A Breath of Fresh Air
Gardens and parks to visit and enjoy in the Makati CBD include the Washington Sycip Park, Legazpi Active Park, Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, and the Ayala Triangle Gardens.
Through the years, the Makati Central Business District (Makati CBD) strives to evoke a sense of relaxed efficiency for its community of visitors, office workers and residents. The 118-hectare premier financial district of the Philippines offers a multitude of options for one’s many lifestyle expressions—be it art, dining, shopping, education and leisure.
The Makati Central Estate Association or MaCEA, which has managed the estate for the past 56 years, makes it a point to keep things fresh for Makati CBD denizens.
“Our commitment at MaCEA is to maintain Makati CBD as a world-class business district with the most convenient access to residential enclaves, workplaces and shopping centers. We embark on projects that build stronger sense of community through enhanced common spaces, improved and safe public walkways and continuously-upgraded infrastructure. And this is a long-term, ongoing commitment as our legacy for the future generations,” says Architect William V. Coscolluela, chairman of MaCEA’s Special Projects.
All of these are products of time, and the many passionate people who saw the potential of the space as a self-contained community from way back the Hispanic days. Throughout its long history of over 400 years, Makati has evolved continuously as a response to its people’s many needs. As both businesses and people populated the area, the urban center responded with a vision and a commitment to progress as a world-class financial center for the country.
The Makati CBD remains a highly-competitive urban center globally as it continues to be headquarters to thousands of businesses, both international and local companies. It is a product of the unique blend of collaboration between private sector management and public governance. This dual force results to ensuring that traffic flows, and that the district stays clean and healthy.
With an estimated population of 1.5 million on weekdays, the district requires utmost management skills, nifty time-and-motion plans, and people who care enough for both their own health and environment. Since its founding over five decades ago, the MaCEA carries on its mandate to advance the civic, commercial, and residential interests of its members while promoting the general welfare of the district and its surrounding communities.
A Highly-Walkable and Inter-Connected CBD
Beginning in the 1990s, the MaCEA embarked on a district-wide pedestrian-driven development. The plan was designed to enhance the physical facilities to promote the healthier option of walking from point-to-point within the district. Hence, a master plan to segregate traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, was developed. Strategic pathways on all levels—underground, ground and above-ground—were designed, planned and executed over the last two decades. This is an ongoing MaCEA development, as it continues to respond to the district’s many demands.
The Greening of the Makati Central District
Gardens and parks provide breathing spaces and venues for active living within the Makati CBD. The Washington Sycip Park, the Legazpi Active Park, the Velasquez Park in Salcedo, and the Ayala Triangle Gardens are the CBD’s most notable green features.
In December 2017, MaCEA completed the re-development and upgrade of the Sycip Garden Park in Legazpi Village enhancing its security features, adding more trees and plants, improving its water features, as well as the recreational functionalities such as the jogging path and kids’ playgrounds in its Active Park.
MaCEA likewise encourages its members to use rooftops, empty spaces as urban patios or gardens. On top of that, a number of common areas like corners of major roads are also enhanced with landscaping and greenery.
“Makati CBD will continue transforming for the better and continue being a very liveable, smarter city—where green spaces and pedestrian connectivity will remain essential aspects of development,” states Jonathan C. David, General Manager of MaCEA.
MaCEA remains committed to continue its best practices as Makati CBD’s estate manager, making sure that the community and their “Makatizens” enjoy a clean, green, and safe city for many years to come.
