In the Philippines, mall culture has expanded beyond food, entertainment, and shopping. The SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, developed by SM Prime–a prominent integrated property developer in Southeast Asia–is a prime example of how the eco-conscious age is shifting its focus toward sustainability and thoughtful urban planning.
SM MOA Complex, which covers 67 hectares, is currently the largest mall in the country and the sixth largest globally. It is a thriving example of an integrated city development where sustainability and enjoyment meet.
Beneath the bustling retail refuge, culinary treats, and entertainment attractions, there is a commitment to environmental stewardship and community resilience that has set the standard for sustainable urban planning in malls across the nation.
Care for the environment
In order to lessen its environmental impact and encourage a greener future, SM Prime–through its subsidiary SM Supermalls–has implemented ground-breaking programs in the SM MOA complex and other SM malls around the nation.
SM Prime is considered the most energy-efficient mall group in the country, owing to its innovative activities and integration of modern technologies, which include solar rooftops, water recycling systems, air conditioning inverters, standard Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and motion detectors on its escalators, robust solid waste management, advanced water conservation practices, and green building developments.
At the moment, SM gets more than 50% of the electricity used in all of its facilities and properties nationally from renewable energy sources.
SM Prime has stepped up its sustainability efforts and recently launched a #SMWasteFreeFuture program, encouraging stakeholders and employees across the group to reduce waste generation through effective segregation practices and adopt sustainable consumption practices such as recycling, reusing, or composting.
One of SM Prime's long-standing traditions is the use of sustainable water. Since the 1990s, the organization has been recycling water. In previous years, it treated an average of 1 billion gallons of water annually to be used for maintenance activities, such as landscaping and toilet cleaning.
More than 30 malls, especially those in high-risk locations for flooding, have integrated rainwater collection systems. The company hopes to repeat its recent accomplishment of turning rainfall into potable water at SM City Baguio in other malls.
Enhancing resilience to disasters
SM Prime prioritizes sustainable mall design and development in all of its projects.
Under the direction of SM Engineering, Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD), a subsidiary of SM Prime, the business has transformed its methods to green building design by reducing vulnerability and boosting the infrastructure resilience of its projects.
SM Aura, a LEED Gold certified skyscraper, and the green office buildings at SM MOA Complex are two of its developments. These offer healthier work-life settings to maximize business operations while minimizing their environmental impact.
Maintaining the community's safety and well-being through disaster-resiliency elements is the main goal of SM MOA Complex's ongoing expansion. To guard against earthquakes and erosion, SM Prime collaborated with a group of national and international specialists, including Jan de Nul, a well-known coastal development building company in Belgium.
A seawall design to shield the development and neighboring villages from possible storm surges or rising sea levels, as well as specific foundation systems against liquefaction and seismic occurrences, are some of the complex's developments against climate and other weather-related events.. This pledge creates a standard for the SM Prime portfolio, showcasing excellent practices applied by other SM malls around the country.
Shaping the landscape of property developments
SM Prime is committed to promoting sustainability, innovation, community stewardship, and resilience against global challenges posed by urbanization and environmental degradation.
SM Prime is a significant industry partner in the Philippines thanks to its innovative and responsible mixed-use developments with premier destinations that integrate business, leisure, and sustainability with disaster resilience. Its multifaceted approaches and pioneering efforts in the SM MOA Complex and across all of its developments further solidify its position in the country's economy.
As it continues to create creative and sustainable lifestyle cities, SM Prime is dedicated to its position as an engine for economic growth, improving the lives of millions of people in the process. SM Prime is working to create sustainable cities of the future by exploring the next frontier in integrated property development.
