Makati City, the financial hub of the Philippines today, has risen from humble beginnings, from what used to be the home of an old Manila airport into what is recognized today as the country’s most thriving, dynamic, and unrivaled capital for business, commerce, and leisure.
As the prime example of a highly urban city, Makati has constantly supported and promoted environment friendly and energy-efficient initiatives, which eventually led to the city being hailed as Southeast Asia’s First Energy-Efficient City by international environmental organization Greenpeace for its programs targeted at reducing its carbon footprint.
It has been one of the pioneering cities that presented its detailed sustainability masterplan during the recent 1st National Convergence for Climate Sustainable Communities.
Makati City has truly taken to heart its commitment to environmentally sustainable programs through its citywide ordinances and projects, such as the use of e-Jeepneys and other eco-efficient buildings and structures. Through these initiatives and more, the city hopes to become the benchmark for a highly urban city that has optimized scare resources to achieve eco-sustainability.
“The use of eJeepneys as primary mode of transport will save the national government at least R10 billion annually,” said Red Constantino, executive director of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC). “Sustainability is important, but what is more significant is sustainable economic development. Revenues can come from different areas, such as in battery charging, fleet operations, and many more.”
“Ayala Land, as Makati City’s partner in its eco-efficient initiative, has always espoused the cause of the environment through intelligently masterplanned developments that adhere to global standards of energy efficiency and sustainable living,” said Erick Calupe, Associate Director for Residential Startup Properties and Sustainability Officer of the Ayala Property Management Corporation.
Ayala Land underscores its commitment to the Makati City government initiative by the local government as it embarks on a R20-billion redevelopment project in Makati City. This will be translated to various projects aimed at improving the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) landscape through projects like a streamlined mass transport system, pedestrian-friendly infrastructures, and efficient lighting and district cooling system to be utilized in Glorietta and Greenbelt within the Ayala Center, respectively.
“In Makati, for example, business and retail establishments, as well as residences, hospitals, and schools, are located close to each other so that people are encouraged to walk around the city and reduce their carbon emissions through lessening their car usage,” said Calupe.
Combating the effects of climate change takes more than just a commitment to energy efficiency. For the city of Makati, it’s all about leading a more aggressive movement and having teamwork with key stakeholders from various sectors, such as Ayala Land.
