U.P. Town Center: An Industry and Academic Collaboration

U.P. Town Center: An Industry and Academic Collaborationuptowncenter7

 

Though shopping malls have always been a favorite gathering place of the youth, commercial spaces are not typically associated with academic pursuits. In partnership with the University of the Philippines (U.P.), Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) combines retail with scholastic life by developing U.P. Town Center, the first and only university town center in the Philippines.

 

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Reflecting U.P.’s objective of fostering the growth of some of the country’s brightest minds, U.P. Town Center was designed in such a way that makes it ideal for study groups and lunch outs. It is an interactive venue, conducive to free expression, skills development and discourse through its green spaces, academic support facilities, Student Hub and amphitheater. A bookstore and business incubation will also be made available to further support the needs of the community.

 

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Located along Katipunan Avenue, just outside the University of the Philippines Diliman’s walls, the construction and design takes its cues from its surroundings. At least 50% (3.7 has) of the total land area is to be maintained as open space, preserving at least 25% of the existing trees. Sprawling grass, aesthetic landscapes, fixtures, and water features surround the project, providing a pleasant venue where friends and families can walk around and spend quality time with each other.

 

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U.P. Town Center is opening in three phases, and will feature more dining and shopping stores, a supermarket, a department store; academic support and cultural facilities, cinemas, and offices. Phase 1A, which primarily consists of restaurants and retail stores, is now open. Phase 1B and Phase 2 will open within the next two years.

 

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Trivia Nights: UP students from various organizations put their heads together for Trivia Nights.


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Livin’ It UP: A Performance Art : Students of ASAPHIL-UP and UP Artists Circle imbibe the dynamic UP life in Livin’ It UP: A Performance Art.

 

Ultimately, U.P. Town Center aims to meet the holistic needs of the community and allow its culture to thrive, complementing the different lifestyles of students, residents, and workers around it.

A Venue for Mobilizing Talents and Skills

U.P. Town Center is a setting that works as a stage, an exhibit hall, and more, honing the talents and skills of the students which allows them to reach a wider audience. Past initiatives include: local concerts, trivia nights, comedy show and performances of homegrown talents from associations and Colleges of Fine Arts, Interior Design, Music and many others.

 

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Rise UP: A Christmas Serenade : UP College of Music students serenade UP Town Center for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda survivors.


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On Track 2014 : The UP Veterinary Teaching Hospital Diliman team provides free pet vaccinations to the pets of the community at UP Town Center.


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Syntheses 2014 : The graduating batch of the Visual Communications Department of UP Fine Arts caps off their degree program with a thesis exhibit entitled Syntheses 2014.

  

 

These partnerships, all mobilizing the talents and skills of the students, are just the first of many others that the community can look forward to as U.P. Town Center expands to address the needs of the growing community.

 

 

 

U.P. Town Center: An Industry and Academic Collaboration