Dorms can help reduce pollution in Metro – survey

A survey conducted in partnership with Tangere Marketing Survey and MyTown has shown that Metro Manila’s carbon emissions can be reduced with development of more co-living buildings as these bring down the number of vehicles on the roads daily.

In Metro Manila, traditional transportation, mostly jeepneys, buses and private cars, are major sources of carbon emissions, and the manner by which young professionals commute daily.

In a report to the Philippine Climate Change Commissioner, the Philippine Climate Change Assessment Working Group noted in late 2018 that transportation is the second highest contributor of total greenhouse gases in the Philippines, with 35 percent of total emissions.

MyTown, the first and largest coliving brand in the country, with investors such as SM Investments Corporation and Franklin Templeton, currently has over 3,000 co-living beds located in close proximity to major business districts such as Bonifacio Global City and Makati CBD.

This allows young professionals to give up their daily commute and instead enjoy the amenities and events MyTown offers its tenants.

The survey showed that young professionals living in MyTown have together managed to curb more than 875 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, up from 451 metric tons during last year's Earth Day.

This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide absorbed by around 1,000 acres of forest land for a year, or almost 14,000 tree seedlings planted for ten years, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

The emission data used is from published work by Herbert Fabian, Transport Program Manager at Clean Air Philippines.

“With each MyTown building we build, we aim to improve people’s quality of life, regain time otherwise lost in traffic, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and educate tenants about how to help do their part,” said Group Director, Jelmer Ikink.

PULS, established in 2012, is a leading owner, developer and manager of purpose-built young professional housing.

It specializes in the development of rental housing communities under the “MyTown” brand at walking distance from central business districts in Metro Manila.