Colonial Urban Planning and Social Control The City Beautiful Plan of Iloilo City

• Published in: Philippine sociological review Vol. 67; pp. 35 - 62
• Main Author: SALOMON, ELGIN GLENN R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philippine Sociological Society 01-01-2019
• ISSN: 0031-7810

Colonialism has shaped Philippine history and society for the past centuries, and one of its contributions is how we design our cities. Urban planning’s function does not only determine the use of space and design of the urban environment. Through colonial urban spaces, city design played an important role in the social order and “peaceful” relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. This article argues that the Proposed Development Plan of the City of Iloilo and Vicinity (The City Beautiful Plan of Iloilo) provided a comprehensive and ideal model on the everyday power relations and social control between Americans and Filipinos. Consequently, these forms of social control in urban spaces downplayed the religious aspects of Spanish colonialism and made it more rational, utilitarian, and civic oriented. Applying visual analysis (i.e., visual semiotics) and historical contextualization to the plan, this article analyzes Michel Foucault’s nature and dynamics of discourse, power, and knowledge through governmentality in colonial urban spaces. What made Iloilo different from the urbanization of other cities in the Philippines during the American colonial period was its market-driven urbanization. Simultaneously, the American colonizers, as well as local elites, utilized tactics such as the introduction of public health and reformation of prisoners and destitutes. These are used as tactics to eliminate what the Americans deemed undesirable elements of modern urban life, while shaping the ideals and bodies of the colonized individuals to become productive and civilized citizens of colonial society.