Advancing sustainable, future-ready communities

With nearly 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050, the demand for housing, infrastructure, and public services continues to climb. Despite covering only 3% of the Earth’s land, cities consume up to 80% of the world’s energy and generate 75% of carbon emissions, according to the United Nations (UN).

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is steering its projects toward sustainability by transforming former military bases into hubs built on sustainable principles.

The agency aims to create communities that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, collaborating with other government agencies and private sector partners.

The blueprint of New Clark City (NCC) includes smart-city solutions to align with global green building standards. In turn, the developments create a city that can withstand natural disasters while promoting a high quality of life for its residents.

NCC also serves as a backup facility for government operations and a center for business and industry. Current projects are expected to attract more investors and tourists, further boosting economic activity in Central and Northern Luzon.

Building sustainable housing

BCDA is advancing its sustainability initiatives with a major affordable housing project in New Clark City. The development will provide 7,500 mixed-income housing units to provide a stable living environment for employees working in the city.

The project standardizes unit designs across all tenure types to eliminate visible differences between privately owned and subsidized homes. Government employees, private-sector workers, and families from Bamban and Capas, Tarlac, as well as Mabalacat and Angeles City, Pampanga, will have access to the housing community.

BCDA has also integrated sustainable design principles into the development to enhance climate resilience. The housing complex will feature infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather conditions while maintaining energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

This initiative is part of the Global Future Cities Programme, a technical assistance project spearheaded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. New Clark City has been selected as a pilot location for an urban expansion model that incorporates sustainability while integrating existing communities.

Prioritizing sustainable mobility

In October 2023, BCDA signed a memorandum of agreement with Japan-based Zenmov, Inc. and MC Metro Transport Operation, Inc. to introduce the Primary Rapid Transit (PRT) system. The initiative will serve routes across New Clark City, the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Clark Aviation Complex.

The system uses Zenmov’s Smart Mobility Operation Cloud, a platform that optimizes vehicle deployment based on real-time travel demand. This technology reduces the number of vehicles in operation while maintaining efficiency by tracking ridership patterns.

Zenmov and MC Metro will deploy low-carbon electric vehicles and bikes to cut reliance on fossil fuels. The project also includes smart poles, drones, and other infrastructure to collect and share real-time traffic data.

The initiative is part of the Clark Integrated Transport System, which aims to create a “15-minute city” where residents and workers can access essential services and workplaces within a short distance.

In addition, BCDA is seeking partners to conduct a feasibility study on Clark’s transport network. The study will assess various transportation modes within and beyond the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, considering future travel demand and urban development.

Waste management, sustainable energy initiatives

Efforts to integrate sustainable waste management practices are a priority across BCDA’s developments to reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility.

One key initiative is the Goal Zero Waste Management Program, designed to cut residual waste by 90% annually. The program has been particularly effective in BCDA’s Newport City, a 25-hectare township in Pasay City.

The strategy identifies best practices in waste management, implements uniform standards across its locators, and establishes a monitoring and evaluation framework. Early implementation has already yielded significant results, reducing residual waste by 70% to 80%, primarily through enhanced segregation practices.

BCDA is also advancing plans to build a waste-to-energy facility in the Clark Special Economic Zone. The agency has designated a 40-hectare site for the facility, which will convert municipal and industrial waste into electricity and other by-products. The project is in its early stages, with BCDA seeking partners to conduct a feasibility study before construction begins.

Once operational, the plant is expected to process large amounts of solid waste, reducing landfill dependence and contributing to the region’s power supply. Officials have not disclosed a construction timeline but reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the project with industry partners.

Meanwhile, NCC could soon adopt a more energy-efficient cooling system as BCDA explores district cooling technology. In September 2023, the agency signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar-based United District Energy International LLC and Japan-based Marubeni Corp. to assess the system’s feasibility.

District cooling uses centralized chillers, thermal energy storage tanks, and advanced control systems to regulate temperatures more efficiently than traditional air-conditioning units. The system can reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and lower greenhouse gas emissions by consolidating cooling production.

The system produces chilled water at a central plant and distributes it through underground pipes to multiple buildings, easing the burden on individual air-conditioning units and minimizing energy waste.

Marubeni Corp., BCDA’s power distribution partner in New Clark City, is expected to provide technical expertise for the study. If results confirm the system’s viability, BCDA may move toward large-scale adoption to promote energy efficiency.

Driving economic growth and development

Through its subsidiaries, BCDA is positioning Clark as a premier destination and a hub for business, tourism, and logistics while integrating sustainability into its major projects.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) is leading efforts to expand the Clark Freeport Zone, focusing on the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) market.

BCDA also aims to transform Clark International Airport (CRK) into a world-class gateway for logistics and passenger traffic. The first phase of the airport expansion focuses on airside development, including new taxiways, aprons, and landside access roads. These additions will enable CRK to accommodate more aircraft, reduce turnaround times, and improve operational efficiency.

The second phase of the expansion includes a second runway, increasing overall capacity and providing redundancy for flight operations. This upgrade will support business continuity and ensure uninterrupted logistics activities during maintenance or emergencies.

Within the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, a 60-hectare Clark National Food Hub is set to strengthen the country’s position in the global food trade. The facility will feature food storage warehouses, cold storage units, processing centers, and logistics infrastructure. These components will improve food preservation, reduce post-harvest losses, and support the export of Filipino agricultural products. The food hub is expected to stabilize food supply chains and improve market accessibility for local producers.

BCDA is also preparing to launch the Clark Central Business District (CBD), which is expected to become the country’s most modern business district. Spanning 100 hectares, the development will offer commercial spaces designed to accommodate various industries while promoting an active urban lifestyle. This project aims to ease congestion in Metro Manila and create a more balanced economic landscape in the region.

Meanwhile, the New Clark City Industrial Estates, a 9,450-hectare development in Central Luzon, is designed for industries such as pharmaceutical research, semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, and logistics. The industrial districts prioritize sustainability, integrating green infrastructure and disaster-resilient systems to establish a future-ready economic hub.

BCDA is dedicating 6,000 hectares, nearly 60% of the total area, to forests, public spaces, and parks to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. This allocation supports biodiversity, helps manage urban heat, and promotes a healthy living environment for its projected 1.2 million residents and 600,000 workers.

The industrial estates connect seamlessly to the North Luzon and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways, Clark International Airport, and Subic’s deepwater port for efficient transport solutions for businesses setting up operations.

Legislative efforts

In August 2023, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to Republic Act No. 7227, the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992. If enacted, the amendment will allow the sale of up to 5% of land in economic zones managed by BCDA for residential use. The measure aims to address the country’s growing housing demand while fostering an inclusive community within Clark.

The proposal also seeks to extend BCDA’s corporate term by 50 years, ensuring continuity for ongoing and future development projects. This extension reinforces Clark’s long-term economic and environmental goals.

Clark’s expansion plans prioritize transit-oriented urban development. High-quality transit systems will improve connectivity and accessibility, supporting sustainable urban growth while reducing congestion and emissions.

In October 2023, Clark was named one of the world’s “Cities of Legacy” at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Brisbane, Australia. — Mhicole A. Moral