Unlocking the potential of reclaimed lands

In an era where climate change and urbanisation are reshaping how cities grow, land reclamation has become a strategic response to land scarcity, particularly in coastal nations like the Philippines. Recognising the need for innovative and sustainable approaches in this domain, IHS hosted a one week executive course titled "Unlocking the Potential of Reclaimed Lands: Land Management Approaches for Sustainable Development".

Specially designed for the Board of Governors and senior officials of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), the course brought together top decision-makers responsible for steering the future of land reclamation in the Philippines. It aimed to equip them with the tools and insights needed to align reclamation efforts with long-term sustainability goals and international best practices.

"Land is a key, scarce, and highly sought after resource that plays a central role in achieving sustainable development. When undertaken responsibly and inclusively, land reclamation offers cities an opportunity to generate value that enables the delivery social, environmental, and economic benefits across all socio-economic groups." - shares Ore Fika, course manager.

Learning from global practices, grounded in local relevance

A central feature of the programme was its grounding in sustainable land management—an integrated approach that balances development with ecological preservation, climate resilience, and social equity. Over the week, the PRA delegation engaged in a dynamic mix of lectures, group work, participatory discussions, and field visits.

Highlights included excursions to Almere City and IJburg in Amsterdam, offering firsthand insight into how the Netherlands—a global leader in land reclamation—has transformed reclaimed areas into livable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious urban districts.

Key thematic components explored during the course included:

Land value capture instruments to finance infrastructure, housing, and public services;
Nature-based solutions that use ecological processes to enhance urban resilience;
Governance and social inclusion in planning and managing reclaimed lands;
Circular economy principles to ensure sustainability in resource use.

“Nature-based solutions and circular economy are not just technical solutions. They represent a shift in mindset toward more climate-resilient, inclusive, and future-proof development."

Charmae Pyl Wissink-Nercua, course manager

From learning to action

The course was not only academic but action-oriented. In a final advisory group exercise, participants developed practical roadmaps tailored to the Philippine context, outlining priorities and implementation steps for applying the course learnings back home. These included strategies to enhance regulatory frameworks, promote inclusive development on reclaimed land, leverage innovative financing mechanisms and embed climate resilience into future projects.

Strong partnerships and shared commitment

The programme was facilitated by IHS staff members Charmae Pyl Wissink-Nercua, Ore Fika, and Kristine Abbie Arcena, with expert contributions from Michel Cossee and strong logistical support from the Professional Services team. IHS alumna Ynna Margarita Yalong-Gelomina, currently with the PRA, played a key role in initiating the partnership.

The course concluded with a celebratory closing ceremony attended by Minister Jarie Osias and representatives from the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands, who also hosted a welcome reception for the PRA delegation in The Hague.

"Exchanging knowledge and experiences is a genuine act of learning that fosters growth through collaboration. By learning from one another and co-creating solutions, we broaden our perspectives, which leads to better decision-making. Identifying areas for improvement, while also adapting to local contexts, transforms learning into an engaging journey.” - says Kristine Abbie Arcena, project manager, when asked about the collaboration.