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Japan Inn vative
Cities Award

LEADING URBAN PLANNING
INITIATIVES IN JAPANT

he Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism shares information domestically and abroad
about leading urban planning initiatives in order to encourage the adoption of innovative practices, as well as
promote exports of cutting-edge urban technologies andstimulate inbound investment and interest.
Since 2016, the Ministry has held a competition to recognize advanced urban development projects aimed atsolving urban challenges and creating next-generation
urban spaces. Here we will introduce eight projects thatwere recognized in 2016 and 2017.

● Muroran, Hokkaido

Muroran Green Energy Town
Concept

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS● Iida, Nagano

Namiki Alleyway Ikoiko Vacant Store
Regeneration Project First competition, 2016
Muroran Green Energy Town Concept
Muroran, Hokkaido

Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City
Kashiwa, Chiba

Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho Area Management
Sustainable development project in the Tokyo Station area
Chiyoda, Tokyo

SMA×ECO TOWN Harumidai● Chiyoda, Tokyo

Otemachi, Marunouchi, andYurakucho Area Management● Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

BONJONO
District of the Future for Everyone

Sustainable development project in theTokyo Station area

Share Town Project● Kashiwa, Chiba

Sakai, Osaka

Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City

BONJONO-District of the Future for Everyone
Share Town Project
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

 Second competition, 2017
Town Development of Futako Tamagawa Rise
Setagaya, Tokyo

Namiki Alleyway Ikoiko Vacant Store
Regeneration Project● Sakai, Osaka

SMA×ECO TOWN Harumidai

Iida, Nagano

Public-private Town Planning by the Local Community andCitizens
Urban development project making use of local resources
around Hyugashi Station
Hyuga, Miyazaki

2● Hyuga, Miyazaki

Public-private Town Planningby the Local Community andCitizens

Urban development project making use of local
resources around Hyugashi Station● Setagaya, Tokyo

Town Development of Futako
Tamagawa Rise3

Muroran Green Energy Town Concept
P RO J E C T ENTITY: City of Muroran
LO C AT ION: Muroran, Hokkaido

Background and progressMuroran, a city located roughly 90 kilometersfrom Hokkaido’s main city of Sapporo,flourished as a manufacturing center whose
steel industry attracted advanced technology
and human resources, logistics infrastructure,and research and development organizations. In
recent years, the city has leveraged this industrial base to promote environmental industries
and encourage the development of a resourcerecycling and low-carbon city. After discussions

with companies, universities, and local groups, in2015 the city government launched the Muroran
Green Energy Town Concept, with the goals offostering environmental industries, revitalizing
the local economy, and realizing a low-carbon
city. Public, private, and academic organizations
are collaborating on the vision, which calls fordoubling the amount of green energy (hydrogen,renewable & unutilized energy) from 2012 levels
by 2020.
Illumination of Hakucho Bridge uses wind-powered LED lights

About the projectT

he city government is investing in the use ofhydrogen energy, including deploying Hokkaido’s first mobile hydrogen station and fuelcell vehicles in 2016, as well as installing household fuel cells at a municipal heated swimming
pool, making it possible to provide electricity andheat even during power outages. Government
and industry are collaborating to bring abouta hydrogen society, with private businesses
engaged in manufacturing and developing advanced components for hydrogen stations, anddesignating some residential areas where allhouses have household fuel cells. Moreover, topromote the use of renewable energy, Muroran4

has added wind and solar generation to public
facilities, created a biogas generation facility
at a wastewater treatment plant in cooperation
with a private company, and is planning to start
one of the largest biomass power generation
plants in Japan in 2020. In addition, to promoteenergy conservation, the city has pursued theconversion of streetlights to LEDs, startingwith the illumination of the Hakucho Bridge,
which is a central element of the nighttime industrial scenery popular with tourists. The cityalso provides support to families to jointly adopt
fuel cells, solar power generation, home energy
management systems, and LED lighting.

Mobile hydrogen station and fuel cell vehicles

Municipal swimming pool equipped with household fuel cells

Residential area with fuel cell-equipped homes

Biomass power generation plant fueled by palm kernel shells is planned
to start operation in 2020 (Photo courtesy of Muroran Biomass Power
Generation G.K)

M U R O R A N

H O K K A I D O

5Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City
P RO J E C T ENTITY: Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
LO C AT ION: Kashiwa, Chiba

Background and progressT

he Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City district islocated in suburban Tokyo around theKashiwa-no-ha Campus Station on the Tsukuba
Express rail line, which opened in 2005. Coinciding with the completion of the rail line, the 300hectare site was subdivided and private developers have since constructed more than 1,800
residential units, large shopping facilities andhotels to accommodate a population planned toeventually reach 26,000.
The smart city is a platform for publicprivate-academic partnerships that are working
towards developing solutions to the challenges
of environmental resources, energy, and aging,under the three themes of “environmentalsymbiotic city,” “a city of health and longevity,”and “a city of new industry creation.”

