USD 220,000 in prize money was presented to the best submissions from Asia Pacific in the Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects. The competition run by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction in collaboration with five of the world’s leading technical universities aims to promote sustainable approaches to the built environment.

This project is given merit primarily because of the effort to directly involve local stakeholders in the decision making process for a regional development plan as well as its implementation. Also significant are the negotiations already made with government authorities to insure the quality of the “resident’s concept.” Evidenced is a commitment and willingness to confront difficult issues directly in the attempt to provide for social equity.

A significant aspect of this entry from the Philippines is the effort to directly involve local stakeholders in the decision- making process of the development. Another merit of the proposal is the negotiations made with government officials to guarantee the quality of the collective concept of the residents. Such an aim for social equity is praiseworthy. Also merited is the call for regionally sourced materials and recycling of material resources. Specifications are given for increasing the overall performance of the landscape.