Challenges in managing mixed-use urban areas

Mixed-use urban areas are multifunctional developments featuring high-rise and low-rise types and various amenities. In addition to housing, urban areas include commercial, service, financial, and entertainment amenities like shopping centres, schools, hospitals, parks, restaurants, and other public facilities. 

With a population density of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people and diverse housing and business types, operations in urban areas require experience and coordination among specialised departments. Well-managed urban projects maintain their value and increase it over time. The value lies in long-term effectiveness and issues management. Larger projects require professional and systematic operational management services.   

Read more: Urban areas and liquidity benefit from property management

Security and Safety Management 

Managing security and safety is a significant challenge in urban areas. Mixed-use urban areas typically have diverse and open amenities, allowing resident interactions and community development. Balancing privacy and connectivity for residents while ensuring good visitor experiences is crucial. 

To address this, setting up 24/7 security monitoring is essential. There should be clear plans to ensure security teams are always on duty and regularly patrol areas to detect and address issues promptly. Implementing a multi-layered security setup with both technology and personnel allows the management team to oversee daily operations efficiently while optimising personnel costs. 

With extensive experience in property management, Savills manages many notable urban areas such as Vista Lago, Mailand Hanoi City, and Avenue Garden, ensuring a safe living environment for residents and tenants.

Energy Management 

Optimising energy usage is crucial for maintaining quality, protecting the environment, and saving costs. This is especially important for mixed-use urban areas with diverse amenities. 

In 2023, the ESG program organised by Savills Ha Noi Property Management Team had impressive results. Our low-rise projects saved 19% in electricity intensity and use compared to 2022. The ESG Program is an annual campaign by Savills Property Management Team in Ha Noi. First launched in 2020, the program empowers our managed projects to implement innovative initiatives to save water and electricity and reduce carbon emissions. The program also aims to change stakeholders’ perceptions of the importance of sustainability. 

Below are some fundamental resource-saving solutions: 

• Optimise the operations of technical systems by assessing them regularly and making necessary adjustments.  
• Establish maintenance plans. 
• Use energy-saving equipment and sensors in common areas. 
• Improve insulation and soundproofing. 
• Implement energy management systems. 

Read more:

• ESG Program – Pioneering Sustainability Initiative by Savills Property Management
• Energy-Saving Solutions for Buildings – Part 1 
• Energy-Saving Solutions for Buildings – Part 2

Landscape Management

Landscape management goes beyond planning and design, including construction, installation, maintenance, and long-term care. This is essential for creating and maintaining comfortable living and working spaces. 

With experience working with contractors nationwide, Savills supports developers in evaluating and selecting suitable contractors, directly supervising quality, inspecting, detecting, and preventing common seasonal pest issues and other issues promptly, ensuring community health and safety. 

Construction Order Management

Managing construction order plays a crucial role. Urban areas often feature open designs and have complex partitioning. Often, this can post management and monitoring challenges if the construction and architecture are inadequate. Savills shows developers for to control and manage construction to ensure form, aesthetics, and function work together and function aesthetics of the entire urban area.

Community Building

With the large scale of urban areas, organising engaging activities and events creates opportunities for residents and tenants to meet, interact, and contribute to a cohesive community. 

In urban areas managed by Savills, we collaborate with developers to organise diverse community activities for residents. For example, in Mailand Hanoi City, we hold various events like art exhibitions, shopping, dining, and entertainment at the Pont de Long Bien pedestrian street. The Home Hanoi Xuan 2024 event attracted 40,000 visitors.

Read more: The Impact of Fostering a Cohesive Community on Building Operations 

Service Quality Management 

Large-scale projects like urban areas require systematic and professional services. In projects managed by Savills, our experts use QR codes to control service quality. Staff can report task results online with real-time images, allowing for swift action and saving time and costs. 

Regular training sessions cover health, safety, and soft skills such as problem-solving and time management. This ensures consistent staff quality and enhances productivity. 

With experience in managing over 100 real estates across Viet Nam, Savills is committed to delivering international standard service quality to meet customer demands. Find out more about our Property Management services here.