out-of-the-usual-places that you can find yourself spending time in: under the elevated train tracks.

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