Definition
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is the ratio of a building’s total floor area (gross floor area) to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built. In the Philippines, FAR is a crucial zoning parameter set by local government units (LGUs) in their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) to regulate building density, structural heights, and urban congestion in commercial districts. (Wikipedia, HLURB)
Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Floor area ratio |
| Wikidata | Q1420108 |
| DBpedia | Floor_area_ratio |
| ProductOntology | N/A |
| Wiktionary | ratio |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) | Building laws (Philippines) |
| MeSH | N/A |
| NCBI Taxonomy | N/A |
| AGROVOC | N/A |
| Google Scholar | Floor Area Ratio zoning building density Philippines gross floor area |
| ConceptNet | ratio |
| OpenCyc | N/A |
Also Known As
- FAR
- Floor Space Index (FSI)
- Plot Ratio
Examples and Analogies
- High-Density Zone: A 1,000-square-meter lot in Makati CBD with an allocated FAR of 16 allows a developer to construct a building with a maximum gross floor area of 16,000 square meters.
- Low-Density Zone: A 500-square-meter lot in a residential subdivision with a FAR of 1.5 restricts the builder to a total home size of 750 square meters.
Usage Scenarios
1. Developer Land Valuation
A developer calculates the maximum constructible gross floor area of a property before making a purchase offer, as the FAR directly dictates potential sales revenue.
2. Local Zoning Compliance
An architect submits building plans to the local building official to prove the design complies with the municipal zoning code’s FAR limits.
Strategies
- Leverage vertical green design credits or transfer of development rights (TDR) to increase allowable FAR in cities that permit density bonuses.
- Conduct structural feasibility studies to maximize building layout efficiency within the allowed FAR footprint.
Security and Safety Measures
- Do not exceed the designated FAR, as local building officials will reject the occupancy permit, leading to fines or structural alteration mandates.
- Verify local zoning ordinances directly, as FAR parameters can change during periodic CLUP revisions.
Historical Context
FAR regulations were popularized in Philippine cities to prevent the overcrowding of financial centers. The National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) works alongside local zoning codes to enforce these limits.
Challenges and Controversies
Infrastructure Strain
High FAR limits in areas with narrow roads and inadequate sewerage systems can lead to massive traffic jams and utility overloads.
Density Disputes
Developers frequently lobby local zoning boards for variances to increase FAR allocations, leading to conflicts with residential communities.
Related Topic
- Zoning
- Comprehensive Land Use Plan
- National Building Code (PD 1096) of the Philippines