A model CBD: Filinvest City's green design guided by LEED-ND certification

Filinvest City in Alabang is once again making a remarkable stride in transforming the landscape of the Metro South as it actively seeks the prestigious and coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Plan Version Four Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED for Neighborhood Development was initiated to recognize large-scale townships that successfully protect and enhance the overall health, natural environment and quality of life. The LEED-ND rating system clarifies the sustainability of neighborhoods using an integrated set of smart growth, new urbanization, and green construction principles.

A future-ready, masterplanned urban center

Furthermore, in keeping with USGBC’s thrust, Filinvest City was envisioned as a future-ready, masterplanned community that is responsive to the needs of the changing times.

“Filinvest City embodies the principles of smart growth with walkable streets and an inviting mix of trees and development to foster a sense of community,” says Dean Barone of Barone International, Filinvest City’s consultant for the LEED Certification. “It is a place with its own unique character and function where people live, work and play and interact with the community.”

Filinvest City has proudly established itself as the world-class Central Business District of Metro South, harmoniously blending modern, state-of-the-art urban lifestyle and innovative masterplanning with green, open spaces and eco-centric features that make it a walkable and bike-friendly community. Its management believes that achieving economic progress and prosperity can and should be done without sacrificing nature and ecological balance. The masterplan was reviewed and enhanced further to include more nature-friendly features and amenities. With this vision, Filinvest City was also cited for Best Mixed Use Development at the Asia Pacific Property Awards.

A self-contained, sustainable convergence hub

Ease of movement with accessibility at its core, allowing for true pedestrianization, is at the heart of Filinvest City. Filinvest City, as a sustainable community, strives to cater to diverse needs of existing and future city dwellers. It has established itself as a modern metropolis where a quality range of residential options, lifestyle centers, and community hubs are available for every lifestyle, with schools, public and private hospitals, and government institutions nearby. Apart from being a thriving business district, Filinvest City stands in a class if its own Garden City with the enhancement of green spaces and parks and pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly streets.

"We want Filinvest City to be an experiential CBD, for residents and workers to experience the city at a ground level—that their daily lives won't end at their offices or homes, but rather extend to the parks and other play components provided for them," says Don Ubaldo, Filinvest Alabang, Inc. vice presidents for townships.

Host to some of the biggest multinational corporations, Filinvest City’s skyline also consists of sleek high-rises and several green buildings, with certified projects such as Axis Tower One, Vector Three, Toyota Alabang, Polaris, HSBC New Alabang, and Capella. Even its premium residential developments like Botanika Nature Residences is Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE)-certified. The Northgate Cyberzone, the biggest, most innovative IT park in the Metro South that is home to a number of these buildings, takes pride in its District Cooling System (DCS) which helps to lessen the energy consumption of the buildings.

A progressive fusion of nature and modernity

A verdant garden and breathable city—where modernity and nature meet—is what sets Filinvest City apart. Lush landscapes and open spaces are provided as areas of convergence for the whole community—locators and residents, as well as their guests. Thus, Filinvest City is a more conducive working and living environment compared to other CBDs which are saturated and have fewer open spaces.

Other streetscape enhancements are in the pipeline, proof of Filinvest City’s further commitment to green living. Plans include the Central Park along Promenade Avenue and the Creekside Park development from Palms Pointe Village down to Festival Alabang.

All these and more are testaments of Filinvest City’s continuous efforts in making the entire CBD a model township—one that uses only the best practices in urban planning.

Adds Ubaldo: “Our vision for Filinvest City is one that is forward-looking and grounded on sustainability, where staying abreast with modernity is balanced with the needs of the environment and the people.”