San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has released a conceptual master plan for its massive, green-designed, and future-ready airport development in Bulacan province, envisioned as the “pace-setter” and model for green urbanism in the country.
The project significantly boosts national and local economies as it will complement SMC’s P740-billion New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project.
Bulacan’s Airport City Design
SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said that 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.
“These designs presented to us by Arch. Palafox and his team will be close to actual. There will probably be some adjustments by the time we implement, and we will continue to improve as needed. Still, in terms of the overall concept, design, and the features, this is it,” SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang said.
“It’s very fortunate that when we sat down with Architect Jun Palafox for this project, we had the same vision that the airport and aerocity projects should be sustainably built, geared towards the future, and address social and environmental concerns that have beset our existing cities, including the country’s major financial districts. With Architect Palafox’s help, all of this can be done,” he added.
Ang underscored that 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 zoned appropriately, 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.
Read SMC taps green architect Palafox to help master plan airport city in Bulacan and other projects
He added that it would utilize renewable energy, accommodate both traditional and alternative modes of transportation, and promote active and healthier lifestyles.
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 regulations of other countries similarly situated in earthquake zones like the Philippines.
The Aerocity project will have ample open spaces and utilize the latest digital infrastructure.
It will also feature accessible public transport systems, including mass transit systems, bicycle highways, and a waterfront area with landscaped walkways and promenades.
Bulacan’s Airport City is a PPP Project
Ang said SMC is fully committed to completing the massive projects, which it will fully fund with no guarantees or subsidies from the government, to help boost the country’s post-pandemic economy and improve the lives of more Filipinos by enabling various industries and creating millions of quality jobs nationwide.
SMC’s 2,500-hectare NMIA project will initially feature four parallel runways, a world-class terminal, and a modern and interlinked infrastructure network, including expressways and railways.
“While we need to fast-track the completion of this airport and aerocity to help ease travel congestion and aid in the country’s recovery with more jobs and opportunities for more Filipinos, we are mindful that we need to do this the right way and with a vision for a sustainable future. That is why we tapped Architect Palafox for this project,” he added.
In his decades of experience as an urban planner, 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 pointed out that the country needs 100 new cities by 2050. He agreed to take on the Bulacan Aerocity development to present it as a model and pacesetter for future green and sustainable cities.
Before actual development, the company has committed to restoring and rehabilitating the existing mangrove forest cover in the Bulakan coastal areas by planting some 190,000 mangroves, developing and enhancing natural habitats of marine and bird species, and cleaning the rivers surrounding the airport project to help mitigate perennial flooding in the province.
Read SMC Bares Plan to Protect Birds around Bulacan Airport Project
Airport City Designs
The proposed Aerocity will feature wide boulevards with landscaping, greenery, and dedicated lanes for mass transportation, biking, active frontages, and pedestrian walkways. It will also feature buildings interconnected by skywalks and ideally would generate more access and connectivity between buildings and increase floor area for safe and comfortable urban-designed public spaces.
The skywalks can potentially become micro-solar farms, using renewable energy to power street lights and other urban design fixtures that contribute to pedestrian comfort and safety.
The plan also introduces concepts of waterfront development as a way to protect the site from storm surges while functioning as an environmental sanctuary, submersible green spaces, and increasing frontages that utilize the coastline. It would also help in the plan that green spaces are always within 15 min walking distance at any point in the city.
Pedestrian mobility and safety. Dedicated bike lanes are protected by a landscape barrier away from moving motorized vehicles, ideally minimizing accidents and collisions.
The plan will include wide pedestrian boulevards along the major roads and landscaping. This will encourage people to walk within the city.
The wide pedestrian boulevards can also be used for exhibits, while green spaces can showcase endemic flora.
Mass transport systems will allow people to move sustainably.