Adaptive Governance Research
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Adaptive Governance Research

Land Use Governance and Smart City Policy Frameworks for Sustainable Urban Development in the Philippines

Carlo Antonio Dela Cruz (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City)
Francesca Isabel Bautista (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City)
Daniel Joseph Villanueva (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Feb 2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the influence of land use governance and smart city policy frameworks on sustainable urban development in the Philippines and evaluates their relative contributions to promoting resilient and inclusive urban growth. Subjects and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed involving 241 stakeholders engaged in urban planning and governance, including local government officials, urban planners, environmental officers, academics, and community representatives. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale and analyzed through descriptive statistics, validity and reliability testing, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The findings indicate that both land use governance and smart city policy frameworks significantly and positively influence sustainable urban development. The regression model explained 65.0% of the variance in sustainable urban development (R² = 0.650), with land use governance demonstrating a stronger effect (β = 0.486, p < 0.001) than smart city policy frameworks (β = 0.382, p < 0.001). These results suggest that effective governance, characterized by institutional coordination, regulatory implementation, and stakeholder participation, provides the institutional foundation for sustainable urban development, while smart city policies enhance governance through digital innovation and data-driven decision-making. Conclusions: Sustainable urban development in the Philippines is best achieved by integrating adaptive land use governance with smart city policy implementation. Strengthening Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs), enhancing Local Government Unit capacity, expanding Geographic Information Systems (GIS), promoting open spatial data, and adopting smart zoning strategies can support more resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban governance.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

AGR

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Adaptive Governance Research is a contemporary approach to decision-making that acknowledges the inherent complexity and uncertainty of social, environmental, and socio-ecological systems. It emphasizes the need for flexible, collaborative, and learning-oriented processes to effectively address ...