SM to spend P1B for Baguio mall redevelopment
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The redevelopment of SM City Baguio is expected to cost more than P1 billion. This comes as SM defended its plan to relocate 142 trees (not 182 as earlier reported) in the area, as part of its mall redevelopment program.
Over the weekend, several environmental groups raised alarm over the shopping mall's plan to cut the alnus and pine trees in Baguio City.
In a statement, SM Baguio said it had worked closely with the city government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and received the permits necessary to re-ball and relocate 142 trees in the area.
Of the 142 trees, 80 trees will be planted in the SM City mall, while the 62 trees will be turned over to the DENR for replanting.
SM Baguio also said it will coordinate with the DENR on its massive tree planting efforts in Baguio.
The relocation of the 142 trees was part of SM Baguio's one-year redevelopment program, which will start this month. The company has been working with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) as it builds an "environmentally-friendly" and "green" shopping mall.
"The plan will not only be a catalyst for employment, business and tourism opportunities in the city, but also highlighted SM's commitment to the environment," it said.
Environmental groups are planning protests against SM Baguio's plan to relocate the trees, which they claimed was being done to make way for a 7-storey parking building.
Ironically, these criticisms come as SM Baguio is aiming to becoming the first mall in the Philippines to be certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED is the internationally recognized standard for green building design and construction developed by the USGBC.
Based on its plans, the renovated SM City Baguio will be a 7-level open-air retail, dining and entertainment destination (not a parking building). The redevelopment will make the mall more reliant on natural ventilation, with ceiling fans in the public areas, as the company avoids air-conditioning.
SM Baguio's renovation will add 76,000 square meters to the existing mall area of 106,000 square meters. It will have a roof garden that will make use of "Green Roof Technology" to create an environment for vegetation growth. A water reservoir will also be built in the lowest level of the expansion building, which will alleviate problems caused by heavy rains in the area.
SM Baguio will also have provide an additional 1,000 underground parking spaces, removing them from the public view and streets.
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Both are concern with Baguio
I just think that both parties (SM management and protesters)are thinking for the sake of baguio and its people.
As for protesters: They wanted the preservation of Baguio's natural beauty, trees and animals which live on the habitat.
As for SM: There goal is beautification of Baguio as stated on this site http://smsupermalls.com/smsupermalls/smbg/ which can result to attractive environment and more job opportunities for others.
Both are concerned about the welfare of the place and its people so they might as well come up with the idea which can satisfy themselves and other people living on the area.
There's a whole lot ways to beautify SM: Save lives, not faces
In creating or developing anything of great purpose, I think the very first thing that an individual or a group of person should take in to consideration is the “GENUINE” welfare of the mass. In cutting those 182 trees, did the SM Management look through the eyes of many or only through their “OWN” eyes instead? I am not judging their intentions per se. It is just that a human feels threatened by instinct if something really is threatening his life. Before saving faces, I think we should think of saving lives first. We’ve just lost hundreds of our kababayans when Sendong hit the country and the issue of illegal logging is one main factor that made the scenario a nightmare. Yes, their proposed project is legal but isn’t it that they are overpowering the voice of the mass in this situation? Why not ask the people who are the real owners of the lands which includes these trees? And aside from that, uprooting those trees and transferring them into wherever they want doesn’t assure that those trees will live. Yes, the development of SM Baguio will benefit the people in so many ways but, I don’t think it will defeat the benefit that the people will have when these trees will keep on living, giving us still the air we need and the safety that they are providing us for centuries.
These trees are the heritage of Baguio. They have given beauty not just to this mall but to Baguio as a whole more than they can imagine. There’s a whole lot more ways how to develop and beautify SM. It will not hurt to look around and save lives.
Ayala and Robinsons is much better than SM
i can't argue with that syncmyworld,
i guess you're right.
Ayala and Robinsons is much better than SM.
Robinsons Tagaytay is more fun than SM Baguio & SanAndres Market
Gokongwei's Robinsons Summit in Tagaytay is more fun than any place in Baguio today, including SM Baguio. The pine trees in Tagaytay are still okay. When there's too little development, it's like Bourne Legacy's San Andres Market. When there's too much, it's like SM Baguio.
Not everything about the environment is beautiful or beneficial. There's mosquitoes, swamps, typhoons, poisonous plants and crocodiles. It helps when the right mix of development is there, but it's harmful when it's imbalanced.
Henry Sy used to build malls in unwanted places like the former swamp in Makati or the unwanted reclaimed area in Pasay, but Henry Sy is now dying like the environment and his heirs are becoming too American. One of his sons even married an American woman even if Filipina SM sales ladies are more attractive.
In terms of planning, zoning
In terms of planning, zoning and the environment, Baguio is a complete disaster. It is a polluted, crowded and congested small city where anything goes as long as the people issuing permits get their share of the money. Baguio is a catastrophe. It is a shame really; it used to be such a beautiful and refreshing place.