Monterrazas de Cebu: Designed for green living

MANILA, Philippines - Recognizing the current state of the environment and the opportunity to address it, Cebu real estate developer Genvi Development Corp. incorporates green planning into its vision for progressive Cebuano living.

Genvi president Augusto Villalon says that going green has always been part of the company’s plans. “We believe that present environmental concerns have become a vital component of urban planning, so we see to it that these are treated as key considerations in property development.”

Proof of this ‘green’ commitment is Monterrazas de Cebu, the company’s first real estate offering. Located at the heart of Cebu City, the venture introduces the concept of an integrated master-planned community — an urban township with varied residential, institutional and commercial clusters — that sits over 300 meters above sea level, offering magnificent views of Cebu, Mactan and Bohol.

In terms of Monterrazas’ design, construction and policies, several sustainable and green measures have already been put into place. For instance, the development boasts of a sound erosion control plan, featuring the use of coco mats with vetiver grass, which is said to be an effective ally against erosion in warmer climates.

“Vetiver grass helps stabilize soil because it generally grows downward—from 2 to 4 meters down—and its roots bind to the soil, which keeps them from getting dislodged,” Villalon explains. He adds that vetiver grass, with its ability to block surface runoff by slowing water flow velocity and increasing soil absorption, also enforces effective flood mitigation and risk management.

Monterrazas de Cebu is also the first in the Philippines to make use of a detention pond system, a drainage control measure that further aids flood protection by temporarily storing excess runoff.

Green principles also come into play in Monterrazas’ landscape design, which features a series of large and small green open spaces that encourage close contact with nature.

For inquiries, contact Genvi Development Corp. at +6332-2361515, or visit http://www.monterrazasdecebu.com.