National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF)

Published on March 4, 2023

The National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) is the development framework for urban and urbanizable areas aimed at achieving the objectives of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. It contains a set of policy statements, strategies, and implementation measures intended to guide the public and private sector efforts towards sustainable urban development and housing.

It is founded on the following key principles that are anchored on international and national commitments, government mandates, laws and regulations that are supportive to the objectives of sustainable consumption and production:

Urban Planning and Design – Strategies to address urban development issues such as ridge-to-reef planning approach, promotion of open spaces, water cycle consideration, promotion of mixed-use and compact development, integration of mobility and transport, and optimization of urban spaces;
Urban Infrastructure and Services – Strategies to support and promote innovative approaches and increase funding for the development of water and sanitation infrastructure, sustainable/renewable energy, drainage system, waste management, information and communications technology, and transportation infrastructure;
Urban Economy and Finance – Strategies to promote economic growth and development through connectivity, enhancement of competitiveness, strengthening of economic sectors, support of MSMEs, and promotion of green industries; and
Urban Governance – Strategies to harmonize, institutionalize, and operationalize legal frameworks, institutional mandates, and urban development policies, plans, and programs.

The NUDHF supports relevant priority actions of the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production (PAP4SCP), as follows:

Integrated Ecosystems Planning Approach (Ridge-to-Reef) – It calls for a comprehensive spatial assessment and analysis not just of the urban areas but also the forestlands, agricultural lands, coastal and marine, and other critical ecosystems. Land use regulations and zoning policies for the sustainable use of land and resources are identified and incorporated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of Local Government Units (LGUs) such as implementation of carrying capacity, allocation of areas for protection and sustainable production, and establishment of buffer zones and distance requirements for incompatible land uses, among others.
Inclusive Planning – The framework promotes social equality and spatial justice in development planning. Urban design and strategies should espouse social integration and diversity such as development of mixed income housing and culturally-sensitive housing design, application of transitoriented development, provision of basic services and facilities, and promotion of compact and mixeduse development where complementary activities could exist.
Climate and Disaster Risk Resilient Planning – Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (CCA-DRR) strategies are incorporated in the framework. Risk assessment is required in the planning process of the LGUs to ensure that the development plans are cognizant of the hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks of the population, ecosystem, and other elements at risk. Mitigation and adaptation strategies through programs and projects such as promotion of low-carbon and clean energy technologies and green jobs; resilient building design considerations; and land use and zoning regulations are identified in the plans.