10 green ‘acts’ of Ayala developments

By Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer

SOURCE:

http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20100430-267345/10-green-acts-of-Ayala-developments

THERE’S A GROWING clamor for more green and in no way is that meant politically, economically or socially. Ayala Land sees green in the future, and has invested way ahead, proving in its various residential developments that doing business is not just about selling properties and making tidy profits.

Here are the 10 “acts” that show Ayala’s true colors:

1 Ayala Land has conducted surveys of the existing flora and fauna in the properties it plans to develop. It has done so in Nuvali in Laguna and Anvaya Cove in Bataan.

Inquirer Property had obtained a copy of Ayala Land’s survey of the animals and plants endemic to the Nuvali area in Laguna (showing a variety of animal species such as the Oriental Magpie robin, Olive-backed Sunbird, White-Throated Kingfisher, Yellow-Vented Bulbul, reticulated python, Philippine Bat Snake, Flying Lizard, Green Crested Lizard, and varied plants such as the Takip-asin (a small tree), Niog-niogan, Antipolo and Binuang (large trees).

2 Ayala Land sticks to the original lay of the land as closely as possible, preserving the natural site conditions, and makes use of the natural resources efficiently. The technologies introduced to the developments only serve to aid in its sustainability efforts (e.g. Montecito in Nuvali and Anvaya).

Ayala Land Premier spent close to half a billion pesos for Montecito alone to make sure it would be as close to unspoiled nature as possible. One of the natural highlights of Montecito is an artesian spring sourced from the Tagaytay ridge. This spring also powers a mini hydroelectric plant that would generate electricity to light the community’s main streets.

Wanting things to be as low impact of a development as possible, Anvaya Cove created guidelines that would adapt to the natural lay of the land to ensure the preservation of wide open areas. The Cove is characterized by rolling hills (peak elevation 130 meters) dotted with mango and narra trees and bamboo groves.

Ayala avoided tampering with the natural groves of mango trees during development even if the area offered tempting lease opportunities. A 10,000-sq-m Mango Grove Park was built to protect the mango trees, some of which were already there half a century ago.

Anvaya Cove’s water exploration area was also moved farther out, since the area originally chosen was found out to have nesting eagle owls.

And then the nesting grounds of sea turtles (pawikan) also had to be “shorelined” (delineated for protection from potential beachcombers). On the other side of the cove, which forms a second cove, an elevated pond had also been declared a sanctuary of Philippine mallards (ducks).

As a result of some of this self-imposed policy of “a level of self-control” in Ayala Land Premier (ALP) developments, “The Vistas at Mango Grove” situated near Anvaya Cove’s other communities can boast to prospective buyers of privacy, low density planning (at roughly five dwelling units per hectare) and vast expanses of green which a resident will share with another neighbor at the most. There will only be 36 lots at an average size of 790 sq m per lot.

3 Ayala Land has created a bird sanctuary (the Nuvali Bird Sanctuary, for example, has ensured the continued habitat of the property’s winged species).

4 It has retained, and propagates, endemic tree and plant species of its properties so that endemic birds and animals can continue to live there.

Santierra, one of the newest additions of Ayala Land Premier in Nuvali, utilizes natural and recreational park areas using endemic tree and plant species. The effort, which would provide a more suitable ecosystem for local birds and wildlife, has resulted in less water and fertilizer use. The natural flora grows better and creates a cooler climate due to the added shade. A thriving bird population keeps unwanted insects in check in addition to creating a pleasant, cheerful ambiance.

5 It has installed a dual piping system for more sustainable water supplies.

Santierra is designed to use a dual piping water system. Though the investment for such is much higher compared to the traditional piping system, the area would have a much more sustainable water supply because a significant amount of water can be efficiently recycled for watering lawns and for other purposes that do not require potable water.

Double piping systems are also in use in Alveo Land projects like Treveia (in Nuvali) as well as in Serendra communities.

6 Porous pavers are used in Santierra, which directs rainwater back into the natural aquifers, recharging them more effectively.

7 Houses are designed to allow natural light and ventilation, and are built with low-flow water fixtures, storm water catchments for irrigating the private lawn and other green designs to minimize the impact of the summer heat. Such features are all in use in Treveia.

8 It designs energy-efficient structures at par with international standards. Developments in Nuvali, for instance, are vying for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design international certification, which grades developments according to their level of sustainability-rating buildings in the areas of energy, power saving (such as percentage of recyclable materials and how it’s constructed), water conservation and indoor air quality.

Montecito’s clubhouse Pasa Tiempo is being redeveloped to increase the functionality of the space and the sense of pleasure of both the landscape and natural light.

9 Road structures in the developments are built in a way that would encourage residents to bike instead of drive. Nuvali claims to have the highest standards of sustainability and environmental safeguards, highlighted by its bike lanes to encourage human dwellers to leave their cars at home for short-distance travel.

Outside Treveia homes are double tree-lined roadways, including bike and pedestrian paths, which encourage alternative means of transportation that lower fuel usage and carbon emissions.

10 Large parks and open spaces are integrated into the development to make an ideal natural urban refuge.

One example is Santierra’s park circuit, the largest contiguous park system among existing Ayala Land Premier developments, stretching more than five kilometers. Roads and paths are bordered by trees.

“Greenery is incorporated into the master planning of residential spaces as trees are arranged so that homes are not openly visible from the main road,” said Mayi Platero Rodriguez, project development manager of Santierra.

***END***

If you are interested in Nuvali properties, feel free to contact me anytime.

thanks,

COCO MIDEL

Ayala Land Premier

Mobile +63-917-50-29252 (+63-917-50-AYALA)

Email midel.jerico@ayalaland.com.ph / coco.ayala@gmail.com

KEY TAGS ayala land inc ayala land development ayala land investment ayala land property ayala land commercial contact person in ayala land best property in the philippines ayala properties coco midel of ayala land 0917 50 292252 montecito in nuvali near Xavier school solenad new ayala city hacienda of the yulo’s lots for sale very good price money investment nuvali green city santierra Montecito abrio

Advertisement