The Gate Square commercial center and residential buildings at the center of the district

About the projectA

6

s an environmental-symbiotic city, each homein Kashiwa-no-ha Smart City is equipped with
automatic appliance control functionality (Kashiwa-no-ha Home Energy Management System),
while the entire area has a next-generation “smart
grid” (Kashiwa-no-ha Area Energy Management
System), enabling efficient energy storage, CO2 reduction, and electricity availability after disasters.
In addition, health support and disease prevention facilities are located within the shopping

center, and walking paths and walking clubs
reflect a city committed to encouraging healthand longevity.
Finally, to achieve a city of new industry
creation, a private company has opened one of
the largest co-working spaces in the country,
and Tx Entrepreneur Partners, a private venture
capital organization, is engaged in cultivating
startup companies.

Energy management system“To-mor-row” health support center

Retention basin integrated into park space

KOIL Park co-working space

KOIL Factory digital manufacturing workshop

K A S H I W A

C H I B A

7

Otemachi, Marunouchi, andYurakucho
AreaManagement
Sustainable development projects in the area around Tokyo Station
P RO J EC T ENTITY: The Council for Area Development and Management of Otemachi,
Marunouchi, and Yurakucho (General incorporated association), OMY Area Management Association (Non-profit corporation), the Ecozzeria Association (General incorporated association)
LO C AT ION: Chiyoda, Tokyo

Background and progressT

he district located between Tokyo Stationand the Imperial Palace is the center ofJapanese business, with around 4,300 offices
located in an area of 120 hectares. Many officebuildings that were constructed during thehigh-growth period had grown functionallyobsolete by the late 1980s, and the office-only
district was deserted on weekends. In orderto resolve these problems, stakeholders came
together to coordinate the redevelopment of
the area. Together with the redevelopmentof older buildings, various steps have beentaken to increase the area’s charm, including
adding retail and cultural spaces on the lower
floors of office buildings, and expanding the
sidewalks along the area’s central north-southaxis, Marunouchi Naka-dori Street, to enrich

the pedestrian experience.
The Council for Area Development and Management of Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho was founded by area landowners in 1988
and has been proactively engaged throughout
the development process. In 2000, discussion
between the council and local governments led
to the establishment of guideline, which defined
the area's vision, rules and development methods. Each landowner has redeveloped individual
buildings according to the guideline, introducing
new urban functions, developing undergroundcirculation networks, beautifying streetscapes,
and investing in disaster preparedness. The
area management organization also works toincrease the district’s vitality through various
events in public spaces.

The office district between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace

About the projectA

rea management is intended to increase the
district’s charm and vitality. Marunouchi
Naka-dori Street is closed to vehicle traffic frommidday until evening and turned into a space forpeople with food trucks and tables. In addition,
the area management organization manages
street events to activate public spaces, and reinvests the proceeds into the area's activities.
Area-wide efforts are also being undertaken
to increase disaster preparedness. Multiple
buildings in the area are disaster preparedness
centers, equipped with systems to self-supply

electricity and water and capable of providing
temporary refuge to people during disasters,
thereby increasing the safety and resilience theentire district. Additionally, the landowners holdfrequent study groups together with scholars toresearch urban disaster prevention.
In recent years, seminar salons and othersocial spaces have been opened to foster aninnovative environment where new ideas andbusiness emerge from professional interaction
between companies and across industries.

Seminar & event facility

Lower floors are filled with stores

8

Urban Terrace pedestrian space on closed street

C H I Y O D A

T O K Y O

9

SMA×ECO TOWN Harumidai
P RO J E C T ENTITY: Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.
LO C AT ION: Sakai, Osaka

Background and progress

S

MA×ECO TOWN Harumidai covers 1.7 hectaresin the hills of Semboku New Town, located on
the border between Sakai and neighboring Izumi.
In 2010, the Sakai municipal government laid out astrategy revitalize the area, and solicited proposals
for eco-friendly development on the former site ofa closed elementary school.
Development of the eco-friendly residential
district began in 2013, with the chosen privatebuilder installing energy generation and storage
equipment on all 65 single-family homes.

