Nuvali’s green revolution: Spurring sustainable growth in Laguna
Fifteen years since its development, Nuvali, the master-planned mixed-use eco-city by Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), continues to be one of the biggest economic drivers of the province of Laguna, all while maintaining a complementing blend of sustainable and lifestyle components for residents and businesses alike.
Laguna, known for its rich history, has also gained recognition for its thriving business sector. Along this, there is also a green revolution transforming three major cities in Laguna into sustainable eco-cities.
Ayala Land’s largest estate and eco-city, Nuvali, which encompasses cities of Santa Rosa, Calamba and Cabuyao, is not just changing the landscape—it’s reshaping the future of urban living in the Philippines. By setting new benchmarks, Nuvali is turning Laguna into a model for sustainable development, inspiring other cities throughout the country. This ambitious endeavor is reshaping the future and paving the way for a more environmentally conscious society.
From Agriculture to Industrialization
The cities of Santa Rosa, Calamba, and Cabuyao, were once primarily reliant on agriculture and small-scale family businesses. But their landscape underwent a significant transformation during the 1980s with the advent of industrialization. This shift brought about a new synergy to the local economies through both local and foreign investments.
Over the following decades, these municipalities experienced rapid growth, propelling them from municipalities to full-fledged cities. Their increasing incomes played a pivotal role in elevating them to the status of first-class cities.
From the 1990s to the 2000s, Laguna’s provincial revenue income grew exponentially due in part to the influx of manufacturing and real estate developments. In the “Lion City of South Luzon,” Santa Rosa alone, the economy shifted from agriculture- to industry-based within a decade.
Today, the city is home to some of the biggest multinational corporations and the most coveted mixed-use real estate projects including Ayala Land’s largest eco-city, the 2,400-hectare estate Nuvali launched in the late 2000s.
A closer look at Laguna’s economic boom
Fueling Laguna’s economic engine
Nuvali, along with other developments, helped bolster local employment through the creation of thousands of jobs. With the introduction of high-value properties, a real estate boom soon followed, subsequently enticing populations to set root there, facilitating the need for the establishment of top-tier schools and universities within its vicinity.
Because of these, local annual revenue incomes from Santa Rosa, Calamba, and Cabuyao grew from P200 million each at the start of the new millennium to close to P1 billion respectively by 2010.
And it is still continuing to grow with the third wave of economic influx brought about by information technology companies and startups, forging a future-ready city. Yet, Nuvali has maintained its appeal. Fifteen years after its inception, it remains synonymous with progressive development in the south, grounded in its vision of a recreation-focused and eco-friendly lifestyle.
A haven for residents and businesses
Today, it continues to keep up with the city’s ever-evolving nature. The estate moves toward its mission to become CALABARZON’s regional growth center. On the real estate front, it offers a diverse range of living options with over 20,000 residential units by Ayala Land’s residential brands AyalaLand Premier, Alveo, Avida, and Amaia, and 356 hotel rooms at Seda Hotel.
Its business potential is highlighted by prime commercial lots available in the upcoming East Bloc district and the low-density Central Bloc neighborhood. Strategically located retail and office spaces, along with business process outsourcing buildings, provide rich opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors aiming to break into new markets in the south.
Nuvali has stayed true to its promise to its residents: a life lived in proximity and in harmony with nature, a callback to the vision Ayala Land had when they first journeyed towards creating this vibrant community in the early 2000s.
Harmonious blend of sustainable living communities and nature
Expanded recreational and community-first open and green spaces make healthy and engaged residents, which is why Nuvali has always integrated these into its properties. There’s the Ayala Malls’ Solenad lifestyle mall for shopping, dining, and entertainment; the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts, promoting sports and fostering community-building; the Nuvali Driving Range designed to be a multi-purpose hub for the community; which also double as tourist destinations, bringing in more options and character to the storied address in the south.
A standout attraction at Nuvali is the highly anticipated annual “Fountain of Lights” show, a hallmark of the holiday season. This popular tradition has flourished in recent years, drawing crowds to experience a display of light projections, soundscapes, and water elements. The show transforms the space into a vibrant, immersive spectacle, creating an atmosphere that fosters community engagement and spreads holiday cheer. Its success underscores Nuvali’s commitment to offering unique, high-quality experiences that resonate with residents and visitors alike.
All of these are seamlessly integrated through Ayala Land’s masterful urban planning, where key support facilities including prestigious schools like Xavier, Miriam, and Everest Academy, retail/commercial establishments such as S&R, Landers, Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, Uniqlo and soon, MerryMart, and Healthway Hospital are incorporated into the master plan.
Nuvali is a thriving hub south of Metro Manila, offering convenient access for residents, businesses, students, and professionals traveling to and from major central business districts like Makati. Nuvali’s transportation infrastructure also supports its growth ambitions.
The estate benefits from its well-connected network of roads linked to major thoroughfares such as the South Luzon Expressway and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX). Commuting is made more convenient with P2P buses connecting directly to Makati and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Sustainability at Its Core
Amid these advancements, Ayala Land remains steadfast in its commitment to its original vision of creating the country’s first and largest eco-city. Since 2008, Ayala Land has been future-proofing Nuvali through advanced sustainable initiatives, such as allocating 50 percent of land to open spaces and nature reserves, implementing rainwater collection systems, introducing water recycling facilities and promoting community-centric mobility alternatives to encourage eco-friendly transportation.
In addition, the EV Charging Station at Nuvali is part of ALI’s commitment to sustainability through encouraging eco-friendly travel, sustainable transportation and reducing emissions.
A Model for the Future
As Nuvali continues to evolve, its impact on Laguna—and the Philippines—becomes increasingly significant. This eco-city exemplifies what urban development can achieve when sustainability and innovation are prioritized. Ayala Land’s Nuvali stands as a testament to how thoughtful urban planning can drive transformative change, proving that cities can thrive while nurturing both people and the planet.
Looking ahead, it’s clear: Ayala Land isn’t just transforming Laguna—it’s leading the way toward a more sustainable Philippines, one eco-friendly innovation at a time.
