Reducing 'Green Premium' Crucial for Sustainable Cities, Say Experts

Prominent voices in the field of urban planning and sustainability have stressed the importance of making eco-friendly options more affordable and gaining the backing of the National Government to foster sustainability in cities.

Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy, President and CEO of Ayala Land, Inc., discussed the challenge of the "green premium," which represents the additional cost incurred when choosing green-labeled buildings over conventional ones. She emphasized the significance of working collectively to lower this premium, particularly in the property development sector.

"In the property development sphere, if all of us have that net-zero target, then all our suppliers need to work towards that, and all our customers will now demand that, and with that, we all have to work towards bringing down the green premium," Ms. Dy explained.

Paulo G. Alcazaren, an urban planner and landscape architect at PGAA Creative Design, pointed out that land accessibility is a primary obstacle to creating sustainable cities. He proposed that an audit of remaining government land should be conducted to ensure it's efficiently used instead of being sold off.

Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay-Campos highlighted the importance of available land resources and National Government support in the development of sustainable cities. She pointed out that certain challenges are beyond the control of local government units (LGUs), and the support of the National Government is essential, particularly in issues related to decongestion and decentralization.

Delfin Angelo C. Wenceslao, CEO of D.M. Wenceslao Group, suggested that property developers should focus on enhancing urban mobility within their projects. He cited the example of Aseana City, where strict guidelines for sidewalk sizes have been established, encouraging builders and lessees to follow suit. This approach creates a natural momentum for urban mobility improvements.

The experts stressed that making sustainable living more affordable and obtaining National Government support are pivotal steps toward achieving sustainability in urban environments.