Makati CBD: A people-centric masterplanned district

Written by: Amy R. Remo

The Makati central business district (CBD) stands out for a number of reasons.

One Ayala transportation hub serves as a terminal for north and southbound buses.

Easily, one will point to the fact that it’s the country’s leading financial and lifestyle hub— a vision of vibrancy, sophistication, and progress with its mix of modern skyscrapers, luxurious residential towers, and spaces offering the latest in business and technology, arts and culture, as well as retail, dining and entertainment.

People-centric district

However, there is one more equally important feature that has allowed the Makati CBD to stand out, and remain relevant and sustainable. Long before it became an essential in any mixed-use development, the Makati CBD has been masterplanned to be “people-centric”.

There are pedestrian underpasses, elevated walkways, covered sidewalks and crosswalks that enable the public to safely and conveniently walk to different points of the CBD.

In the midst of all the glass, steel and concrete in this CBD are dedicated spaces and infrastructure meant to cater to all stakeholders including pedestrians, bikers, commuters, and even motorists.

This is crucial especially in such a busy, dynamic hub that sees its daytime population hitting as much as 4.2 million given the number of offices, malls, and other establishments that call Makati CBD home. It should be noted that its residential population is only 630,000.

Various studies meanwhile showed estimates for the number of commuters, bikers and motorists plying the Makati CBD based on the average daily transit trips, with one trip referring to a transfer from origin to destination. It was reported that the Makati CBD sees a daily average of 168,601 transit trips for commuters; 373, 316 vehicle trips; and 2,606 bike trips.

Ongoing enhancements

But what further makes the Makati CBD distinct is the fact that Ayala Land continues to develop new infrastructure and enhance existing ones for the benefit of all stakeholders. It continues to evolve amid emergent preferences—even anticipating future needs and demands of those living, working and visiting this premier CBD.

Commuting is made even easier with the addition of the Makati Loop e-jeeps.

Such a move dovetails with Ayala Land’s commitment to sustainability, whose focus areas also include pedestrian and transit connectivity.

Connectivity is indeed a strong facet in any Ayala Land development, especially in the Makati CBD. As it is, there are pedestrian underpasses, elevated walkways, covered sidewalks and crosswalks that enable the public to safely and conveniently walk to different points of the CBD, making Makati a highly walkable city.

Further boosting the district’s connectivity are the bike lanes along the main thoroughfares and side roads of the CBD. These bike lanes have long been Ayala Land’s own initiative, which it continues to improve today especially amid a growing demand.

Ayala Land has already installed additional bollards to ensure the safety and welfare of the cyclists.

Seamless integration

For the benefit of the commuting public, Ayala Land has likewise built One Ayala, a three-floor, 20,000-sqm transportation hub that serves as an intermodal terminal for north and southbound buses, AUVs, the future Bus Rapid Transit, and jeepneys. It also offers direct connection to the MRT.

Further boosting the district’s connectivity are the bike lanes along the main thoroughfares and side roads of the CBD.

Located at the corner of Ayala Ave. and Edsa, this modern gateway is said to be the first-of-its-kind intermodal transport facility in the country, designed to ensure a more seamless integration with the various transport modes here in Makati. This terminal, done in partnership with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other government agencies, is expected to serve up to 300,000 passengers per day.

Car-free spaces

During weekends, Ayala Land also ensured that the public can enjoy more car-free spaces.

The so-called “Fitness Loop” in Ayala Triangle Gardens refers to the car-free route along Paseo de Roxas, Ayala Avenue, and Makati Avenue, which can be enjoyed by bikers, joggers, skaters, and practically anyone who wants to take a leisurely stroll with friends or fur babies from 6 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Convenient commuting

Commuting is made even easier with the addition of the Makati Loop e-jeeps, whose route connects two transport hubs namely One Ayala and Circuit Makati. It makes eight key stops including One Ayala; Greenbelt 3; Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish Church; Ayala Triangle Gardens; Makati Medical Center; Century City Mall; Makati City Hall; and Circuit Makati.

Ayala Land is also taking an active part in Makati City’s “Hop-On, Hop-Off” sightseeing bus tours.

Ayala Land is also taking an active part in Makati City’s “Hop-On, Hop-Off” sightseeing bus tours, which formed part of the Department of Tourism’s recovery program. This initiative features the museums, heritage sites and lifestyle centers within the city.

On top of all these, Ayala Land has also opened electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations in various locations including Makati CBD—particularly in Tower 2 Ayala Triangle, Greenbelt Makati, Solaris One, and Glorietta. This move was not only meant to cater to the growing number of motorists using EVs, but it was also in keeping with the company’s long-term commitment towards carbon neutrality.

Truly, all these continuing initiatives and projects are geared towards making people’s lives safer, healthier, better and more convenient whenever they are in the Makati CBD—whether they are commuters, pedestrians, cyclists or motorists.

ADVT.