MEGAWORLD UNVEILS BOTANICAL-THEMED TOWNSHIP IN CAVITE

A SCENIC field of lavender and greenery is set to flourish in the province of Cavite as Megaworld's Arden Botanical Estate takes root at the border of Trece Martires City and the municipality of Tanza. The 251-hectare development is said to be the first botanical-themed township in the Philippines.

With focus on preserving and enriching the natural environment, Arden Botanical Estate will consist not only of residential and leisure villages, but also of expansive natural parks, lush gardens, rivers and ponds along with commercial districts, among others. These elements are meticulously planned to provide its future residents with a place where they can lead a healthy and balanced life.

Arden Botanical Estate is a joint venture of property giant Megaworld and its subsidiary, Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI). The consolidated capital expenditure for the entire township is P18 billion.

Rowena Espiritu-Lim, head of Sales and Marketing at Global-Estate Resorts Inc., says, "Arden Botanical Estate is fast taking shape as a one-of-a-kind township development that allows everyone — whether they are residents, workers or simply visitors of the township — to live and enjoy a beautiful and purposeful life within an enviable address."

Within the township, there are three villages: The Lindgren, Arden Botanical Village and Arden Westpark Village.

This artist’s perspective captures the Arden Botanical Estate that is set to emerge at the heart of Cavite in the next few years. A lavender field inside the development will offer a valuable addition to the community that is anticipated to flourish there. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

Megaworld offers residential lots within both the 18.1-hectare Arden Botanical Village and the 15.2-hectare Arden Westpark Village. Meanwhile, GERI offers houses and lots at The Lindgren, an expansive 18.3-hectare village with Scandinavian-inspired houses and a total of 123 lots. GERI also extends commercial lot offerings within the township.

The Arden Botanical Village is home to 329 residential lots. Within this project lies Centrera Park, which features designated areas for various wellness elements, including jogging paths, landscaped walkways, natural swimming pools, meditation grounds, a promenade, outdoor prayer areas, grass tennis court, and yoga and tai chi spaces.

Another residential community within this expansive township is the Arden Westpark Village, offering a total of 221 residential lots available for sale. Notably, 40 percent of this 15.2-hectare development is dedicated to open spaces, allowing future residents to reconnect with nature anytime. This village will have pocket parks, a bamboo tunnel, a dog park and wellness stations.

Meanwhile, an array of features can also be found at The Lindgren, including a mini botanical garden, outdoor bar and cabana, and a clubhouse equipped with various amenities.

Apart from these villages, the Arden Botanical Estate will feature a 8.3-hectare Arden Botanical Estate Town Center, consisting of commercial and retail spaces, alfresco dining areas, an events place, an amphitheater, a flower farm, a flower tunnel and a playground, among others.

Megaworld introduces Arden Botanical Estate’s Breathing Chapel, a unique open-air sanctuary, where residents and guests can spend their quiet moments of reflection. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE

For moments of tranquility and spiritual reflection, residents can escape to the Breathing Chapel, found at the Town Center. This open-air sanctuary — roofless and formed by landscaped plants on trellises — provides a space for individuals to connect with nature and the higher being.

Underlining its commitment to sustainability, Arden Botanical Estate will incorporate various eco-friendly features such as solar street lights, electric shuttles, stormwater recycling systems, permeable pavements for driveways and parking areas, and the application or use of organic fertilizers and pesticides for its gardens.

Throughout the township, roads will also be flanked with trees, offering residents a sense of relief and comfort as they walk or drive around the township.

Building with nature, not against it

Renowned award-winning landscape architect and urban planner Paolo Alcazaren is the creative force behind the designs and elements of the visionary Arden Botanical Estate's Arden Botanical Village and Town Center.

During the media launch of the project, Alcazaren stresses, "The best life is a balanced life, and a balanced life can't be lived [without] a balanced environment."

Alcazaren asserts that his advocacy of proper urban planning stems from the imbalances in the amount of buildings and open green spaces in Metro Manila.

He elaborates: "There is no legislation for cities and towns in the Philippines to provide a percentage of the land to open green space. We just have a few plazas. It's only the law for subdivisions that require 20 percent of space for that."

Alcazaren's plan with Arden Botanical Garden seeks to confront the scarcity of public parks and open areas in the country. This is aligned with the World Health Organization's recommendation of access to at least 9 square meters (sqm) of public parks and open spaces per person to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Currently, Metro Manila has 200 hectares of parks, giving only 0.2 sqm of public parks and open spaces per person, falling significantly short of the 9-sqm target.

"There is a need for new towns and cities that are organized around parks, plazas, open and green spaces. This is the template that we are using for Arden Botanical Garden," says Alcazaren.

In the years ahead, Arden Botanical Estate will continue to take form and redefine the country's landscape, leading the way in sustainable development.