Developers Pave the Way for a Sustainable Real Estate Industry
October 21, 2022
Table of Content
- Innovations Fueled by Sustainability
- Building Sustainably is the “Right Thing to Do”
- Merging Sustainability and Resort Living
Access to greenery and open spaces has quickly become essential in the list of what buyers want in a property or home. This is in response to being stuck at home and the pressing environmental issues, such as climate change and rapid urbanization. With these considered, developers plan to incorporate sustainability features into the core of their developments.
KB Realty Group interviewed the winners at The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Awards held last September 27. Developers and industry leaders were asked about their plans to widen access to sustainable living.
Here’s what they had to say:
Innovations Fueled by Sustainability
Green open spaces combined with innovative features differentiate Alveo Land Corp’s projects from other offerings in the industry. According to Dani Tan, one of the company’s marketing team representatives, sustainability is one of their main value propositions, as seen in their highly pedestrianized and accessible projects promoting non-motorized travel.
For Aries Cajucom, Head of Sales and Marketing for Alveo Land Corp, adjusting to market needs and receptiveness to innovations is crucial when designing a project. This ensures their properties can adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of consumers.
AboitizLand Inc. shared the same sentiments as they make sure to put sustainability at the core of what they do. Farrah Mayol, AVP for Customer and Reputation Management of AboitizLand Inc., said that “a lot of our developments are really made to be sustainable. Open spaces, wide green spaces, [and] urban gardens are part of our masterplan.” The company seeks to continue with its signature features, including open spaces and well-planned communities that, according to CEO/President David Rafael, “really stress open areas and the quality of the community.”
Research also plays a vital role in constructing projects more sustainably. Arch. Barbie Castillo Go, Director of Casas + Architects, said, “We’re always willing to work with developers and, on our part, research so that we could design better for the future.”
Further, adequate knowledge of the processes and structural considerations can guide developers in making better decisions. Alex Diesmos, Vice President for Project Development for Rockwell Land, mentioned that they are revisiting their previous designs and implementation processes to ensure that sustainability is well incorporated into their future developments.
Building Sustainably is the “Right Thing to Do”
When asked why we need to build sustainable communities, Head of Business Development of Landco Pacific Corporation, Maurel “TJ” Luzano’s simple answer was, “it’s the right thing to do.”
Rather than perceiving the environment as an obstacle to further development, Gerard Peñaflor, VP of Sales and Marketing for Landco Pacific Corporation, sees an opportunity to utilize the environment as part of the development. He noted that sustainability is ingrained in the company’s DNA, which is why they are very concerned about how sustainable features are applied, particularly in their LEED-registered projects.
Incorporating sustainability into the conceptual planning and design of projects will surely benefit the community. According to Beverly Dayanan, President and CEO of Contempo Property Holdings, during times like this when there are a lot of uncertainties, “open spaces and green spaces are really an integral part of our development—we cannot do without it.”
Meanwhile, for RLC Residences, collaborating with certification partners in the Philippines is a crucial move toward sustainability. “Planning for sustainability is really part of what the brand believes in,” said Stephanie Go, Business Development and Design Head for RLC Residences. The firm also partnered with Humble Sustainability, so residents can donate their unused belongings and practice a circular lifestyle.
Merging Sustainability and Resort Living
For Primeworld Land Holdings Inc, the main objective is to bring the resort lifestyle to Filipinos. To achieve this, Sherwin Uy, Vice President of the company, shared that they allocate more than 40-45% open space for each project. Bigger open areas are available in their resort and community in Primeworld District.
On the other hand, Pueblo De Panay emphasized life, work, and balance and how these factors impact their development plans. Lex Lavin, Chief Operations Officer of the firm, shared that they have 700 hectares of property, most of which are filled with greenery. “We have mountains; we have streams, some lakes, even. I think it’s overstating that we are part of [the developers building] environmentally-friendly [homes],” he added.
Jomar Urbano, Sales Department Head of Pueblo De Panay, also mentioned that they intend to host many sports activities like fun runs and bike races inside Pueblo De Panay. These efforts can bring residents closer to nature and boost their overall wellness.
Considering the gradual shift to sustainable living, developers are now committed to implementing a greener way of planning, designing, and constructing projects. Let’s be inspired by their efforts toward being more environmentally and socially responsible.
