The foundation of the Mall of Asia Complex was built to be safe and secure because SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers incorporates disaster resiliency measures in every project, with the MOA Complex as one of its biggest investments.
SM Prime collaborated with a team
of local and international experts to ensure the feasibility of both water and
land before the MOA complex was built and once finalized, Belgium’s renowned coastal
development construction company, Jan de Nul, developed it from
the ground up.
The reputable Jan de Nul made sure
the terrain was stable and the complex’s roads were made resistant to
earthquakes and erosion, in accordance with the National Structural Code of the
Philippines and approved by both the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the
National Government.
Three important disaster
resiliency features were used in protecting the Complex and the coastal
community of Pasay from tides and waves: One, a three-kilometer seawall built
to stand against liquefaction; two, a meter-high inverted wave return to serve
as defense against high waves; and three, a drainage channel to prevent floods during
storm surges. This was put to test when Typhoon Pedring hit in 2011, and the
Mall of Asia Complex was spared from destructive waves and flooding that submerged
many other surrounding establishments.
As an added feature, both the
Complex’s main road and all its structures are elevated 4 meters above the parameters
set by the National Building Code. Pilings strengthened its foundation and
greatly improved its soil bearing capacity.
Family fun, leisure and
entertainment are the objectives behind the awe-inspiring grandeur of SM Mall
of Asia, but this vision is founded on a commitment to safety and a secure
foundation throughout the Complex. This is a firm philosophy of SM Prime
Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Hans T. Sy, a champion for disaster
resilience, who continuously invests in DRR and in allocating 10% of the company’s expenditure
for DRR in all of SM’s infrastructures throughout the country.
“Today, disasters have become more
frequent and severe. The government and the private sector must work together
to find solutions for greater resiliency. SM prime as a responsible property
developer places Disaster Risk Reduction as one of its core strategies. It
simply makes good business sense.” emphasizes Mr Hans Sy. He believes that not only is DRR an effective way to grow the
business but it protects the communities where SM is located amid the
increasing risks of climate change.
Today, the MOA
Complex is a bustling realization of Mr. Henry Sy Sr.’s grand vision for it to
become both a premiere integrated leisure destination with a complimentary business
and lifestyle district – one of the country’s truly revolutionary mixed-use
developments, and a thriving example of disaster risk reduction at work.
The next time you
visit the MOA Complex – whether it is to visit the world’s largest IKEA, or to
view the sunset from the top of the MOA Eye, or to simply shop and dine with
your loved ones – it will be good to know that SM Prime has ensured your safety
and security from the time the development was conceptualized and opened in
2006.. to today and tomorrow.
SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of
the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, is committed to providing
safe and sustainable spaces for its stakeholders. Its development
strategy is anchored on the responsible use of resources. In the communities it
serves, it is able to promote resource conservation, environmental protection,
and disaster resiliency by implementing solutions for water, waste, and energy
management.
SM Prime is a key player in the
SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities
through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a
green culture.
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