Livability, human space still vital amid fast-rising cities
MANILA
Livabilityand human space remain the key elements in building "smart cities" as people flock to the metropolis not just for work but also to have living spaces where they value proximity, convenience and a workplace conducive to productivity and cost-efficient humane space.
These are among the highlights of the discussions at the CEO Forum's "Asia Real Estate Summit 2019" with this year's theme "Riding the Revolution of Real Estate" at the Manila Marriott Hotel conference hall on Wednesday.
The summit gathered real estate experts, leading professionals service and consultancy firm and corporate executives from the construction industry sector who tackled disruptions in the real property and asset management and construction industry and analysis, predictions and sharing of best practices.
"These are all the macro-indicators in real estate, and you have to be in the Philippines if you want to sustain tradition of the business on how workspaces, new wave of technology, disruption, livability and efficiency and convenience are fine-tuned, the way economies are built," said Christophe Vicic, JLL Philippines country head, who shared key solutions to changing landscapes in workspace and work dynamics.
Vicic said their "Future of Work" Model is really about the human experience for the new generation who do not want a close office or time-bound for the reporting time of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. but on a work project, by putting their best skill and skilled people together.
"The office environment is one of the key elements we see today. It's a gig economy and this is how the future will look like that's why we are preparing for the generation of young people who want a different kind of environment," he added.
He described the millennial generation as "digital natives and work differently on skills specialization where they are highly, digitally mobile, doing search instantly and are very good at using or leveraging at networks."
According to Ian Chadsey, Solutions Development Director for AsiaPacific at JLL, millions of people are moving into these urban smart cities to take advantage of the evolving way of life and work.
"As smart cities continue to rise where information and communications technology (ICT) is maximized to enhance livability, workability, and sustainability," said Chadsey, citing the need to invest in education, relationship building, affiliations with the corporate world.
He said the Philippines right now is looking at investing in smart cities with its pilot program with ASEAN which include 26 cities in the region, citing the UN report that around 50 percent are currently living in cities and projected to reach 70 percent by 2050.
"The city is going to be congested, traffic is bad, massive pollution, socioeconomic challenges so we need to start addressing these issues," Chadsey urged, stressing "the smart city is not about having cool app."
He explained that smart city involves the human element like giving people better access to health care, education, among others that smart city will be focusing on to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants while respecting the environment.
- PNA