Once known for its heavy industry, Mandaue City is undergoing a dramatic transformation, one that may redefine Cebu’s urban future. Welcome to Global City Mandaue, a 131-hectare waterfront development poised to become a smart, green, and globally competitive urban district along the Mactan Channel.
From Vision to Reality
Global City Mandaue is not just another real estate project. It’s a multi-billion reclamation and urban transformation initiative, a bold attempt to build a fully integrated smart city that will blend commerce, governance, luxury living, green spaces, and culture.
The area that will be reclaimed spans across Barangays Paknaan and Umapad, right by the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, just 2.7 kilometers from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
The People Behind the Project
This megaproject is made possible through a public-private partnership between: Global City Mandaue Corporation (GCMC), a joint venture firm headed by Sheila Romero, with backing from Globalport 900 Inc, the City Government of Mandaue and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA)
Supporting the technical backbone are world-class urban planners and engineers: CallisonRTKL, Royal HaskoningDHV, Arcadis, ESCA Inc., and Cebu-based Canizares Architects.
A City in Three Districts
The 131-hectare project is thoughtfully divided into three vibrant districts:
1. Civic District (Cemanda) — The heart of governance and community, this area will house the new Mandaue City Hall, police and fire stations, bus and ferry terminals, cultural venues, and religious centers.
2. Commercial District (Meridio) — Designed for business and innovation, it will feature high-rise office towers, retail spaces, hotels, convention centers, and tech incubators.
3. Waterfront Luxury District — Facing the Mactan Channel, this upscale zone will host residential towers, resort hotels, marina boardwalks, fine dining, and entertainment hubs. –
Smart & Sustainable Urbanism
Unlike older urban centers, Global City Mandaue is built with green principles at its core: BERDE-certified buildings Lush green belts, bike lanes, and jogging paths Vertical gardens and biophilic architecture A 2-km waterfront boardwalk and mangrove protection zones.
The Supreme Court’s 2025 decision to uphold the 131-hectare reclamation project provided the green light for the project to proceed.
Timeline
2013: Reclamation rights granted to Globalport 900 Inc.
2022: Groundbreaking and project relaunch
2023: Permits secured and environmental assessments approved
2025: Supreme Court decision gives green light for project to proceed
Why It Matters
With Cebu’s limited space available for development, Global City Mandaue will be a welcome expansion, but with the high cost of reclamation and development, this fresh inventory will not come in cheap.
InfoCebu 