An Indigenous community in the Philippines is playing a central role in shaping housing, education and urban planning, demonstrating how community-led development can create more inclusive and culturally responsive cities. Community participation has helped bring Indigenous perspectives into housing and urban development, ensuring that projects better reflect local needs, traditions and cultural identity. The experience also demonstrates how Indigenous knowledge can contribute to wider urban planning decisions. Community knowledge about land, natural resources, local risks and traditional practices can help inform more sustainable approaches to housing and city development. Strengthening community participation can help ensure that development reaches people who are often underrepresented in formal planning processes.