SM Baguio City will undergo a major one-year redevelopment program starting this month.

The plan will not only be a catalyst for employment, business and tourism opportunities in the city, but also highlight SM’s commitment to the environment.

As part of SM Baguio’s adherence to a sustainable environment, the company has partnered with the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Its involvement with the USGBC is a testament to the green building movement, demonstrating a shared conviction that can improve the health of the planet, economy, and communities through a transformation of building design, construction and operation.

As a member of USGBC, the mall is committed to the common mission and guiding principles of fostering a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy saving green buildings.

In line with this redevelopment, SM City Baguio has worked closely with the Baguio City government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and has received the necessary permits to re-ball and relocate 142 trees in the area.  Of the 142 trees, 80 will be planted in the mall premises and the rest will be turned over to the DENR compound for replanting.  The mall will also conduct massive tree-planting efforts in the city, also in coordination with the DENR.

Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje on Wednesday said SM Prime Holdings’ P1-billion expansion project of its mall in Baguio City was approved by the DENR upon the endorsement of concerned local government units (LGUs).

However, Paje told the BusinessMirror that since it concerns the environment, the proponents including the Baguio City LGU were specifically asked to put in place mitigating measures such as transfer through soil bawling of majority of the trees and replacement of those that inevitably would have to be cut down as part of the development.

“The decision [approving the project] rests upon the LGU.  The local government endorsed the project but since it concerns the cutting of trees, as a condition, we prescribed the transfer of the trees and the replacement of those that will be cut down. Who are we to deny such investment that will benefit the LGU and the people in general?” he said.

According to Paje, for every tree that would have to be cut down, 30 sampling trees would have to be planted by the project proponents.

“This is more than what we usually ask from project proponents in case a tree would have to be cut down for any project,” Paje said.

The expanded and renovated SM City Baguio is planned as a seven-level open-air retail, dining and entertainment destination, and will rely almost exclusively on natural ventilation for the mall’s generous public spaces.  Located at the heart of Baguio City, the expansion will mean an additional area of 76,000 square meters to the existing mall of 106,000 square meters.

A primary amenity of the expanded SM City Baguio will be an expansive Roof Garden, lushly landscaped with native and non-invasive trees and other plant materials, intermingled with numerous water features.

This roof garden will use the Green Roof Technology to create an environment for vegetation growth that is as close to the plant’s natural environment as possible even though there is no direct contact with natural ground.

The project aims to be the first mall in the country to be certified by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the internationally recognized standard for green building design and construction developed by the USGBC.  It is also designed to receive a LEED Gold Rating that requires the implementation and documentation of achievement of a minimum of 60 of the listed points, subject to the review and approval of the Green Building Council.

The center, already located in close proximity to multiple public utility facilities, will further encourage the use of energy-efficient public transit by providing an additional mall entrance along Governor Pack Road Canopies will extend from the building to the street on all frontages, additionally enhancing the experience of those arriving in means other than private automobiles.

For customers who still choose to arrive by automobile, almost 1,000 additional underground parking spaces will be provided below the expansion, removing them from public view and from surrounding streets.

By locating these spaces underground, the expansion’s impact on wooded surroundings will be reduced, as will undesirable “heat island effects” often encountered in other large shopping centers.

The interior spaces of SM City Baguio will incorporate visually dramatic views to urban and natural surroundings, allowing generous daylight to penetrate deep into the common areas of the mall and greatly reducing the need for energy-consuming artificial lighting. Where artificial lighting is needed, the mall will be using energy-conscious and efficient sources such as LED and compact fluorescent lamps.

Ceiling fans will be located throughout the public areas of SM City Baguio to efficiently increase the thermal comfort of shoppers and to supplement the center’s avoidance of artificial air conditioning.

A water reservoir will be located at the lowest level of the expansion building where it will occupy about 2,190 square meters with a capacity of 4, 380 cubic meters. This aims to alleviate problems caused by heavy rains in the drainage system within the area. Having this holding tank will give us advantages by using the accumulated water to reduce the load of water that passes through the drainage.

Park finders using LED is also incorporated in the design for customers to easily locate parking and lessen the fuel consumption.