University Belt

The University Belt is the unofficial name of a de facto subdistrict in Manila, Philippines. It refers to the area where there is a high concentration or a cluster of colleges and universities in the city.[1]

Map of the original University Belt north of the Pasig River within Sampaloc, Quiapo, and San Miguel districts. Note that the southern end of Quezon Blvd. connects to Quezon Bridge, and the southern end of Legarda Street connects to P. Casal Street

Universities between the Pasig River and Padre Faura Street

The University Belt is commonly understood as the area, mainly, in San Miguel district. But technically it also includes nearby Sampaloc, Quiapo, and Santa Cruz. Generally, it includes the western end of España Boulevard, Nicanor B. Reyes Street (formerly Morayta Street), the eastern end of Recto Avenue (formerly Azcarraga Street), Legarda Street, Mendiola Street, and It has, the population around is about 368,440 students. Each of the colleges and universities found here are at a short walking distance of each other.

However, Manila has also other clusters of universities and colleges, such as the one in the long stretch of Taft Avenue from Ermita through Malate, although not as compact, and another one inside the walled city of Intramuros, although it does not have as many schools as the one in the San Miguel district.

Nevertheless, the three clusters are close enough together that many consider it as one huge University Belt. All are found within no more than four miles (six kilometers), in an irregular crescent string shape, across seven of the sixteen districts of Manila.