Urban Strategies for BPO Success: Insights from Aseana City

In Metro Manila, the workday often begins and ends with long commutes. Most Filipino workers spend more than an hour traveling each way, a reality that according to the Asian Development Bank, cuts productivity by as much as 30%. The costs are tangible: higher absenteeism, faster turnover, and diminished output. For industries like IT-BPM, where consistency and performance are critical, this is a costly status quo.

The 15-Minute City

Aseana City offers a different model. Developed by D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (DMW), the 107-hectare bayfront district is built on the principles of the “15-minute city” — a place where work, home, school, healthcare, and leisure are all within a short walk. More than an urban planning concept, it is a framework for productivity, well-being, and long-term business resilience.

In Aseana, the masterplan integrates offices, residences, retail, green spaces, and transit in a connected network. The streets prioritize people, with wide arcaded sidewalks, elevated walkways, and the Aseana Eco Jeep loop linking every block.

At the heart of this network is Parqal, a five-hectare pedestrian-oriented development whose name blends “park” and “kalye.” Its covered arcades, landscaped promenades, and public plazas make it possible to move between offices, shops, and open spaces without battling heat or rain. This human-scale environment is deliberate; by making the essentials accessible on foot, Aseana City gives back the time and energy that would otherwise be lost to traffic.

A Complete Urban Ecosystem

Life in Aseana unfolds within a balanced mix of amenities. Large-format retailers like S&R and Landers Superstore complement an expanding roster of dining and shopping options. The forthcoming St. Luke’s Medical Center Aseana will bring world-class healthcare to the estate. Education is also well represented, with Nord Anglia International School and Junior Starters School serving families who live and work in the district.

Residential options include condominiums like Pixel Residences and Midpark Towers that are already home to a growing community and Workpads, an affordable 200-unit co-living development, that is set to commence construction in 2025. Housing options within walking distance of offices give companies an edge in retaining talent while offering employees the convenience and balance of living close to work.

Business Strategy Meets Urban Strategy

In today’s competitive labor market, location is no longer defined solely by square meters. It is shaped by the daily experience of the people who power an enterprise. A 15-minute city like Aseana transforms that experience, turning commutes into walks, transactions into connections, and workplaces into communities.

Here in Aseana, business strategy and urban strategy converge. Companies are not simply choosing an address; they are embedding themselves in a connected environment that supports the full spectrum of professional and personal life.

For Aseana office inquiries: leasing@aseanaholdingsinc.com

For Aseana residential inquiries: inquiries@midparktowers.com

References:

www.adb.org

https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/philippines-country-traffic/