New satellite city

Leading real estate developer Cathay Land had ambitious plans for its 250-hectare project in the booming Sta. Rosa-Silang-Tagaytay business and residential hub. Cathay Land President Jeffrey Ng envisioned it to be a self-sustaining satellite city, wherein education, religion, sports, and leisure choices all combine to create an invigorating neighborhood lifestyle for residents.

Since this type of development meant setting the highest standards for the appreciation of the Filipino family, Cathay Land relied on leading masterplanner and architectural firm Palafox and Associates to plan the whole city. The firm, under the helm of Managing Partner and Founder Arch. Felino Palafox Jr., has designed award-winning and distinctive projects in the Philippines and 15 other countries over the past 16 years. It is the only architectural firm from the whole of Southeast Asia to be included in the world’s Top 200 architectural firms by the World Architecture magazine.

After his team conducted an ocular of the whole site, Palafox concluded, "The location is very versatile. South Forbes Golf City will actually be part of the expanded Metropolis by 2020, the study of which we have presented abroad." He noted that the direction of urban growth is south of Metro Manila, and South Forbes’ prime location gives residents and business locators proximity to the business districts of Makati and Alabang. In addition, the south boasts of enchanting beaches and all-weather golf courses for the residents’ relaxation purposes.

To bring Cathay Land’s vision of a city where everything is within walking distance and neighbors appreciate each other’s company, Palafox implemented the concepts of "New Urbanism" in the masterplan. He likewise input the best practices he’s learned while working with the best foreign urban planning consultants during his stint abroad. New Urbanism, according to him, is the standard now being followed in much of Europe and the United States, after urban planners realized after the oil crisis of 1973 that the car-friendly masterplan of Los Angeles was "a mistake."

The New Urbanism principles, as implemented in South Forbes, make this city comparable to the best masterplanned communities in America and Europe, according to Palafox. For a full appreciation of Palafox’s New Urbanism-inspired masterplan for South Forbes Golf City, please call (02) 635-8108 or (02) 636-4647 and visit www.cathaylandinc.com.