It appears hosting the Energy Ministers’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is reaping rewards for Metro Cebu as one of its component cities was selected as a low-carbon model town. Secretary Zenaida Monsada of the Department of Energy announced the selection of Mandaue City as one of the green town models following the end of the meeting. It was selected over Subang Jaya in Malaysia and Krasnoyarsk City in Russia, two other nominees for the project.
According to a report by Marites Villamor Ilano on cebudailynews.inquirer.net, a feasibility study will be facilitated by APEC experts on the establishment of five growth areas in the city. These growth areas were identified through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the city, said Mandaue City Administrator James Abadia.
Among the areas to be developed are the area between the Cansaga Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in the Mandaue North Reclamation Area and the interior parts of the city. The growth areas under the green town model encompass a total area of 60 hectares with each area covering between 20 and 30 hectares.
According to a report by Marites Villamor Ilano on cebudailynews.inquirer.net, a feasibility study will be facilitated by APEC experts on the establishment of five growth areas in the city. These growth areas were identified through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the city, said Mandaue City Administrator James Abadia.
Among the areas to be developed are the area between the Cansaga Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge in the Mandaue North Reclamation Area and the interior parts of the city. The growth areas under the green town model encompass a total area of 60 hectares with each area covering between 20 and 30 hectares.
APEC Selects Mandaue City As A Green Town Model - image source: filipino.cri.cn
The construction of eco-friendly buildings will require the identification of economic drivers based on the Green Building Code of the city. While the rate of development in the city will be increased with a grant from APEC, it is still necessary to ensure it is sustainable, Abadia said.
Traffic, drainage, flooding, and solid waste management are among the issues the city has to manage, Abadia added. If the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence or BERDE rating system is followed by all building owners, any adverse effects of development on the environment will be mitigated, he added. The Philippine Green Building Council developed the system, which offers incentives to building owners who abide to it.
The feasibility study conducted by APEC will include the proposed automated guideway transit system connecting these growth areas with the other parts of Metro Cebu. This is consistent with the Mega Cebu road map of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study is expected to be completed within one year.
Traffic, drainage, flooding, and solid waste management are among the issues the city has to manage, Abadia added. If the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence or BERDE rating system is followed by all building owners, any adverse effects of development on the environment will be mitigated, he added. The Philippine Green Building Council developed the system, which offers incentives to building owners who abide to it.
The feasibility study conducted by APEC will include the proposed automated guideway transit system connecting these growth areas with the other parts of Metro Cebu. This is consistent with the Mega Cebu road map of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study is expected to be completed within one year.
APEC Selects Mandaue City As A Green Town Model - image source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net
Three other Asia-Pacific cities are part of the low-carbon model town program of APEC. These green town models are Samui Island in Thailand, Tianjin in China and Da Nang in Vietnam. APEC experts provided technical assistance to these cities in urban development planning.
Lessons learned from these green town models will be used as a guide for other APEC economies. The project is part of the Green Growth initiative of APEC aimed at promoting the use of energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies. The project was launched in 2010.
The head of the Policy and Planning Bureau of the Department of Energy, Jesus Tamang, said it is essential to complete the feasibility study within one year. The study will be presented during the next energy ministers meeting of the APEC.
Lessons learned from these green town models will be used as a guide for other APEC economies. The project is part of the Green Growth initiative of APEC aimed at promoting the use of energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies. The project was launched in 2010.
The head of the Policy and Planning Bureau of the Department of Energy, Jesus Tamang, said it is essential to complete the feasibility study within one year. The study will be presented during the next energy ministers meeting of the APEC.
APEC Selects Mandaue City As A Green Town Model - image source: www.zamboanga.com
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