Village Connect
As Philippine cities continue to grow vertically, the challenge is no longer just about building higher, but also building smarter and more sustainably. At its recent KONEct 2025 customer event in Manila, global elevator and escalator leader KONE unveiled a suite of future-ready solutions designed to modernize aging infrastructure, extend building lifespans, and reduce carbon emissions.
Rethinking Urban Growth
KONE’s approach recognizes that 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already standing today. Instead of focusing solely on new construction, the company is driving a shift toward modernization—upgrading existing assets with energy-efficient technologies and predictive maintenance. This strategy not only extends the life of elevators and escalators but also avoids unnecessary demolition and the carbon footprint that comes with it.
In Asia Pacific, where more than 40% of elevators are over 25 years old, the urgency is clear. KONE offers modular upgrades and data-driven lifecycle planning that preserve key components, cutting embodied carbon emissions by up to 78% compared to full replacements. Advanced features such as gearless motors, regenerative drives, and smart standby modes further enhance efficiency.
Supporting Climate Goals
Buildings are among the world’s largest carbon emitters, accounting for nearly 40% of global emissions. By extending equipment life and integrating smarter technology, KONE supports the Philippines’ climate targets, which include a 75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
“Our mission is to grow with Philippine cities sustainably and strategically,” said Petteri Kyrklund, KONE’s Managing Director for the Philippines. “From enabling bold new developments to revitalizing aging buildings, we are proud to support every stage of the building journey.”
The company has also committed to ambitious global goals: halving its operational emissions and cutting product-related emissions—materials and lifetime energy use—by 40% before the decade ends.
A Next-Generation Elevator for High-Rise Cities
Headlining the event was the Philippine launch of the KONE High-Rise MiniSpace™ DX elevator. Designed for buildings taller than 150 meters, it combines compact design, digital intelligence, and breakthrough efficiency. Its UltraRope® hoisting technology, 80% lighter than steel ropes, reduces long-trip energy consumption by up to 15%. The system delivers up to 30% energy savings in daily use, and as much as 70% when replacing older equipment.
More than just a technical upgrade, the MiniSpace™ DX offers smoother passenger flow with advanced destination control and digital connectivity—meeting the demands of the Philippines’ fast-changing urban landscape.
Building the Future, Sustainably
For KONE, sustainable urbanization means working with developers, property owners, and cities to ensure that growth aligns with climate action. With modernization packages, predictive maintenance powered by AI, and future-ready products like the MiniSpace™ DX, KONE is positioning itself as a partner in shaping smarter, greener, and more resilient cities for generations to come.
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