About the projectAll the homes are equipped with solar energy
generation systems and domestic lithiumion batteries, and the management organization
has installed solar panels on shared infrastructure such as the roof of the community center. As
a result, the entire area’s annual primary energy
consumption has been reduced to zero, andelectricity is also available during post-disasterblackouts. In addition, electric car sharing andenergy visualization has been introduced toincrease residents’ environmental awareness.

The entire district

10

The management organization also works on
issues including energy management, cityscape,security, and disaster prevention, including operation and energy visualization of the shared solar
generation system, storage of food and fuel, andthe installation of benches that can be converted
into stoves or toilets during disasters.
Sale of solar electricity and electric car sharing provides the management organization withadditional income to sustain its activities besides
the management fees collected from residents.

Typical street in the development

Shared electric vehicle

Solar energy system on shared facility

Neighborhood management association

Disaster preparedness event

S A K A IO S A K A

11

BONJONO
District of the Future for Everyone
P RO J E C T ENTITY: Jono Hitomachi Net (General incorporated association)
LO C AT ION: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

Background and progressDiscussions about how to develop the 19hectare Bonjono district, located north of JR
Jono Station in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, began after
the relocation of a Self-Defense Forces camp andthe planned reconstruction of a public housing
estate resulted in large redevelopment sites.
This led to a commitment among stakeholders
to pursue a zero-carbon vision, which was codified in urban planning guidelines agreed uponby the Ministry of Finance, the public housing
authority UR, and the municipal government.

Plans were made for UR to subdivide the siteand private developers to supply 350 single-unit
homes and 200 multi-unit homes. As of 2016,
the eco-friendly area is under development.
The town management organization Jono
Hitomachi Net was also established in 2015
to coordinate local management groups andincrease the area’s value and appeal throughenergy management, green management, andtown security.
Solar panels installed on houses

About the projectT

he Jono Zero Carbon Advanced Urban Area
is one of the major projects of Kitakyushu’s
Environmental Future City initiative, and is
striving for a theoretical 100% reduction ofcarbon emissions across the entire district. To
achieve these goals, the city made agreementswith developers requiring energy generationand conservation measures, such as the construction of long-term, high-quality housing andthe installation of home energy management
systems in individual homes. The city underwrites a portion of the installation costs, andalso supports the use of a community energy
management system and other practices aimed

12

at achieving the overall zero-carbon target for
the area’s new homes.
Town management includes energy management, which makes information about energy use in homes and facilities visible throughan online portal; green management, such as
making rules about the cityscape and maintaining walking paths and parks; and town security measures including security cameras andpatrols. Additionally, various resident-driven
events and activities based on the ideas of“co-curating and sharing the town” are held incommon spaces such the TETTE Life Workshop
community center.

The district’s community energy management system

Life Workshop community center

Camping event at a local park

Environmental learning event

K I TA K Y U S H U

F U KU O K A

13

Town Development of
Futako Tamagawa Rise
P RO J E C T ENTITY: Futako Tamagawa Rise Council
LO C AT ION: Setagaya, Tokyo (east of Futako Tamagawa Station)

Background and progressThis district is located on the east side of
Futako Tamagawa Station along a private
railway line in the Tokyo suburbs, sandwiched
between the Kokubunji Cliff Line and the TamaRiver. The area had lost its vitality after the commercial avenue began to decline in the 1980s
and the Futako-tamagawaen Amusement Park
closed in 1985. In response, local leaders came
together to implement an urban redevelopment

project making use of the former amusementpark site (phase one began in 2007, phase two
in 2012). Furthermore, after the end of construction on the first phase in 2011, the Futako
Tamagawa Rise Council was established by therail company and various local management associations to sponsor events and engage in town
management activities, with the goal of enhancing the area’ vitality and local brand.

About the projectT

his urban redevelopment project has resulted
in an always-bustling area of diverse uses,
including approx. 70,000 sq. meters of commercial facilities, approx. 80,000 sq. meters of officespace, housing for 1,000 families, a bus terminal,
and a hotel. The site also contains approx. 6,000
sq. meters of green roof space, part of 10,000
sq. meters of total green space, and has earned
a LEED Neighborhood Development Gold Rank
Certification recognizing the redevelopment’s
commitment to nature and eco-friendliness. The
project aims to engender new demand in the inner

The entire district

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Green Roof is a part of focus on nature

Commercial facilities in front of the station and office towers

Public spaces host diverse events

suburbs and reduce over-crowdedness on commuter trains by offering a working environment
unlike those from that available in the urban core.
In addition, the Futako Tamagawa Rise
Council is engaged in town management activities, including hosting participatory events forneighborhood children that make use of thesite’s natural environment. The successful creation of a lively area and local brand has also led
to more events hosted in conjunction with outside companies.

