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Coastal land reclamation: A glimpse into today’s urban development strategies

August 25, 2023 10:30 p.m.

Coastal land reclamation is increasing and will continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth.

This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg.

Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spaces. Key drivers like global trade and rapid urbanization are already ubiquitous, so for the next step, these cities desire prestigious place-making efforts and enhanced international reputation.

“Coastal land reclamation is a forward-looking approach to urban development,” says Architect Ian Fulgar, the principal architect of Fulgar Architects. It allows cities to preserve valuable ecosystems and resources from urban sprawl by expanding spaces without encroaching on existing natural land. More importantly for architects, urban planners, and modern city dwellers, it presents an opportunity to have purpose-built urban environments specifically designed to meet their needs.

“Architects and urban planners can design sustainable and efficient infrastructure with a blank canvas, incorporating the latest technologies and best practices in urban planning. This approach can lead to more resilient and adaptive cities capable of mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental challenges,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Cities that lead coastal land reclamation

Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong, says Architect Fulgar, are some of the world’s most notable cities with impressive urban reclamation projects. “Not only have they transformed their respective landscapes but also captured global attention,” he says.

Photo credit to Anastasia Yudin. An aerial shot of Flower Dome in Singapore.

Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay are testaments to the city-state’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The former is a luxury integrated resort famed for transforming Singapore’s coastline and city skyline, whereas the latter is a spectacularly unique horticultural destination that combines art, science, and nature. These reclaimed land developments further boost the country’s international reputation and real estate value around the area.

For some parts of the United Arab Emirates, coastal land reclamation has significantly changed its geography. Dubai, which has completely transformed into an ultramodern city, features ambitious projects now known as some of the most recognizable developments in the world like Palm Jumeirah and The World. “They have reshaped the coastline and established the city as a leader in innovative development, significantly elevating Dubai’s real estate value and worldwide interest,” says Architect Fulgar.

Photo credit to Abid Bin Nazar. An aerial view of Palm Jumeirah.


Palm Jumeirah is an awe-inspiring artificial archipelago shaped like a palm tree when viewed from above. It houses some of Dubai’s luxury hotels, residences, and entertainment venues. Likewise, The World is a groundbreaking project composed of small artificial islands in the shape of a world map.

Lastly, Hong Kong’s commitment to preserved art, culture, and ongoing sustainable urban development is exemplified by its West Kowloon Cultural District. It is a 40-hectare reclaimed site along Victoria Harbour’s waterfront designated as the city’s vibrant cultural quarter where the local arts scene can interact, develop, and collaborate throughout its sustainability principles.

Architect Fulgar, who firmly believes in creating spaces that foster belonging and unity, highlights that Singapore, Dubai, and Hong Kong share common denominators in their successful urban reclamation projects. These are innovative design and planning, focus on sustainability and commitment to cultural and societal development, and the subsequent increase in real estate value.

“These projects have created iconic and visually striking landscapes by pushing the boundaries of engineering and urban design. Sustainability is often at the forefront, integrating practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors,” says Architect Fulgar on these cities’ commitment to sustainability atop function and aesthetics.

Best practices of coastal land reclamation

Despite recognition of world-class reclamation projects, one of their primary challenges is facing criticism and potential issues over sustainability concerns. Architect Fulgar shares that the solution is through the responsibility of vital stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach and adaptive strategies in implementing best practices, such as prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience goals in waterfront developments.

“The future of city development, especially in coastal areas, rests with stakeholders prioritizing sustainability and disaster resilience. By adopting a comprehensive, collaborative, and adaptable strategy, they can transform the design, construction, and management of waterfront development – ultimately creating more sustainable, resilient, and prospering urban environments that benefit both people and the environment,” adds Architect Fulgar.

Moreover, Architect Fulgar puts emphasis on a well-planned project that begins with the developers’ thorough research and analysis of the selected area about potential environmental impacts, disaster risks, and local community needs. Architects and engineers need to incorporate sustainable design principles and green and blue spaces to reduce the development’s environmental footprint.

“Trends and insights on global reclamation illustrate the potential of reclamation projects in addressing various urban development, environmental conservation, and community well-being needs – leading to more sustainable and resilient urban planning worldwide. By adopting these lessons and focusing on sustainable growth, the Philippines can capitalize on its potential and carve a path to a brighter future.”

NEWS

Katapult Digital chairman to conduct free brand-building conference in Manila on Thursday

 9:47 p.m. November 5, 2024    

GLOBAL CEO and sports coach James Michael Lafferty will be returning to Manila for a one-day business conference on how to build a top brand nowadays in the age of fast-growing technological revolutions at the Hilton Hotel Newport on Thursday.

