How would you rebuild Manila?

Alongside Warsaw, Stalingrad, and Nanjing, Manila was one of the most devastated cities during World War 2, with three centuries of Spanish and American development nearly destroyed by Japanese and US infighting.

The status of Metropolitan Manila today is one of horrible pollution and depressing congestion. As a Manila commuter myself, visiting other cities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo make me realize just how bad Manila's urban planning was.

What would be the best course of action after World War 2 to prevent the current status of Manila, and to bring it to an equal or greater status compared to similar Asian cities?
 
My knowledge of the post WWII P.I. is scanty, but I'll give this a try. First off, who pays for it? This determines to a great degree what you can do. The Japanese are broke, but reparations (did they pay any post war?) from them seem to be a good idea. If not them, then it really comes down to the US. Perhaps after the Japanese get on their feet again they can repay the US for the loan they give to the PI for rebuilding. Were it me, I'd lay out the plan on a large grid scale. With the city destroyed population displacement is a terrible problem, but let us assume we can find temporary dwellings for them, or help them to relocate to other areas temporarily. Put your infrastructure in, sewage and water, underground, with predetermined locations for access. Make these lines larger than projected growth, at least doubled, to allow for future growth. The streets should be VERY wide, this allows lines to be dug up later, but also gives an open, airy feel to the city. Light rail needs to be installed, it is just far more efficient and cost effective for a long term public transportation system. Plan for trees along these streets (native trees) as these will make the city cooler and more livable just by being there. You can deal with intersections in the streets one of two ways, either a raised platform for a traffic policeman, or via light. I'd initially go for the traffic cop, electric lights can come later, but this also gives you a built in redundancy in case typhoon damage kills the electricity. You can locate your Police stations and Fire Stations in a logical way, one per x number of blocks. Set the space aside, even if you don't build them right away. Have the space locked in as public property until you can build there. Put your public parks next to them, so that until you build you have a larger park. Public buildings should be as close as possible to the look of the traditional Spanish type. Name them after hero's from the war. I'd make this plan as large as you can, larger than you'd ever think you'd need. This way you can control development for the future, and make Manila the New Pearl of the Orient. Probably pie in the sky, but Manila has such a wonderful history, remaking it, man....
 
In addition to @Oldbill 's suggestion, I thought of extending Manila's post-war urban planning to the surrounding area aka the future metropolitan area (e.g. strict zoning, dedicated green areas, wide streets, more visible public transport), but the most important was to prevent the possible overcrowding of Manila (and surrounding area) by encouraging regional economic development based on the potential of the provinces in developing the country (not just agriculture, eh).

PS:
How about reviving Daniel Burnham's plan for Manila?
Manila_Burnham_Plan.jpg
 
The current status of Manila is lack of money to invest on herself.

Most the taxes that came from Manila had always been used for regional development. The problem was that provincial politicians misused the money since after ww2. Thats why whatever @ramones1986 did happen in otl or at least it was tried, but the provinces failed.

If you spent most of Singapores money from 1960s to present day to foreign aid instead of infrastructure/social service, Singapore will awfully look like Manila.

The cities you named that are ideal, all had most of their money used for their own cities, while Manila had to keep the whole Philippines funded even up today.
 
Ah jeez, now I have ANOTHER window open! LOL You guys got me interested in Burnham now, so I have to read about him. Pretty interesting so far! Thanks! This lead might even tie into some kind of framework for a Tl at some point.
 
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