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t seems it’s all systems go to develop Clark as a new National Capital Region. Already, a master planned 177-hectare development known as the Clark Global Gateway City is fast rising to rival Metro Manila’s central business districts with its extra wide avenues and underground utility connections. The first building to be completed is the now functioning Medical City’s Clark hospital, which was built from scratch. The buildings intended to house various business offices in the area are interconnected and reveal a close attention to the interrelationship of buildings, people and the environment. There are wide sidewalks and bicycle paths. A solar energy installation is providing half of Clark’s needs.
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Construction abounds for the ASEAN Summit in late 2017, as well as signs of the fledgling New Clark City, such as an unsolicited proposal to build a government center from the group that helped build Malaysia’s Putrajaya—just one notable initiative, among many, of this pioneering development. Spearheading it is Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), along with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), which is looking at Clark as the solution for the severe congestion and daily traffic jams in Metro Manila, which is already home to 25 million souls. Just before former CDC head Arthur Tugade took over the Department of Transportation (DOTr), he mentioned wanting to decongest Metro Manila.
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