ABOUT US
Our Story
The story of RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc. began in 1994 (as RURBAN Planners Inc.) as the brainchild of Dr. Carmelita Rosario Eva U. Liwag, EnP, with a simple but powerful premise: that the best development plans must be adapted to local realities, while rigorously backed by scientific data. We saw a clear need for planning that moved beyond theoretical assumptions to deliver actionable, real-world strategy.
Our Story
The story of RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc. began in 1994 (as RURBAN Planners Inc.) as the brainchild of Dr. Carmelita Rosario Eva U. Liwag, EnP, with a simple but powerful premise: that the best development plans must be adapted to local realities, while rigorously backed by scientific data. We saw a clear need for planning that moved beyond theoretical assumptions to deliver actionable, real-world strategy.
500+
30
Clients
Years of
experience
500+
30
Clients
Years of
experience
Our Core Planning Philosophy
High quality of life is a fundamental human right.
Natural and built environments should coexist.
Resource use should be efficient but sustainable.
Proactive planning is always better than reactive planning.
All planning methods should be systematic, scientific, and strategic.
Any planning process is compromised if it is not inclusive and participatory.
Our Core Planning Philosophy
High quality of life is a fundamental human right.
Natural and built environments should coexist.
Resource use should be efficient but sustainable.
Proactive planning is always better than reactive planning.
All planning methods should be systematic, scientific, and strategic.
Any planning process is compromised if it is not inclusive and participatory.
Our Founder
Dr. Carmelita R. E. U. Liwag is a licensed Environmental Planner with over 40 years of experience in urban and regional development.
As a Project Director, Team Leader, and Technical Consultant on numerous projects, she delivers high-level planning solutions for government and private organizations. Her core technical expertise includes Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Master Development Planning, among other areas of strategic planning.
Dr. Liwag co-authored the CLUPs for key economic cities including Pasig, Makati, and Taguig, and provided high-level planning for regions and provinces such as Metropolitan Manila, Aurora, and Camarines Norte.
Her expertise also spans the full spectrum of private development models, from high-volume vertical projects (DMCI and SMDC) to premier master-planned communities (Rockwell and Alphaland). She has prepared the EIA of at least 360 private developments across the country, including major ventures such as The Farm at San Benito and the Greenbelt Project in Ayala, ensuring they all adhere to sustainability best practices.
Dr. Liwag holds a Ph.D. in Spatial Planning from Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany, and a Master of Regional and Resource Planning from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She also holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from the University of the Philippines.
Affiliated with the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) since 1981, Dr. Liwag served as an Associate Professor and is currently a Professorial Lecturer in the institution.
Our Founder
Dr. Carmelita R. E. U. Liwag is a licensed Environmental Planner with over 40 years of experience in urban and regional development.
As a Project Director, Team Leader, and Technical Consultant on numerous projects, she delivers high-level planning solutions for government and private organizations. Her core technical expertise includes Comprehensive Land Use Planning (CLUP), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and Master Development Planning, among other areas of strategic planning.
Dr. Liwag co-authored the CLUPs for key economic cities including Pasig, Makati, and Taguig, and provided high-level planning for regions and provinces such as Metropolitan Manila, Aurora, and Camarines Norte.
Her expertise also spans the full spectrum of private development models, from high-volume vertical projects (DMCI and SMDC) to premier master-planned communities (Rockwell and Alphaland). She has prepared the EIA of at least 360 private developments across the country, including major ventures such as The Farm at San Benito and the Greenbelt Project in Ayala, ensuring they all adhere to sustainability best practices.
Dr. Liwag holds a Ph.D. in Spatial Planning from Technische Universität Dortmund, Germany, and a Master of Regional and Resource Planning from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She also holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from the University of the Philippines.
Affiliated with the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) since 1981, Dr. Liwag served as an Associate Professor and is currently a Professorial Lecturer in the institution.
Our People
The true strength of RURBAN is our people — a diverse collective of the country's finest researchers and planners. We take immense pride that every competent project team member has sharpened their expertise through post-graduate education at the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP SURP) — the nation's premiere institution for honing truly transformative development planners.
Our People
The true strength of RURBAN is our people — a diverse collective of the country's finest researchers and planners. We take immense pride that every competent project team member has sharpened their expertise through post-graduate education at the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning (UP SURP) — the nation's premiere institution for honing truly transformative development planners.
Corporate Registration & Compliance
To assure our clients of our adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards, RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc. holds current and valid registration with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), affirming our legal authority to practice environmental planning in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 10587.
Corporate Registration & Compliance
To assure our clients of our adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards, RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc. holds current and valid registration with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), affirming our legal authority to practice environmental planning in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 10587.
Our Core Planning Philosophy
We believe a high quality of life is a fundamental human right, requiring the harmonious coexistence of the natural and built environments.
High Quality of Life
Inclusive Process
We hold that any planning process is compromised if it is not inclusive and participatory, ensuring solutions are valid and embraced by the community.
Sustainable Resource Management
Resource use must be not only efficient but fundamentally sustainable and guided by long-term planning.
Methodological Rigor
All planning methods must be systematic, scientific, and strategic to ensure reliable and impactful results.
Proactive Strategy
We prioritize proactive planning that anticipates future challenges, recognizing that foresight is always superior to reactive measures.
Corporate Registration & Compliance
To assure our clients of our adherence to the highest professional and ethical standards, RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc. holds current and valid registration with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), affirming our legal authority to practice environmental planning in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 10587.
© 2025 RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc.
© 2025 RURBAN Strategic Development Planners Inc.