THE BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. (JOIN) yesterday signed an agreement with Singapore consultancy firm Surbana Jurong for complementary planning of the New Clark City.

Under the agreement, signed in Cebu on Feb. 12, Surbana Jurong will assist BCDA and JOIN in drafting the development management framework, design standard guidelines and environmental guidelines to complement the master plan of New Clark City.

“Surbana Jurong will also help in utilizing public-private partnerships to entice investors to New Clark City. It will also advise in the implementation plan of pioneer developers in New Clark City such as Filinvest Land, Inc.’s mixed-use industrial real estate developments, and MTD Capital Berhad’s National Government Administrative Center,” BCDA said in a statement.

“It will also establish the framework of a smart city concept that will have fully integrated infrastructure and utilities for power, water, sewerage, information and communication technology (ICT), security, and traffic management,” it added.

BCDA said the collaboration “marks the full implementation” of the plan of New Clark City project, based on the Master Development Plan developed by BCDA and JOIN, in partnership with urban planning and engineering firms AECOM, Nippon Koei, and Philkoei International Incorporated.

The New Clark City in Tarlac will feature mixed-use real estate developments for housing, a national government administrative center, and an agro-industrial park, among others. Phase 1 of the project is expected to be completed in 2022.

Surbana Jurong is a wholly owned company of Temasek Holdings Singapore formed through the merger of renowned urban planning and affordable housing leader Surbana International Consultants, and industrialization corporation Jurong International. It has 50 years of experience in the development of Singapore’s urban landscape.

The agreement signing was led by BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Vivencio Dizon, JOIN President and Chief Executive Officer Takuma Hatano, and Surbana Jurong Group Chief Executive Officer Wong Heang Fine. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

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