"We believe that safety is the cornerstone of thriving communities." ~Mr. Hans Sy, SM Prime Executive Committee Chairman and co-chair of ARISE Philippines under the United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Resilience (UNDRR)
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| The wave return feature redirects water back into the bay, providing protection from high waves |
A 67-hectare landmark along Manila Bay, the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex exemplifies SM Prime Holdings' dedication to using innovation and technology for community protection and disaster resilience across all of its projects.
Created by the Philippine government as a pioneering mixed-use development on reclaimed land, it has become a symbol of safety and stability, realizing the goal of its founder, Henry Sy, Sr., to create “a destination that brings joy and opportunities to millions.”
Mr. Hans Sy, the chairman of the SM Prime Executive Committee and co-chair of ARISE Philippines under the United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Resilience (UNDRR), builds on his father's vision by stressing the significance of developing resilient, sustainable spaces that put community well-being and safety first.
He is the first Filipino elected to the UNDRR ARISE Global Board, which is evidence of this belief.
ARISE Philippines, the nation's leading private sector alliance with 157 members, was founded in 2015 with the goal of creating a resilient and prosperous future. The organization, the first country network created by the UNDRR, seeks to reduce the number of fatalities caused by disasters, make sure assets and investments are risk-informed, and construct infrastructure that can withstand both man-made and natural hazards.
The MOA Complex's design, which integrates state-of-the-art disaster resilience features to guard against the particular difficulties presented by its coastal location, demonstrates SM Prime's dedication to resilience.
SM Prime hired the knowledge of Jan de Nul, a well-known coastal development firm in Belgium, prior to the start of construction. Their thorough investigations and analyses, which took into consideration the intricate relationship between land and sea, guaranteed the project's feasibility. The company carried out risk reviews that included the following elements in order to build a resilient structure: identify, analyze, plan, mitigate, and monitor. The foundation for a structure that could withstand the test of time and the elements was established by this painstaking pre-engineering phase, which was finished in 2006.
Soil erosion was one of the main issues that was addressed. The group put in place an advanced wick drain system to counteract this. By serving as channels for pore water in soft, compressible soil, these drains successfully stop erosion and guarantee the stability of the ground. Despite being more expensive than conventional techniques, this technology offers a far higher level of protection, especially against liquefaction during seismic activity.
Through creative foundation design, the risk of ground liquefaction—a phenomenon where soil weakens and acts like a liquid during earthquakes—was also reduced. The complex has strong resistance against liquefaction and seismic activity thanks to driven and bored piles and careful excavation techniques.
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Reference
photo for the driven piles methodology, which protects against soil
liquefaction and provides strength against earthquakes. |
The complex has a strong seawall to guard against storm surges, which are a frequent hazard in coastal areas. A wave return feature reinforces this seawall, which is 4.5 meters above the Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) mark. High waves are less likely to affect the complex because of this inverted structure, which redirects them back towards the sea. Flood prevention during storm surges is further improved by a drainage channel network.
These features were critical in protecting the complex during Typhoon Pedring (international name Nesat) in 2011, as well as all subsequent severe weather disturbances this year, where the MOA Complex emerged largely unscathed while assisting nearby areas to avoid being inundated with prolonged deep flooding.
The resilience of the complex is not limited to its foundation. To further reduce the risk of flooding, the main road and all buildings are raised well above the National Building Code specifications. Earthquake Recording Instruments (ERI) installed in buildings track seismic activity and offer useful information for disaster preparedness.
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| The Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex higher seawall and elevation prevent damage to the structure from rising sea levels. (Inset) In addition, the drainage channels along the MOA Complex are wide and deep enough to fit two buses side by side, helping prevent flooding from storm surges |
Another crucial factor is the buildings' own structural soundness. For example, the roof deck is built to support heavy loads, guaranteeing that it can be a secure haven in case of an emergency. The exterior façade consists of concrete masonry walls with Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS), which offer superior insulation and can withstand wind speeds of up to 270 kph. Because of their dedication to safety, SM Supermalls, such as the SM MOA, become community safe havens in times of emergency.
SM Prime's commitment to disaster resilience is a proactive approach ingrained in every aspect of its business operations, not just a reaction to possible threats. Realizing that investing in safety is an investment in the future, the company automatically devotes a sizeable amount of its capital expenditure to disaster resilience research and development.
In addition to its contributions to the nation's economic development and the establishment of vibrant lifestyle destinations, SM Prime has a long history of being a responsible real estate developer. This reputation is based on its steadfast dedication to safeguarding the lives and means of subsistence of the communities it serves. A strong representation of this dedication and a ray of hope in the face of natural disaster is the MOA Complex.
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