Aseana City: Promoting a people-centric environment

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

SpaciouS sidewalks and ample recreational amenities are one of the most important elements of modern urban living. Nevertheless, other developers did not give importance to them which has compromised the people’s safety and well-being.

The entry of Aseana City is a welcome development as it has responded to the needs of the people fo r people-centric facilities.

Recognizing the lack of open spaces and safe pedestrian lanes in the country, D.M. Wenceslao has adopted a holistic approach to developing Aseana City. Located along the picturesque shorelines of Manila Bay, Aseana City is a vibrant mixed-use development that spans an impressive 107.5 hectares. Developed by D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, one of the c ountry’s leading integrated real estate developers and pioneers in land reclamation, Aseana City is dubbed as the “Next Generation City” that offers a diverse range of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities.

“Horizontal pedestrian infrastructure is just as important as v ertical real estate. As master developers of Aseana City, we see the last mile of pedestrian mobility as our responsibility. As the f amous movie quote goes, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ In line with our commitment to sustainability, we are currently striving t o establish the largest network of climate-protected sidewalks in the country,” said Delfin Angelo “Buds” C. Wenceslao, CEO of D .M. Wenceslao Group, emphasizing the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainable d evelopment.

Wenceslao speaks highly of Aseana City’s people-friendly features h aving wider sidewalks which are shielded from inclement weather through a well-designed network of arcades, corridors, alleyways, and canopies. He disclosed the creation of a climate-protected solution for pedestrians was made possible through the collaborative effort between DMWAI and its locators, with Aseana City’s design g uidelines mandating the installation and construction of canopies a nd sky bridges. He noted these structures are seamlessly interconnected, providing the walking p ublic with an unparalleled walkability experience.

W ith a pedestrian-centric phi - losophy in place, the vision is that one day one can walk from the LRT 1 Station at RedemptoristAseana City, stroll through Aseana City’s numerous landmarks a nd attractions, and walk all the way to the Manila Bay waterfront without having been exposed to heat or rain. Moreover, the estate is adorned with creative mural installations in various alleyways a nd buildings, further enhancing the ambiance and charm of t he city.

Parqal—Aseana City’s Main Street

PAR q A L , D MW’s flagship development, highlights the importance of effective accessibility a nd efficient mobility in Aseana City. With its design underscoring walkability and multiple entrance and exit points, Parqal serves as an excellent example of how urban planning can promote health and wellness and enhance the overall livability of a city.

Parqal, a portmanteau of the words “Park” and “Kalye” (the Filipino word for street), is a sprawling f ive-hectare mixed-use development that has an impressive gross f loor area (GFA) of 70,000 sq m.

The entire expanse of the development is enveloped by a “floating c anopy” made of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), a sustainable material that is known for its n atural light permeability, lightweight nature, and exceptional d urability. The canopy serves as the flagship spine of Aseana City’s sidewalk masterplan, covering about 5,000 sq m of the development’s linear greenway spine. With m ultiple entrance and exit points, Parqal is designed to be permeable, promoting an active lifestyle f or both visitors and residents. Moreover, the development offers an array of leisure activities, with lifestyle and retail shops offering everything from dining, fashion, and wellness to DIY options. Parqal is anticipated to open by q 3 of 2023. For DMW, the best is yet to come for Aseana City towards creating a more aesthetically compelling and beneficial urban landscape. Wenceslao pointed out it is committed to d eliver world-class infrastructure, products, and services and has established it as one of the most competitive central business districts in the metro. Aseana City’s s trategic location, connection to key transport linkages such as the NAIA Expressway, LRT Line 1 Extension, and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITx), i s further enhanced by its focus on public security, open spaces, and walkway systems. These features combine to make Aseana City an irresistibly great and valuable urban d estination. Further, Aseana City’ template has become a roadmap to urban planning and development.