San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has released a conceptual master plan for its massive, green-designed, and future-ready aerocity development in Bulacan province, envisioned as the “pace-setter” and model for green urbanism in the country.
The project will complement SMC’s P740-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project.
Ramon Ang, SMC president and chief executive officer, said the designs, prepared by top architecture firm Palafox Associates, reflect the vision of a modern Philippine city that provides built-in solutions to various socio-economic, environmental, and climate issues, and correct the mistakes seen in many urban developments of Metro Manila.
SMC tapped the firm, headed by the country’s top urban planner and green architect, Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., to masterplan the airport-driven city concept.
Ang said the Aerocity development addresses many of the problems experienced in Metro Manila today. It is designed, and will be built, with sustainability in mind. It will be properly zoned, with areas dedicated to agriculture and food production, logistics, health and wellness, aeronautics, finance, science and technology, commerce, residences, education, tourism, entertainment, recreation, and government among others.
It will utilize renewable energy, and will accommodate both traditional and alternative modes of transportation, as well as promote active and healthier lifestyles, he added.
The airport city design will adopt green architectural and green urbanism guidelines over and above the country’s building and zoning codes, and follow structural codes of other countries similarly situated in earthquake zones like the Philippines.
The Aerocity project will have ample open spaces and utilize the latest in digital infrastructure.
It will also feature easily accessible public transport systems, including mass transit systems, bicycle highways, as well as a waterfront area with landscaped walkways and promenades.
SMC’s 2,500-hectare NMIA project will initially feature four parallel runways, a world class terminal, and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network that includes expressways and railways.
Palafox has advocated and implemented some 1,700 projects that integrate the best practices in green, sustainable, and disaster-resilient architecture in about 45 countries worldwide.
Palafox earlier said the country needs 100 new cities by the year 2050 and he agreed to take on the Bulacan Aerocity development to present it as a model and pacesetter for future green and sustainable cities.
Prior to actual development, the company has committed to restore and rehabilitate the existing mangrove forest cover at the Bulakan coastal areas by planting some 190,000 mangroves, develop and enhance natural habitats of marine and bird species, and clean the rivers surrounding the airport project to help mitigate perennial flooding in the province.
