In Sync with the new face of Central Business District

(The Philippine Star) Updated August 24, 2012 12:00 AM 

These business parks, both of which are recognized as the most sought-after addresses in Cebu, are being amalgamated to be addressed as the Cebu Park District (CPD). ALI and Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) are working at the forefront of this P10-B redevelopment project. | Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Every central business district (CBD) that thrives in cities signifies growth and development. As the nucleus of a burgeoning urban landscape, this site is geographically identified by the major concentration of commercial land use, diversified by high percentages of offices, and services like banking and finance. And when we talk about cities that present such vibrant epicenters, global destinations Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, Singapore, New York, and London are the leading cities that present such aggressive cityscapes.
Nonetheless, these urban giants flourish not only in terms of business activities, but also in lifestyle and cultural facets as they all present clusters of residential developments, retail shops, and other leisure spots where urban denizens converge. Ayala Land is essentially mirroring these facets, through continuously building CBDs regionally. Hence, we find cities much closer to home that are evolving with pensively master-planned epicenters that significantly prompt financial, commercial and cultural escalation.
In the Philippines, the Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City are the most notable high-ranking business, commercial, and lifestyle hubs. In those cases, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has aggressively poured its efforts in renewing and improving landscapes through infrastructure, offices, leisure centers, and mixed-use hubs. Fueled by the success of these cities, the company is in fact expanding its footprint regionally as it is now at the helm of heightening Cebu’s primacy.

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It was reported in December 2011 that the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is poised to shoot up in the area in the coming years, clearly giving a positive impact to Cebu’s economic trajectory. Such progress will soon become more evident in Cebu I.T. Park and Cebu Business Park, as there is an expected 20 percent increase in the 50,000 person workforce recorded in the area earlier this year. These business parks, both of which are recognized as the most sought-after addresses in Cebu, are being amalgamated to be addressed as the Cebu Park District (CPD). ALI and Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) are working at the forefront of this P10B redevelopment project.
“Given that both commercial squares are geographically aligned and strategically located at the heart of the city, addressing them as a single destination will solidify and strengthen their potential as business centers,” explains Tony Aquino, President of Ayala Land and Chairman of Cebu Holdings, Inc. “Mirroring the synergy of both parks will practically provide a larger environment for BPOs and even for other businesses that will spur growth in the region.”
However, Aquino recognizes that today’s worldwide trends and lifestyles suggest that CBDs are way past just having office buildings or retail centers. With the rising number of commercial conglomerates in the area, Cebu Park District is further bolstering its urban convenience, thus, more CBD developments and amenities must be endowed.
“There is already an existing lifestyle destination in the area—Ayala Center Cebu. This defining lifestyle centerpiece is set to expand in the coming years, not only in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment, but even with residential towers and hotel that will be integrated in its overall masterplan,” says Aquino.