Bonifacio Global City connects to the metropolis and to the world
A central location excellent for business, a better lifestyle with less pollution, and more open spaces for residents and proximity to Makati’s Central Business District (MCBD) are what Bonifacio Global City (BGC) has to offer.
BGC is in the center of Metro Manila with direct access to the south through C-5 and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). C-5 also connects to the east via Ortigas, and to the north through EDSA, which of course connects to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).
Additionally and very strategically, BGC is just a stone’s throw away from the country’s international and domestic gateways of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Creating A Bastion Of Business
The 240-hectare Bonifacio Global City was formerly known as Fort Bonifacio. It was a large military camp (in fact, the largest) in the metropolis. The government privatized it in 1992 under the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC). A development partner, Bonifacio Land Corporation (BLC) immediately started to master plan it as Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
Bonifacio Global City offers wide roadways, state-of-the-art facilities, and underground fiber optic communication cables. The district also has the metropolis’ most modern water system in the country, an extensive underground LPG piping system and drainage detention structure that can hold 22 million liters of water.
In 2003 Ayala Land, Inc., and Evergreen Holdings, Inc. of the Campos Group acquired BLC to push the development of BGC to new levels.
The High Life On High Street
Bonifacio High Street is a 400-meter-long, 40-meter-wide landscaped promenade, which forms the central linear spine of what will be eventually be a kilometer-long, pedestrian-friendly link between BGC’s east and west ends — which will have a complex including the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Shangri-La Hotel and the Mind Museum, a world-class science museum that will break ground this November. Bonifacio High Street is lined on both sides with exciting options for good food, personal pampering, select shopping and lifestyle shops.
Connections are what BGC is all about and internally each and every block in the new urban plan is linked to ensure that vehicular and pedestrian flows are unimpeded, and enhanced by shade trees, and green open spaces.
BGC is, of course, more than just connections between blocks and districts, says Noel B. Kintanar, head of Commercial Operations of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation. This “global city” works because it has a dynamic master plan that has flexibility to cater to the needs of locators or investors, the infrastructure to support all these and the centrality to ensure the quickest interface both with the rest of Metro Manila as well as in cyber space.
Internal public transportation is part of the whole package of urban amenities. Kintanar highlighted BGC’s 21 state-of-the-art shuttle buses providing 24-hour service. A mass transit system through a Bus Rapid Transit project is also being studied to allow for even better and quicker shuttle commutes.
Private cars are not forgotten as generous parking areas are evident outside and inside existing developments of Bonifacio High Street, Serendra, and Market! Market! complex. Traffic management is enhanced by a corps of local government unit (LGU) deputized enforcers who are trained professionally.
Locate Locally, Connect Globally
There is no question that for investors, residents or business locators BGC’s global access will quickly translate to global success. The city continues to grow and by 2012, it will double in size and it will have 2.6 million square meters of building floor area that is half of what Makati is today. BGC’s accessibility also translates to sustainability, as this ensures the least amount of travel, time and energy expended for any transaction. Finally its proximity to the Makati CBD is a further guarantee of the value that it offers.
A good business environment is predicated on being in touch with partners, customers and suppliers. Physically and through cyberspace, BGC provides a fully networked option with room in the near future for technology and physical urban design improvement as it grows to fulfill its vision of business and social vibrancy.
Ensuring vibrant success from centrality, accessibility, and sustainability are the hallmarks of Ayala Land’s projects and endeavors with partners and stakeholders. Like the original Makati development, BGC and, further south, Nuvali, are all premised on these attributes for success. Connectivity is the key Ayala Land uses to unlock the potential of its developments. From this perspective, you’re always in the center of action with BGC.
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This is the eighth article in a 12-part series in The Philippine STAR in collaboration with Ayala Land. “Perspectives” chronicles the success formula of urban development and progress, and gives readers a glimpse of the important elements in community development.
