Design and strategy take center stage in Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2024’s inaugural event, dubbed “Good Design. Good Business. Summit,” organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) at the City Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu on June 14, 2024.
[The] Good Design. Good Business. Summit, which we align to our agenda of developing an innovative and creative culture, will be a knowledge platform, a strong inspiration from the wealth of knowledge and experience that our esteemed speakers and panelists bring to the table.
Regan Rex King
Overall chairman of CBM 2024
Attended by about 300 participants, the summit underscores the critical role of design and strategic planning in establishing a robust business framework with industry leaders and experts renowned for their portfolio of successful projects in the fields of citymaking, hospitality, food and beverage, and creative strategy.
“[The] Good Design. Good Business. Summit, which we align to our agenda of developing an innovative and creative culture, will be a knowledge platform, a strong inspiration from the wealth of knowledge and experience that our esteemed speakers and panelists bring to the table,” cites Regan Rex King, the overall chairman of CBM 2024.
King also highlighted that everyone involved—sponsors, partners, business owners, and even the government—will for sure find value in the current spectacle. It also intends to spark inspiration, may it be for flourishing businesses and MSMEs, to make meaningful initiatives, though Cebu is already in a vibrant state.
The summit’s success reaffirmed Cebu’s position as a hub for entrepreneurial excellence and forward-thinking initiatives in business development. Among the talking points are as follows:
A glimpse of Cebu City in the future
Officer-in-Charge of Cebu City’s Planning Development Office, Architect Joseph Michael P. Espina, unveiled the visionary blueprint for Cebu City’s future growth and transformation committed to integrating creative and innovative solutions into key urban areas, aiming to propel Cebu City towards sustainable development.
“Our contention is that designing a good environment will result in good business and of course, the good of the people,” cites Espina during his talk at the Good Design. Good Business. Summit for CBM 2024.
This was further discussed by Acting Cebu City Mayor, Hon. Raymund Alvic Garcia, saying “Cebu City has always been a hub for innovation, creativity, and talent. With our rich culture and heritage and dynamic population, Cebu is the perfect place to invest in creative entertainment industries.”
The strategic plans emphasize holistic urban planning that addresses the city’s evolving needs while preserving its cultural heritage and natural beauty and promoting creativity through the establishment of a Creative District. By cementing a conducive environment for art and innovation, Cebu City aims to attract investments, enhance infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Water sustainability for urban development
The urgent need to assess and improve the current status of the marine ecosystem and water supply conditions was highlighted by Atty. Jes Anthony N. Garcia, the Senior Vice President for Infrastructure at Vivant Corporation, during his talk at CBM 2024’s Good. Design. Good Business. Summit. He amplified the critical importance of water sustainability in promoting development in the entirety of Cebu, including the city, its neighboring cities, and the province.
“As we drive Cebu forward, it is crucial to address one of the most pressing yet overlooked issues of our time, and that is waste water sustainability. It is often overlooked by many that together, with the benefit of consuming and using clean water, comes the responsibility of properly treating waste water so that the natural water cycle can continue in a sustainable manner for generations to come,” exclaims Garcia.
Garcia also introduced ongoing efforts and initiatives by Vivant Corporation to promote sustainable water management practices. He stressed the corporation’s commitment to ensuring the resilience of Cebu City’s water resources amidst growing urban demands and environmental challenges.
While Cebu’s economy is in continuous growth, effective water management by properly safeguarding our water resources and protecting marine life should be given a premium to further its development, and this also forges the city to be in a stronger position to ensure the well-being of communities.
Necessity of energy security and equity for sustainability
Emphasizing the concept of a just transition, Chief Operating Officer of AboitizPower Thermal Business Group’s Thermal Operated Assets, Ronaldo Ramos, underscores the need to observe a balanced and inclusive approach to energy management in fostering sustainable development within populated areas.
“As we embark in this journey towards a sustainable energy landscape, collaboration is paramount, in fact, it is the [key] of our success. It’s the synergy of the stakeholders, from generation to distribution, to the customers and also our government leaders that we will be able to unlock fully the potential of the city of Cebu,” Ramos proudly points out.
He also emphasized Aboitiz Power’s commitment to integrating renewable energy sources and innovative technologies to drive urban sustainability and resilience and reintroduced the role of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors in achieving these goals, coupled with initiatives advocating for policies that prioritize environmental stewardship and social inclusivity.
Building cities harmoniously
Architect William Ti Jr., Principal Architect of WTA Architecture and Design Studio and the prominent keynote speaker on citymaking, particularly stressed the importance of flexible zoning through regulations that can accommodate evolving city landscapes, strategic urban planning, and mindful population management in creating harmonious cities.
“Our cities should be built for human needs. We should shape it according to the way we move, according to our social aspects, [and] according to what we want to do in our everyday lives,” said Architect Ti in his talk during the Good Design. Good Business. Summit
He also said that allowing cities to be shaped by social needs has great potential to be richer as it no longer exists for a singular purpose nor is it strictly defined, but is pliable and flexible, thus sustainable in future circumstances.
In a nutshell, to build a city requires sensitivity to a lot of factors, but when done with the mindset of building “human society” rather than simply for commercial and business purposes, it is guaranteed to persist.
The Good Design. Good Business. Summit encapsulates the relevance of design through purposeful insights in citymaking, hospitality, food and beverage, and creative strategy.
Get a chance to brim your mind with meaningful talks with experts and productive activities lined up for Cebu Business Month 2024 by visiting their official Facebook page.
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