Long known for its aquaculture industry, Dagupan City is fast becoming the growth center of Region 1 and a future techno hub of Northern Luzon
Dagupan City, known for its milkfish industry, is aggressively exploring growth opportunities outside aquaculture. Its leaders have set their eyes on the booming Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry, a new frontier for which the city has been ranked among the Top 10 Next Wave Cities in the Philippines.
Left: Early conceptual sketch of the Dagupan Growth Center masterplan. The city government envisions a livable business district ideal for work and recreation.
The initiative makes sense amidst the competition among urban centers wanting a share of the IT-BPM economic pie. Talent is there but the infrastructure necessary to support the direction needs to catch up. To this end, the Dagupan City government developed a conceptual master plan for two clusters of riverfront properties, totaling 76 hectares, earmarked for the Dagupan City Growth Center.
The first cluster will house Dagupan City’s Central Business District and government center while the second its Entertainment and Recreation District. The clusters, 3.5 kilometers apart, are connected by J. De Venecia Extension and will feature a continuous boardwalk spanning the length of the riverside.
Upper Right: Dagupan Hotel and Resort will cater to tourists and businessmen visiting the city. Lower Right: BPO offices will cater to multinational business process outsourcing companies looking to expand their operations in the Philippines and tap into the local talent pool.
The Dagupan City Growth Center is still in the early stages of development. Once completed, the city government hopes it will join the ranks of other IT hubs like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Bacolod but without the high cost of real estate, taxes, and utilities, and the congestion and pollution associated with many business districts that grew organically.
"City officials of Dagupan have set their eyes on the booming Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry, a new frontier for which the city has been ranked among the Top 10 Next Wave Cities in the Philippines."
Upper Left: Commercial and retail centers will form part of the Dagupan Growth Center. Lower Left: Public parks and landscaped plazas will serve as breathing spaces of Dagupan City's emerging central business district.