Ribbon Street walking path

S E T A G A Y A

T O K Y O

15

Namiki Alleyway Ikoiko Vacant Store
Regeneration Project

Mongolian restaurant& clothing

Iida dumplings & Main Bar Matsu

P RO J E C T ENTITY: Iida Machizukuri Company
LO C AT ION: Iida, Nagano
Ringo

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Namik

streetDo

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Background and progress

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Grilled meat & bar

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As the landowners grew older, they becameless inclined to proactively make use of theirreal estate and negotiate with potential tenants.
In order to resolve the vacant store problem
and help reduce the burden of landowners, Iida
Machizukuri Company, a trusted local company
that had previously been involved in city redevelopment projects, led the area in preparing for
new businesses.

ch

nm
Ho

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ocated in the center of Iida, Nagano, the Ikoiko
project targets an area dealing with the spreadof vacant stores and hollowing-out due to suburbanization. Previously, public-private projects
had been pursued in attempts to redevelop thecentral areas of the city, but landowners aroundthe Namiki Alleyway declined to participate inredevelopment out of a desire to remain in theirhomes. The area remained under-developed andan obstacle to the city's revitalization.

ic

Cafe, accessories, and fashion
Relaxation cafe

Rice cake skewers

Kihachiro Okamoto Puppet Museum

Burger cafe

The entire alleyway

About the projectIn an area with many vacant buildings andstores, the Iida Machizukuri Company rented
land and buildings from landowners, undertook
renovation, and sublet the spaces to tenants.
During the process of finding tenants, six
related community organizations hosted a ninemonth startup camp to support people wishing tostart a business. This course taught participants

how to plan, run, and finance their business.
Of numerous applicants, seven tenants wereselected based on their potential to both fit into
the area and achieve a stable business.
This project aims to create a comfortableenvironment in which people can wander freely
between the newly developed establishments,
all of which serve food or drinks.
Open terrace at the center of the alleyway

Café located in an old wooden building

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Startup camp to train business owners

I I D A

Renovated warehouse is used as management company office

N A G A N O

17

Public-private Town Planning by the
Local
Community
andCitizens
Urban development project making use of local resources around Hyugashi Station
P RO J E C T ENTITY: City of Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture, JR KYUSHU RAILWAY COMPANY,
Hyuga Urban Core Revitalization Council, Hyuga Urban Core Event Coordination Council
LO C AT ION: Hyuga, Miyazaki

Background and progressT

his 50.6-hectare project area surrounds
Hyugashi Station on the JR Nippo Main Linein the center of Hyuga, Miyazaki. Population in
the city’s central areas had fallen significantly
and shops were closing due to suburbanization,
leading to the general decline of the urban core.
In this context, Miyazaki Prefecture, Hyuga City,
JR Kyushu Railway Company, and local residents

The park has become a place for local residents to relax

Town planning class for high school students

have collaborated to revitalize the central area andcreate a sustainable compact city. They pursed
land re-adjustment, grade separation of the rail
line, construction of community center facilities,
and new infrastructure for commercial activity.
In addition to these four projects, various citizendriven activities are pursued under the banner of“the city as a stage for residents.”

About the projectL

ocally harvested cedar trees were used in theconstruction of the elevated station building
to create a symbol of the city’s local character.
The structural columns were spaced out to createa multi-purpose space underneath the tracks. A
park and outdoor stage were also created on thewest side of the building, resulting in a high-quality public space connected to the station where
local citizens hold various events on weekends.
Land re-adjustment enabled the city to construct
arterial roads in the area around the station, as
well as the consolidate land within the entire dis-

trict. With this, they created space for alleys anda parking lot, thereby improving visitor convenience and the appeal of the commercial district.
During the planning process, a conference ofurban design experts was established to ensure
a consistent, uniform design, and incorporate
the opinions of users gathered through various conference discussions. In addition, extracurricular classes for elementary, middle, andhigh school students were staged as a way ofeducating the next generation of leaders about
town planning.

The outdoor stage is built from plentiful local cedar

New retail stores facing the street revitalized the area
Compact city planning focused on the station and plaza area

18

H Y U G A

Private development, including apartments, followed the reconstructionof the station and plaza

M I Y A Z A K I

19