Master planned developments: Living in safe, resilient, and sustainable communities

PHOTO: SMDC’s Charm Residences in Cainta

All member states of the United Nations (UN) have adopted Agenda 2030 – a manifesto to address inequality and to protect the planet. At the heart of the plan are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to overcome the world’s most pressing economic, social, environmental, and governance challenges.

SDG number 11 of Agenda 2030 is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Recognizing the vital contribution of the real estate sector in building a better future, SM Development Corporation (SMDC) continues to lead in the development of sustainable cities that house integrated communities across the country.

“At SMDC, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond simply ‘going green’,” said Jose Mari Banzon, SMDC President. 

With economic, environmental, and social pillars, SMDC integrates sustainability in its developments by providing residents with easy access to all their needs. From essential goods, livelihood, to transport, the leading real estate developer places these conveniences in secure environments that encourage healthy living and social connectedness, redefining urban living by placing these luxuries within reach of more people.

Sustainable Cities for an Improved Quality of Life

According to the UN, 5 billion people are projected to live in cities by 2030. Despite occupying only 3% of the earth’s land, cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. As cities are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural disasters due to higher concentrations of people, building urban resilience is crucial to avoid human, social, and even economic losses.

Designing sustainable urban communities can offset those effects of rapid urbanization. By choosing to act sustainably, cities where all citizens live a decent quality of life and become part of the area’s productive dynamics can be built – leading to shared prosperity and social stability without harming the environment. 

The push towards the creation of sustainable communities is evident throughout many SMDC properties. By placing the essentials close to one’s residence – from transport hubs, thoroughfare access, daily needs and more – SMDC builds towards more people living happy and healthy lives. 

Situated along the Mandaluyong stretch of EDSA, SMDC’s Light 2 Residences places a plethora of community needs within walking distance from home. This prime development has direct connection to the EDSA-Boni MRT 3 station, which provides convenience and ease of access with the rest of the Metro.

A resort-styled lifestyle is being offered by SMDC’s Shore Residences located within the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay.This in-city oasis provides amenities designed to promote work-life balance. It has enough open spaces where residents can have their alone time or comfortably interact with other members of the SMDC community.

Reducing the Adverse Impact of Natural Disasters 

As sustainable developments and climate resiliency go hand in hand, SMDC creates residential properties that address the challenges of climate change. Each project goes through comprehensive area studies and is built with pioneering technology that maximizes both a local supply chain and efficient project maintenance practices. 

SMDC developments employ the use of rainwater collection systems not only to clean common areas and to irrigate landscaped gardens, but also to reduce flood risks. SMDC Charm Residences in Cainta features a detention tank capable of storing around 100,000 liters of water. In the event of a severe storm, the tank stores water, preventing floods from reaching the communities surrounding the development.

Other SMDC developments such as Vine Residences in Novaliches integrate topography to mitigate the effects of harmful weather. With portions of the structure designed to be suspended from the site’s natural soil grade, the development preserves the site’s trees and greenery and incorporates a natural defense against flooding.

These climate-adaptive measures work together alongside an emphasis on the efficient use of passive green design – designs that consider the effects of sunlight, wind, and more of a location’s on-site resources when designing a building’s heat, cooling, lighting and ventilation systems.

Providing Convenient Access to Green Spaces

In a 2021 buyer study that surveyed Filipino respondents on their priorities and mindsets in choosing a home, energy efficiency and proximity to green space emerged as important factors to consider in buying a future home. Foreseeing the shift in homeowner preferences, passive green design is a hallmark of SMDC properties – seen in hallways that incorporate natural ventilation, vast open spaces in common areas, and units that maximize the entry of natural light.

Through the integration of climate-adaptive measures with passive green design and master-planned, multi-use, and township developments, SMDC works towards the UN goal to make cities safer, more inclusive and sustainable. By making sustainable living attainable for more people, SMDC addresses the challenges of today, for a better quality of life for the generations of tomorrow.

To learn more about SMDC and its developments, log on to www.smdc.com