Reimagining the city: The rise of 15-minute communities
Ayala Land is redefining urban living in the Philippines with a bold yet practical solution to everyday congestion—the 15-minute city.
Through its masterplanned estates across the country, the property developer is creating walkable communities where daily needs—from work and school to wellness and recreation—are just minutes away.
Centered on proximity
First popularized in major global cities, the 15-minute city is a development model centered on proximity, where essentials are located within a short walk or bike ride from home. It champions ease of movement, fosters local economies, and promotes healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.
In the Philippines, Ayala Land is applying this globally relevant concept to local realities, addressing chronic urban issues such as traffic, pollution, and inefficient infrastructure. Its estates—including Makati Central Business Bistrict, Bonifacio Global City, Arca South in Taguig, Nuvali in Laguna, Vermosa in Cavite, and Vertis North in Quezon City—serve as living examples of this modern urban approach.
From vision to everyday life
Nuvali shows how this principle translates into real world impact.
Designed as a green city, the estate integrates residential villages, schools, retail, offices, a hospital, and recreation areas, all connected through pedestrian-friendly pathways and bike lanes. Residents can go from home to school, the grocery, or even a lakeside park within minutes.
At Arca South, strategic location meets urban connectivity. The estate is being primed as a major transit-oriented hub with access to the upcoming Metro Manila Subway, Taguig Intra-City Bus Transit, and an intermodal transport facility. Residents, workers, and visitors will be able to navigate the estate with ease, while enjoying seamless connections to other parts of Metro Manila.
In Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City—two of the most established Ayala Land estates—the 15-minute lifestyle is already well in place. Offices, residential condominiums, retail strips, schools, and green spaces are thoughtfully integrated, enabling a live-work-play dynamic that reduces commute times and enhances quality of life.
Prioritizing health, accessibility, sustainability
In estates like Vermosa, wellness is a central theme.
Here, movement is designed into daily routines—bike lanes, jogging paths, sports facilities, and open spaces are all just steps from residential areas. The entire estate encourages an active lifestyle, making it easier for residents to stay healthy and connected with the outdoors.
At Vertis North, the urban energy of Quezon City is balanced by strategic accessibility. The estate is home to hotels, malls, offices, and open parks, all within a compact urban layout that supports foot traffic and public transport use.
Every estate is masterplanned with integrated uses–residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational—to support a self-sustaining urban environment. This reduces reliance on cars, lowers carbon emissions, and contributes to cleaner air and healthier cities.
A future-ready urban model
Ayala Land’s commitment to the 15-minute city model is part of a larger vision to design and build communities that adapt to the evolving needs of Filipino families, professionals, and businesses. By doing so, it brings back what many have lost to the urban sprawl—time, convenience, and a deeper sense of place.
In these thoughtfully developed estates, city living no longer means sacrificing well-being for convenience. Instead, it’s about enabling people to live more meaningfully—close to work, closer to nature, and closer to each other.
