THE soon-to-rise Global City Mandaue will be Mandaue City’s “economy booster” that will attract both local and international investors.It will be the first-ever waterfront city in Cebu that will increase opportunities for labor and tourism, particularly in Mandaue City.This is what Mayor Jonas Cortes said during Global City’s groundbreaking ceremony held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday, May 12, 2022.Cortes said the P20 billion project, a partnership between the Mandaue City Government, private corporation Global City Mandaue Corp. and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), supported by the Cebu provincial government, will become the center of commerce in the city with structures already standing in about two years’ time.The project will be built on a 101-hectare reclamation area, which will come in three districts (Civic, Commercial, and Waterfront Luxury) along the Mactan Channel near the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, about 2.7 kilometers from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.All of its structures will be BERDE-Certified and feature biophilic designs that will both conserve and enhance the cityscape.Terminal, civic centerThe Civic District, also known as “CeManda” (Cebu-Mandaue), will be the center of economic activity. It will contain a multi-model passenger ferry terminal and a civic center and will be the new hub for cultural activities, markets, and the new cathedral of Mandaue City. It will also be the new home of the Mandaue City Hall.The Commercial District will contain a smart hub for investors and businesses called “Meridio.” It will also contain a world-class mall, retail shopping areas, hotels, and office towers.The Waterfront Luxury District will contain a world-class convention center and residential towers for both local and foreign investors.Global City Mandaue will also contain a world-class hospital, international schools, universities, and graduate schools complemented with galleries, libraries, auditoriums and museums.It will also contain a spur bridge to provide mobility to the airport as fast as 15 minutes.Sheila Romero, Global City Mandaue chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO), said they aim to start the reclamation of the project by September this year.She described Global City Mandaue as a breakthrough in development for Mandaue City.“My team and I promise to endeavor and bring your vision of making this new city of Mandaue a premiere landmark destination into reality. This (Global City Mandaue) will bring endless possibilities for growth, progress and development for the city,” said Romero.Lawyer Janilo Jubiato, PRA general manager and CEO, said they would expedite the submission of requirements for this project.“Mandaue needs additional space for development and economic activities. The Global City Mandaue will be one of the best things that will happen in Mandaue years from now. Just give my team (PRA) at least one week to process every document needed,” said Jubiato.Design competitionRomero said they aim to team up with local designers to develop the Global City Mandaue project.In line with this, Global City Mandaue launched the “Laraw Landmark Competition” Thursday.Romero called on designers, artists and fine arts enthusiasts in Cebu to join the competition to provide a platform and create conceptual public art, structures, and spaces for Global City Mandaue.The competition is divided into two categories (functional and conceptual) and open to professionals, students, and other creative practitioners.The functional participants will provide shade and allow for seating, viewing decks and platforms, while the conceptual participants will provide overall aesthetic enhancement of the project or create public art.The winners for both categories will receive P50,000 for the first prize, P30,000 for the second prize and P20,000 for the third prize.“This contest is designed only for locals in Cebu so that Cebuanos will feel their part of the project. The winning designs will be put as iconic structures in each district. So, every time they visit the Global City soon, they will be proud to say that this design is locally made,” said Romero.Interested participants may contact Butch Carungay, Focal Point, Cebu United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) City of Design consultant of Global City Mandaue, or visit the Facebook page Laraw Landmark Design Competition.