How signature events are building tomorrow’s cities
Developers of masterplanned communities shape the future of urban living.
Beyond building structures, however, they also ensure community engagement by creating activities and events that promote their estates or townships, build trust and credibility, forge genuine connections among residents, support the local economy, and keep local traditions alive.
Here are some examples of engaging community events and activities from different communities around the world.
Soweto Wine and Lifestyle Festival
South Africa
The Wine and Lifestyle Festival was originally designed to feature the best of Cape Town’s wines in Johannesburg’s largest township, the Soweto.
It now exhibits a combination of wine, travel destinations, and food and lifestyle products, and has become a hub for South Africa’s finest innovators. It also brings together the country’s best winemakers, artisanal chefs, designers, crafters, and entrepreneurs in a three-day festival experience.
The township, known for its trendsetting values and people, welcomes hundreds of visitors in every edition of the festival and has played a key role in shaping the wine industry and wine-drinking cultures of South Africa.
Ecopark Weekend Market
Vietnam
Nestled beyond the eastern fringes of Hanoi is one of Vietnam’s largest township developments called Ecopark.
This 500-ha masterplanned development is set to feature high rise condos, villas, office blocks, hospitals, and other social and cultural amenities on top of stretches of nature spanning some 100 ha.
More than just an impressive property development however, the green city of Ecopark is also host to numerous sites of community engagement and events.
Most prominent among them is the weekend market called EcoSunday, famous for booths by international residents in Ecopark that showcase their country’s outstanding cuisine and culture. Residents and visitors get to enjoy other things here like attiring booths dedicated to local food, handmade crafts, live music, and the delectable street food.
Petals Urban Market
Indonesia
Located in West Jakarta in Tangerang, Paramount Petals is the follow up to the successful Gading Serpong township of the award-winning Indonesian developer Paramount Land.
Paramount Petals is the company’s latest self-sustained mega project, which combines residential, commercial, civic, and lifestyle spaces in green environments spanning 300 ha. Other notable highlights include an international school, a multifaceted clubhouse, an entertainment district, and retail and sports facilities. To date, it is home to more than 500 families in over 1,000 residential units.
This year, Paramount Petals launched an activity called Petals Urban Market—a monthly program planned to be held every fourth Sunday of the month. It is open to all residents of Paramount Petals as well as those from surrounding areas. In April, it featured various community engagement activities like morning exercises and other sports activities and even a culinary bazaar.
The activities aim to foster a healthy lifestyle with the residents, strengthen community ties, and support the growth of small and local businesses in the area, showing their commitment to realizing a “one-stop living” concept for its residents, stakeholders, and business partners.
NhamFesta Food Festival
Cambodia
Home to about 15,000 residents, 7,000 business professionals, and 500 small and medium enterprises, Koh Pich has undoubtedly become one of Cambodia’s most notable township development projects.
Its greatest milestones since its establishment in 2006 include the development of the Elysée in 2018, a residence and mixed-use development inspired by the streets of Champs-Élysées, featuring cafes, specialty shops, and hotels. In 2021, it also developed its Treellion and Coconut Parks, featuring an islet with a few fishermen and farmer families.
Koh Pich is not only famous for its urban green spaces; it is also known for its community spaces where various activities and events take place.
NhamFesta Food Festival, a highly anticipated food festival, is a month-long collaborative effort held at the Elysée grounds. It is held annually and features a lineup of smaller events that bring together the rich diversity of Cambodian and international food, culture and community.
Sources: Inquirer Archives, theharrisgroup.co.uk, theeventscalendar.com, southafrica.net, joburg.org.za, asiapropertyawards.com, paramountpetals.com, exoticvoyages.com, kohpichcity.com, kiripost.com, phnompenhpost.com
