Development in respect for environment
By Dinh Dung in HCMC
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| A model facility in the show village of the Ecolakes project in Binh Duong Province - Photo: Khanh Linh |
Green values and landscapes have become a norm for designs of many property projects as for their developers, these values will make their projects more beautiful and also given them an edge over others.
As living standards are improving, homebuyers tend to care more about their living environment. So, eco-friendly and harmony-with-nature designs, energy saving projects or green buildings are what home salespersons often refer to
as added values.
Aware of the latest housing market trend, SP Setia Berhad, a Malaysian property developer, has teamed up with a local firm in the southern province of Binh Duong to form a joint venture called SetiaBecamex responsible for developing EcoLakes.
SetiaBecamex JSC is spending US$620 million to develop a 226-hectare site into an environmentally friendly township with some 10,000 homes. “EcoLakes is positioned as an eco-sanctuary with a mission to balance modern living and respect for the environment,” said Khoo Teck Chong, general director of the company.
Khoo boasted the town would have a well-designed landscape that prioritizes the equilibrium between the recreational and conservation needs, yields a town park, and other recreational features open to the community.
Using the findings of the Environmental Impact Study, the topographical and drainage studies and extensive inputs from a range of consultants, the development master plan and the construction work plan have been designed specifically to maintain the topographical profile, minimize pollution and protect natural habitats and ecosystems, he said.
He said the project’s development steps were being taken in a way that has least impact on the environment. At every stage of development, measures will be taken to avoid causing dust and noise pollution for nearby residents and allow indigenous wildlife to rehabilitate their habitats and the ecosystem to self-balance.
Khoo said topographical studies had been made to reduce earth cutting and channeling surface water run-offs to retention ponds and building silt-retention traps at the rivers to prevent pollution in the waterways.
The company’s activities and approach are reflected in the appropriate acronym “ECO”, of which “E” is for Environment, “C” for Community and “O” for Organization, he noted.
“We are committed to building sustainability into every aspect of our business, focusing on the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” he said, adding although the company was new to this role, it would share its passion with other corporations and individuals because all people have to work together to protect the planet in the face of climate change and other environmental threats.
That EcoLakes is an eco sanctuary adds greater value to not just the township but also the whole community. The resulting conservation initiatives will become a source of awareness and education for future generations, and the development will provide opportunities for the local residents to benefit from wildlife conservation.
“I think a sustainable development will be key feature for all future developments,” Khoo said, and the company is eagerly looking for next developments here.
The Saigon Times Daily