Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative 2nd Annual Forum in Manila from March 11-13

Manila, Philippines (March 11, 2014) —Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) will convene leading global experts in Manila, Philippines from March 11-13, 2014 for the 2^nd Annual Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI) Forum. An invitation-only group of urban sustainability experts from across the world will gather to share and showcase best practices and new approaches for creating livable, sustainable cities across the Asia-Pacific region that will survive and thrive in the face of climate change and extreme weather. The urgency of preparing for climate change is especially significant in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan and its reconstruction efforts.

Forum speakers include Secretary Panfilo Lacson, Philippines’ Presidential Assistant for Recovery and Rehabilitation, Sir Robert Parker, the former Mayor of Christchurch, New Zealand, and Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, who heads the Presidential Delivery Unit for Development Monitoring and Oversight in Indonesia.

“Despite the geographical vulnerability and environmental challenges in this age of climate change, the Asia Pacific region has never been more resilient,” said Carlos S. Rufino, Chair of ULI Philippines. “Everyone here in the Philippines is privileged to host this prominent conference given our own most recent experience with Typhoon Haiyan. We are confident that the PCSI Forum will serve as a platform for key leaders to engage in constructive dialogue, share valuable experiences, and practical solutions to promote international partnerships, help each other become more prepared and plan together sustainable and resilient communities for the next generations.”

Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Chair, Asia Society Philippine Foundation, said: “The Forum also plays a key role in the upcoming Philippines “Livable and Resilient Cities Competition” organized by the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council, the National Competitiveness Board and the World Wildlife Fund, funded by a grant from USAID, with the support of Asia Society and Urban Land Institute.”  The competition calls for at least 20 cities, including the APEC host cities, to compete for a design award based on creating public building or spaces around principles of resiliency for a climate challenged future. Each competing city will be provided urban planner mentors to help them through the design process. The PCSI Forum will give interested Mayors and their Administrators the chance to draw ideas and principles from the experiences of the gathered expert participants.”

“Climate change is a global issue with dramatic ramifications for the real estate industry,” said Kathleen Carey, executive vice president and chief content officer for the Urban Land Institute. “We are seeing different approaches to planning, design, development, finance and insurance that are directly related to environmental and weather-related concerns.  And what we are finding is that community building presents an opportunity to reduce disaster-related risk and enhance livability in the process. I look forward to the knowledge exchange at the PSCI. The forum is an extraordinary opportunity for all of us to learn from each other about ways to improve community resiliency in the 21^st century.”

According to Asia Society’s Vice President for Global Programs, N. Bruce Pickering, “PCSI has never been more relevant – finding sustainable solutions to the challenges facing cities across the Asia-Pacific is more urgent than ever. The PCSI initiative was founded in response to the 2009 stalemate at the Copenhagen talks on climate change to focus on cities, where the action was and where it continues today. Manila is just the latest step in a long term effort to address one of the great challenges of the 21^st century by ULI and the Asia Society.”

“PCSI’s 2nd Annual Forum is an extremely important initiative and one which engages the public sector, NGOs, Government and the private sector,” said John Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of ULI Asia Pacific. “We are so glad to have the event take place in the region and we look forward to a series of engaging discussions around the issue of creating sustainable cities.”

PCSI is pleased to thank this year’s sponsors: Apollo Global Real Estate Management Asia Pacific Ltd., Inc. in HK, Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, Lafarge Cement Services (Phils.) Inc., AECOM, ARUP, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Deloitte, Energy Foundation, Gensler, LendLease, Meralco, Pag-asa Steel, Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited), SM Prime, SunLife of Canada Philippines, USC Marshall Center for International Business Education and Research, Arquitectonica, B&C Transit, DMCI Property Developers Inc., Jerde, Megaworld Corporation, PLDT, Smart Communications, The Oscar M. Lopez Center for Climate Change Adaptation, Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., Anil Verma Associates, Ayala Land, Inc., Cemex Strategic Philippines Inc., Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies for Urban and Regional Planning, Monolith Construction and Development Corporation, and UCLA Anderson School of Management.

The Forum is also supported by:  Ayala Museum, CATS Motors, Inc., Coca-Cola Femsa, Delta Airlines, Department of Tourism (Philippines), Ergo Chairs, GoNuts Donuts, Highlands Coffee, Jollibee, National Bookstore, Philippine Wine Merchants, Samsung, San Miguel, Seda Hotel, Singapore Airlines, The Peninsula Manila, The Mind Museum, Tesoro’s and U-Bix Corporation.

And by our media partners: BusinessWorld, Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Rappler and Solar TV.

Learn more about PCSI and the Manila Forum at: www.asiasociety.org/PCSI

About the Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI)—Established in 2009, and co-managed by the Asia Society and the Urban Land Institute, the Pacific Cities Sustainability Initiative (PCSI) is a collaborative dialogue which aims to foster long-term sharing of urban sustainability strategies across the Asia-Pacific region. Cities in the Asia Pacific face a number of daunting and conflicting challenges: to cut energy use, reduce environmental degradation, and develop effective, public-private strategies for climate change adaptation, while building thriving, livable cities that enhance both long-term economic development and quality of life for their residents. PCSI focuses on best practices and innovative solutions for addressing these challenges.

The Urban Land Institute is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future. Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with headquarters in New York and centers in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, and Washington, DC.