ULI Philippines, in partnership with De La Salle University (DLSU), Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, is creating the first ULI Library outside the United States in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Manila. Named the BGC–ULI Public Library for Urban Sustainability (BU+PLUS), the new facility will be located on the covered roof-deck penthouse area of the DLSU Rufino Campus. The library also fronts onto a large open-air patio area that can accommodate up to 80 people for events. The library is scheduled to open by the third quarter of 2019.
When complete, the library will provide seating for up to 30 users and offer printed and digital material from the Asia Pacific region and the Americas. In particular, ULI Global and the Centre for Liveable Cities (Singapore) have donated a comprehensive selection of physical books and real estate materials to support library content. Long term, the plan is to focus on developing the collection digitally, with access via an in-house server and over the internet. The new facility also will serve as a workplace for two ULI staffers who have begun providing layout and marketing services to the ULI Asia Pacific headquarters and national councils around the Asia Pacific region.
Envisioned as a hub for information and idea exchange for real estate students and professionals in both the country and the region, BU+PLUS will be a landmark project for ULI in the Asia Pacific. The project is a collaboration among multiple stakeholders who champion the same priorities: AIDEA, an all-Filipino design firm that is now one of the country’s largest design practices, designed the library under principal Jojo Tolentino; CWC International, a multiproduct company specialising in interior and architectural furnishing products, is the furniture partner.
The goal of the ULI Library is to become an important catalyst in promoting best practices, conducting research, and sharing content across the real estate industry on the local, regional, and global levels. The facility will double as a venue where ULI members and real estate practitioners can share insights and collaborate, and as the headquarters of ULI Philippines, in line with the organization’s mission of “Building better cities, together.”
