BCDA, SGV launch people-first revamp of BGC master plan

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has partnered with professional services firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.) to undertake a comprehensive update of the master development plan for Bonifacio Global City (BGC), aiming to make the district more people-centered, accessible and resilient.

More than two decades after BGC’s original development framework was established, the revised plan is intended to guide the financial district’s next phase of growth while responding to evolving urban challenges, including traffic congestion, infrastructure constraints and climate risks.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang said the initiative will place stronger emphasis on open spaces, mobility and transport connectivity to ensure that BGC becomes more inclusive.

“We want to make sure that BGC continues to become more people-centric, with greater focus on open spaces, mobility, and transportation. Moving forward, we want BGC to be more open and accessible to all sectors of society,” Bingcang said.

Under the agreement, BCDA and SGV will conduct a nine-month consultation and technical study involving data-driven urban analysis, visioning workshops and engagement with stakeholders.

The process aims to align future development strategies with existing policies and infrastructure capacity.

The updated master plan will incorporate contemporary urban planning principles, including improved public spaces, enhanced streetscapes and support for active mobility such as walking and cycling.

It will also align BGC’s development framework with transit-oriented development (TOD), linking land use planning more closely with existing and planned transport systems.

A key component of the study is the review and strategic reallocation of BCDA’s gross floor area (GFA) entitlements.

BCDA said this would help match development intensity with infrastructure capacity, optimize land use and land value, and identify underutilized areas that may be developed or disposed of.

The agency said the update is necessary as BGC matures into a central business district facing increased pressure on roads and utilities, alongside the need for more inclusive and accessible mobility.

Once completed, the plan is expected to support long-term investments, generate employment and improve mobility and accessibility for workers, residents and visitors.

BCDA added that the initiative aligns with the administration’s broader socioeconomic agenda of promoting sustainable urban development, efficient land use and investment-led growth.