Lafferty, the coach and personal adviser of two-time Olympian and Asia’s No. 1 pole vault king EJ Obiena, will conduct a free 2 to 4 p.m. exclusive networking talk on mastering the art of building global brands in an era of rapidly evolving consumer presence.

The two-hour free conference entitled “Building Global Brands” for a limited 30-person attendees plus a livestream availability is organized by Lafferty, who is the chairman of Katapult Digital, and their CEO Francis Uy.

Lafferty, who was recently named for the fourth time as one of the top 100 CEOs by Forbes, has held CEO positions in some of the most iconic branded companies including Procter and Gamble and Coca-Cola.

He is considered one of the world’s leading experts on branding.

Aside from Obiena, former Southeast Asian Games long jump queen Marestella Torres-Sunang was also one of the Filipino national athletes mentored by Lafferty up to now.

Uy will also discuss the Revolution of Artificial Intelligence and Hyper-Targeting and discover how AI and precision marketing are transforming growth strategies and redefining success in the digital age.

For inquiries and interested parties, please RSVP now before spots fill up: Email: roland.espiritu@katapultdigital.com Contact: +639064993789

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NEWS

SM Super Pets Club offers more than paw-sibilities with new Facebook group

9:40 p.m. November 5, 2024

Calling all fur parents! The SM Super Pets Club Facebook group has officially launched in partnership with Grab Pet, and exclusive promos await! Connect with other pet owners, gain first dibs on new discounts from partner brands, and receive free consultations from veterinarians–all by joining the SM Super Pets Club.

The winning super pet and fur-parent duo pose in matching superhero-themed costumes.

The launch, held at SM Aura’s Paw Park on October 19, 2024, brought together excited pet parents for an afternoon filled with fun, bonding, and exclusive freebies. Pets arrived in their best costumes for a contest that saw both parents and furry friends show off their ensembles on stage.

Pets socialize with one another at SM Aura’s Paw Park, located at Skypark on Level 5.

Paw-syal at SM is now easier than ever with Grab Pet, which allows passengers to bring their fur-babies along for the ride.

With Grab Pet, passengers can safely bring their furry friends with them to any SM Paw Park in Metro Manila.

SM Supermalls continues to be a pet-friendly space, with this latest initiative creating an interactive hub for pet owners to share their experiences, tips, and more. Fur parents can expect more exciting events, deals, and community activities as the group expands.

Join the SM Super Pets Club Facebook group to connect with other fur parents and exchange photos of your pets.

Want to see more highlights from the launch event and learn more about the paw-sibilities that await you? Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsmsupermalls%2Fvideos%2F583719037641608%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

If you haven’t yet joined the SM Super Pets Club Facebook group, now is the perfect time to do so. For more information, visit www.smsuperpetsclub.com or follow SM Supermalls on all social media.

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DITO earns global recognition with 5 awards at 21st International Business Awards

8:00 p.m. November 4, 2024

DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telco in the country, continues to prove its grounds as it recently bagged five awards at the recently concluded 21st International Business Awards (IBA) held in Istanbul, Turkey.

DITO won two silver awards- Influencer Marketing Campaign of the Year and Communications or PR Campaign of the Year-Social Media-Focused – for its Galing DITO 2024 campaign, which was launched early this year and headlined by the emerging Pinoy Pop boy group Alamat.

Moreover, DITO’s commitment to innovation was recognized with three bronze awards- Marketing Disruptor of the Year, User-Centered Redesign Drives Conversions Category: Achievement in User Experience, and Fastest-growing Company of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.  These awards underscore DITO’s relentless pursuit of enhancing connectivity and customer service experience for the Filipino people.

According to Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business, these internationally acclaimed awards reinforce DITO’s position as a dynamic force in the Philippine telecommunications industry.

“As a young telco, we’re honored by these global recognitions that not only validate our team’s hard work and dedication but also cement our position in the Philippine telco industry,” Jimenez said.

“The GalingDITO campaign, which champions Filipino talent and excellence, was one of our key initiatives this year. This campaign is more than just an avenue to spotlight homegrown talents but also a reflection of our continuous commitment towards empowering more Filipinos powered by our inclusive, next-generation technology,” Jimenez added.

The IBA, also known as the “International Stevies,” is the world’s premier business awards program, recognizing outstanding achievements in various industries worldwide.

For more information, check out @DITOphofficial at Facebook and Instagram or visit https://dito.ph/.

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