MANILA, Philippines - New Urbanism promotes the creation and restoration of diverse, walkable, compact, vibrant, mixed-use communities composed of the same components as conventional development, but assembled in a more integrated fashion, in the form of complete communities. These contain housing, work places, shops, entertainment, schools, parks, and civic facilities essential to the daily lives of the residents, all within easy walking distance of each other.
“We at South Forbes Golf City are about giving people many choices for living an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable places, while providing the solutions to peak oil and climate change,” said Cathay Land president Jeffrey Ng. “Subscribing to the tenets of New Urbanism allows us to provide our residents with a place to live, study, work, shop, and relax – all within the confines of the city.
South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Sta. Rosa – Tagaytay corridor, and recipient of the Best Golf Community Development by the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, and, recently, the Highly Commended Award for Best Development by the 2010 Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Residential Award, embodies the characteristics of New Urbanism.
Traditional Neighborhood Structure. Public spaces have a way of bringing people together, giving them a sense of belonging. South Forbes embodies the unique character of town center design through its retail, entertainment, dining, and cultural hub called the City Center. With its free-form lagoon as the focal point, several commercial zones are located around it, conveniently reachable via the boardwalk.
Along its circumference are two commercial boundaries – Rodeo Drive where small retail stores create a colorful and distinct character to the commercial development and the South Boulevard Commercial Strip where mixed-use buildings run along the main avenue, retail stores on the ground level and residential or business operations are on the upper levels.
Walkability and Connectivity. Through South Forbes’ 5 Clusters of Excellence, an internationally-themed Residential Cluster works in synergy with the Education, Business, Wellness, and Leisure Clusters. These clusters are within a 10-minute walk of home, school, and work.
A high quality pedestrian network and public realm makes walking pleasurable. South Forbes employs, too, a pedestrian-friendly street design: buildings are close to street, houses have porches, windows and doors, streets are tree-lined, and parking lots are hidden. In some cases, pedestrian streets are free of cars.
Quality Architecture and Mixed Housing. A truly unique characteristic of South Forbes’ residential district is its international-themed neighborhoods. This diversity is not limited to the architecture alone but includes as well the types of feature amenities vital to every development. Bali Mansions, Nirwana Bali, and Phuket Mansions will have their resort-themed enclaves with pools surrounded by lush, tropical foliage and Châteaux de Paris will boast of its grand clubhouse and many themed gardens like that of the City of Lights itself. The meditative setting of Tokyo Mansions will be a respite from the constant hurriedness of the outside world while Miami will exude a more vigorous and chic lifestyle.
South Forbes adds to its diversity with two condominium projects: Scandia Suites, a take-off on the uncomplicated, efficient, and innovative style of Scandinavian modernism, more to the liking of business executives, with units that are high in style but low in upkeep, and the Golf View Terraces, set along the ridge of the alluring fairways whose perks are a curtain of verdant trees, the cool, gentle breeze and the subtle scent of the freshly-mown grass.
Move in right here, right now. Call 635-7777 or 631-8855 for a free city tour or log on to www.southforbes.com for more information.