The Truth About Green Cities
There is an unexpected green sanctuary along one of Metro Manila’s busiest roads.
Hidden behind the constant movement of C-5 is Parklinks, where the city’s noise gives way to tree-lined streets, generous open spaces, and an unexpected sense of calm. During an intimate tour of the Parklinks Experience Center, PhilSTAR Property experienced firsthand how the 35-hectare estate offers a different perspective on urban living.
Located where Quezon City and Pasig converge, Parklinks sits near some of Metro Manila’s busiest business districts. Yet rather than maximizing every square meter for development, the estate has chosen to preserve space for something increasingly rare in the city: nature.
A different way to build a city
Envisioned as Metro Manila’s greenest urban estate, Parklinks dedicates approximately half of its 35-hectare property to parks, open spaces, and active lifestyle amenities. At the heart of the estate is a three-hectare Central Park, complemented by riverside promenades, pedestrian-friendly streets, and a network of green corridors designed to encourage walking, recreation, and everyday interaction.
For Hans Lopez-Vito, head of brand experience & brand Strategy for corporate, estates, and residential at Ayala Land, preserving generous open spaces was a deliberate decision that shaped the estate from the very beginning. “What differentiates Parklinks is the green open spaces. Fifty percent of the land is allotted to open spaces and greenery. We take this whole idea of fresh air and a wellness lifestyle seriously because you need to back it up,” he said.
That vision required making a deliberate decision not to maximize buildable land. “It is easier to build structures on every square meter, but the vision of Eton and Ayala Land is to preserve the greenery. The premium we put on it may be a penalty to the developer, but it is a benefit to buyers. We are hoping that the greenery itself will command a premium over time.”
Arch. Adrian Chua, chief operating officer of Eton Properties, said Parklinks was conceived with a different vision for urban development—one where green space is not simply an amenity, but the foundation of the community.
“When we started, our battle cry was to establish Parklinks as the greenest estate in urban Manila,” he said. “We also found ourselves aligned with what Gen Z is looking for today: walkability, greenery, and, hopefully, fresher air because of all the planting we are doing throughout the community.”
Rather than setting aside a single park within the development, Chua said nature was intended to shape the entire estate. “The whole estate becomes the park.”
Where connections create community
For Chua, Parklinks was designed to create stronger connections between people and the places they use every day. “We envision Parklinks as a modern extension of the gated communities in this area,” he said. “You have access to Parklinks Mall, ground-floor lifestyle retail, and schools within the area.”
That vision is supported by a master plan that extends beyond the landmark Parklinks Bridge. Four additional connections are planned to improve accessibility and strengthen links with surrounding communities, reinforcing the estate’s role as a new urban hub.
The community itself is also beginning to take shape. Multiple Intelligence International School is set to open its new campus, while Parklinks Mall, Casa Ibarra, residential developments, and new retail offerings continue to expand the estate’s live-work-learn-play ecosystem.
That same philosophy is reflected in the newly opened Parklinks Experience Center. Rather than serving as a traditional showroom, Lopez-Vito said it was envisioned “almost as a community center where people who live here can relax and meet friends,” offering visitors an early glimpse of the kind of neighborhood Parklinks aims to create.
As Metro Manila continues to grow denser, Parklinks presents a different way of thinking about urban development. Rather than measuring success by the number of buildings that rise within an estate, it suggests that lasting value comes from creating places where nature, connectivity, and community are planned together from the very beginning.
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