Suburban south gleans lessons from mega cities
The perception that suburbs are mere appendages of large cities is steadily changing in the Philippines. It’s true that the suburbs offer a more idyllic pace and spaces, and now with the economic growth of provinces proximate to Metro Manila, suburban south is in a better position to offer the best of both worlds.
A good case in point is Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The booming locale hosts the 400-hectare township of Greenfield City, master-planned according to lessons derived from urban experiences of antiquated and haphazard city planning, from best practices here and abroad, and based on what a future city-dweller might want and need.
Within Greenfield City, a highend residential project of Greenfield Development Corporation under its upscale brand, Greenfield Deluxe is wonderfully taking shape.
Trava is a spacious enclave with lots sprawling by current standards at more than 500 sqm. each. It is for families yearning for extra breathing space where one can host catered private parties or simply play hide and seek with the grandkids, either in the vicinity of their property or at one of the parks or amenities inside the community.
Compared to the price per square meter of residential land in Metro Manila, Trava offers better value in terms of lot size, population density, traffic conditions and closeness to nature. Another advantage is that the added cost when buying a property in a mega city can be put to other good uses to create a well-appointed suburban home, say, for interior design and furnishings or for installing solarpowered roofs.
Trava showcases how a neighborhood designed for Filipino families should be: a nourishing haven that enables growth and an investment asset that can eventually be passed down to the next generation.
The development has since created favourable attention among investors, and one key reason is because Trava promotes eco-friendly architecture.
Indeed, the concept of luxury today is attached to wellness. The neighborhood is developed to encourage social interactions so residents can be “neighborly” in safe, relaxing, and nature-filled ways. Since the natural topography of the area is generally flat, the streets are walkable with four meters of landscaped roadside reservation and designed to be integrated. The grand clubhouse complex has solar-powered areas with a social hall for special events, and includes a fitness gym, children’s pavilion, a pool complex with pool deck, a dance studio, tennis and basketball courts, and dedicated bike and jogging lanes, among other recreation and lifestyle features.
Work-life balance is a challenging proposition especially in traditional urban centers. Getting from one place to another can take more than a couple of hours because of heavy traffic, flooding or poor zoning, leaving business owners and professionals with too little precious time for their families and themselves. Since a good location is only possible with good access roads, these issues have been addressed at Trava. In Greenfield City, the roads are wide and the districts are well connected and properly zoned.
Sta. Rosa residents who like the thrill of the shopping hunt will enjoy the convenience of having a popular destination like Paseo Outlets nearby. Or whenever one needs a change of scenery or a fresh perspective, Tagaytay is just a short drive away. The Eton-Greenfield Interchange and the Greenfield CityUnilab (formerly Mamplasan) and Sta. Rosa Interchanges are crucial arteries that help cut travel time and link people and businesses in and out of Laguna.