In ancient times, townshipspertained to small, rural communities or settlements, often with a strong sense of local identity and governance.
In the Philippines, for example, communities developed with the creation of Barangays, which were made up of several dozen households bound together by social and political ties. These Barangays provided fellowship, security and survival for the families living therein.
In today’s world of real estate, townships refer to large-scale, integrated, mixed-used developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within specific areas. Since their advent in the 2000s, townships have become thriving communities that offer many amenities and services that have attracted many investors and homeowners.
The reason for townships’ popularity is the variety of amenities and conveniences that they offer.
Nowadays, it’s common to find various types of residential units such as apartments, condominiums, villas, and townhouses; commercial spaces that offer banking, shopping, dining, and entertainment; recreational facilities like parks, gardens, theaters, gyms, sports complexes; and integrated, well-planned infrastructure like roads, utilities, and community services, all in one common expanse. Furthermore, townships provide easy access to amenities and services that are carefully planned and managed, providing a high quality of life and reducing the need to travel; they foster a sense of community among residents; and their value appreciate over time, making them a good investment option.
According to Sharon Joy Roset Saclolo of Leechiu Property Consultants, the way Filipinos choose where to live is evolving and infrastructure development is driving the transformation. With P1.54 trillion allocated to major projects in 2024 alone, the country is seeing significant improvements in roads, transport systems and interregional connectivity. These developments are expanding housing options beyond Metro Manila, creating new residential hubs and investment opportunities in emerging cities. Today, there are over 120 townships covering 134,000 hectares nationwide, offering residents the convenience of living near workplace, retail hubs and entertainment enters.
Examples of these are Filinvest City-a 244 hectare fully-integrated township with residential, business, leisure, education and medical areas, Greenfield District in Mandaluyong, Philippines-a 64-hectare township with residential, office, and commercial spaces, Eton City in Laguna, a 1,000-hectare township with residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, Megaworld’s Forbes Town in Bonifacio Global City and Pueblo de Panay in Roxas City, Capiz, which is the largest township in the Philippines.
David Leechiu of Leechiu Property Consultants, views townships as vital, maturing urban developments that thrive outside Metro Manila, supported by infrastructure and BPO growth with a future focus on transit-oriented developments and sustainability to improve quality of life. He said, ‘A buyer preference for landed homes over condominiums, a trend accelerated by high interest rates and identifies a growing demand for master-planned townships due to their flood protection and power reliability.’
Joey Bondoc of Colliers Philippines is optimistic that the development of more integrated communities in the city should result in the construction of newer and more sustainable office spaces. Tenants should be on the lookout for the completion of these high-quality spaces.
Indeed, townships are becoming increasingly popular in the property market because of their unique blend of convenience, community living, and investment potential.