transportation in the central area (Table3-3-2).

Comparing the environmental effects of Aomori City’s compact city forms with the effects of other nationwide core cities, Aomori City, which has reduced carbon dioxide emissions from passenger vehicles by 25% between 1999 and 2005, has realized a more effective reduction rate than other core cities (Table3-3-3). During this period, although the number of journeys (movements) per person has increased, the mileage per trip has greatly decreased (Table3-3-4), suggesting that the formation of the compact city has shown positive results. Furthermore, for the purpose of decreasing the number of trips per person, enhancement of public transportation, which can replace the vehicles-oriented transportation, is important.

Thus, expanding movements based on community’s interests

Table3-3 Changes in CO₂ Emissions from Vehicles from 1999 to 2005 in Core Cities

Emissions in 2005	Emission in 1999	Changes in CO2 emissions
H City	0.35	0.61	-43.4%
T City	0.44	0.68	-35.0%
F City	0.56	0.79	-29.3%
M City	0.84	1.15	-27.3%
Aomori City	0.77	1.03	-25.0%
N City	0.47	0.62	-24.2%
K City	0.86	1.09	-21.0%
Omitted
Y City	1.30	1.24	4.6%
G City	0.80	0.76	5.2%
S City	0.96	0.89	7.8%
I City	1.33	1.22	8.7%
A City	0.92	0.79	16.1%
B City	0.92	0.79	17.0%
O City	1.17	0.86	36.0%

Note : Comparison of core cities. Local governments except for the top seven and bottom seven have been omitted. Source : Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment from the data of the National Institute for Environmental Studies

with a wide range of concerned parties is expected to promote the development of local communities. There, people can enjoy active community with less environmental burden.

B Environmental load reduction with community block reconstruction

(A) CO $ _{2} $ emission reduction and amenity improvement by improving the heat environment of residential areas

improving the heat environment of residential areas

Let's see the effect of the environmental improvement per community block unit, which is a smaller section of a whole city. Specifically, we will examine the methods and effects of improving the heat environment in dense residential areas, in order to balance the GHG reduction and the improvement of city amenities and life quality.

The overall city blocks prevent heat from accumulating, in this simulation. Green coverage rate is improved with greenery areas and greening of the rooftops, a creek was regenerated and its water is used and improvement of building's insulation performance and structures for shielding sunlight were adopted. In addition, life quality has improved by increasing living space - privates and commodities combined—by 20% compared to the existing city blocks. The distinctive characteristics of the new city blocks are the balance of the drastic $ CO_{2} $ reduction, due to the heat environment improvement and the introduction of advanced facilities and equipments, and the richness of the living space.

The simulation was also conducted under the conditions of a sunny summer day's electricity consumption will reach a peak on the new city block which indicates overall image and improvement points. Due to the measures taken against the heat environment outdoors and response to the next generation energy saving standards for housing, the electricity on air conditioning for each housing unit has been reduced, and the $ CO_{2} $ reduction has been reduced by about 85%, combining the effect of the state-of-the-art equipment, may be introduced in 2010. Simulation made using the equipment—which could be disseminated around 2030—showed reduction of 100%, adding the effect of highly efficient solar power generation, and even 20% surplus power would be generated (Figure3-3-13). The value of HIP (Heat Island Potential), an index of sensible heat in the atmosphere,

Table3-3-2 Aomori City’s Compact City Forms Being Aware of the Differences in Transportation System

Inner-city	Zone for enjoying highly convenient urban livesEstablishment of a transportation system to support movements on foot and public transportation
Mid-city	Zone for keeping the balance between compact cities and urban vitality by residential functions with latitude and its vicinity functionsEstablishment of a transportation system to support movements by public transportation in principle
Outer-city	Zone for backing up the formation of compact cities by maintaining the abundant natural environmentEstablishment of a transportation system to balance the traffic of public transportation and private vehicles

Source : Compiled by the Aomori Urban Master Plan

Table3-3-4 Status of Vehicle Flow in Aomori City in 2005 and 1999

Population (thousand people)	Number of vehicles per population (units/ thousand people)	Distance per trip (km/Trip)	Annual number of trips per person	Annual mileage per person (10km)	Annual mileage per unit (10km)	Total annual number of trips (million trip)	Annual total mileage (million km)	Total emissions from vehicles (per person)	Total emissions from vehicle (thousand ton)	Total number of vehicles (thousand unit)
2005	312	450	9.0	324	719	291	646	101	905	0.77	241	140
1999	319	379	12.2	268	708	328	866	85	1,046	1.05	335	121
−7	71	−3.3	56	11	−37	−220	16	−141	−0.28	−94	19
−2%	19%	−27%	21%	2%	−11%	−25%	19%	−13%	−26%	−28%	16%

Source : Compiled by the Ministry of the Environment from the data of the National Institute for Environmental Studies