The new standard of living is fully integrated
Integrated communities and townships are considered an ideal solution to modern living demands.
These well-planned developments offer a self-sustaining “live-work-play” environment that enhances quality of life through proximity to essential services such as schools, healthcare, and retail. They provide greater convenience, high levels of safety and security, and a more sustainable living experience.
As modern living becomes more demanding, the opportunity to save time, money, and effort on daily tasks and necessities has become a welcome solution for better living.
Industry experts believe that investing in integrated townships yields high returns and attracts buyers seeking a simple, holistic lifestyle.
A 2022 PwC study, Emerging Trends in Real Estate (Asia Pacific), noted growing demand for space in high quality gated communities focused on health and wellness, including rising interest in horizontal gated communities in the Philippines.
Against this backdrop, integrated townships are increasingly viewed as practical responses to the challenges brought about by urbanization. Here are some of outstanding integrated townships around the world.
Bandar Sri Sendayan
Malaysia
Bandar Sri Sendayan is a first class township developed by Matrix Concepts Group, one of Malaysia’s top township developers.
Located in the Greater Klang Valley, this self-contained lifestyle community is part of the wider Malaysia Vision Valley integrated economic region.
The township is home to a range of lifestyle amenities, recreational facilities, and educational institutes, including the Sendayan Merchant Square, the Sendayan Metro Park, the d’Tempat Country Club, as well as Carnelian Park, and Matrix Global Schools. At the heart of the township sits Sendayan MetroPark, Bandar Sri Sendayan’s main retail hub with more than 100 outlets.
More than 13,000 units—including single-story villas, two-story link houses, and semi-detached bungalows—have already been completed, with plans afoot to add a further 8,000 homes in the coming years.
Residents have access to a premier clubhouse with an Olympic-sized pool, gym, badminton, tennis and squash courts, bowling alley, and aqua gym. Sendayan X-Park, which is adjacent to the club, offers extreme sports activities like go-carts, paintball, and BMX tracks.
The nearby Sendayan TechValley also targets
businesses focused on sustainability and renewable resources.
Aspern Seestadt
Austria
Aspern Seestadt is one of Europe’s largest urban development areas that aims to combine living, working, culture, and leisure. It is an emerging “city-in-a-city” located in the northeast of Vienna.
A former airfield site, this district boasts of high quality housing for more than 25,000 people and over 20,000 job availability in the township. Educational institutions are also being built step by step.
In Seestadt, nature and relaxation are prioritized. Half of the district is reserved for open space, with 19.5 ha dedicated solely to the lake and the first five parks.
These well planned open spaces create a balanced life—right in the city and yet surrounded by greenery. The lake is the heart of Seestadt and makes the unique interplay of urban life and nature tangible.
This integrated community also supports local shops, markets, and family-run restaurants that make shopping and dining a relaxed experience. With direct metro train line connection, ease of travel and accessibility are also not a problem in Seestadt which aims to be an
international business location and a vibrant living environment.
Melbourne Square
Australia
Melbourne Square is a mixed-use development located in the Southbank district of Melbourne.
This property offers a city address unrivaled for the breadth of its amenity and sense of community. First-class amenities at Melbourne Square include a retail center, dining precinct, and extensive parklands with cascading water features and piazzas.
With a full-line Woolworths supermarket and childcare center already in service, the development continues to take shape as the only Southbank development with a 3,700-sqm public park, residential towers, commercial centers, and quality educational institutions.
Melbourne Square features six towers ranging from 38 to 73 levels in height.
The $490 million Stage One of Melbourne Square comprises a striking pair of residential towers situated above an eight-level retail podium including specialty stores, cafes and a supermarket. The high-rise towers span 54 levels and 69 levels and together provide a total of 1,043 residential apartments.
Sources: PwC, melbournesquare.com, multiplex.global, sendayan.com.my, aspern-seedstadt.at.en, 4cities.eu, asiapropertyawards.com, embassygroup.com, knowyourbuilding.com
