Living for the city
In Japan, developers are pursuing sustainability and ecological harmony in urban areas
Being able to afford a quality green many a urbanisation are more likely within rows less houses, way of public soothe the eyes
Many would assume Tokyo, one of the world’s most populated cities, to be a good example of the above scenario. This is partly true, but not to the extent that you might think. In fact, the megacity’s landscape is changing, as it attempts to adopt a greener vision. In this, it has benefited from the ambitious plans of real estate developer Mitsubishi Estate (MEC).
Recently, MEC shared some of its enviable stories to a group of Thai media representatives during a trip to Japan arranged by AP (Thailand), a leading property developer in the Kingdom. The purpose was to showcase how the company has successfully created green spaces and developed housing for sustainable living — a model that AP (Thailand) hopes to adopt for future residential projects in Bangkok.
One of the examples put forward by MEC was the renovation of Daimaruyu district — covering Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho — between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, which took place in the 2000s.
This quiet, unimpressive area was transformed into a lively business centre that prides itself on being the lungs of the city, where anyone can come and enjoy what MEC describes as “a seamless coexistence between human and nature”.
“We introduced a sustainable design concept and green concept to Marunouchi area. Our goal is to make it a development model for sustainable coexistence of humans, buildings and green areas,” explained Tomohiko Eguchi, general manager of the Thai Business Department of Mitsubishi Estate Residence.
As one of Japan’s top three real estate developers, involved with property management and architecture research and design, MEC employed a cutting-edge approach following its core philosophy of biodiversity in order to create a special urban environment for the heart of Tokyo.
This is evident in Marunouchi Brick Square, where a green courtyard stands out as an urban oasis among the skyscrapers and the adjacent Ichogokan Plaza, which is home to many species of plants.
“The shady square was designed to be a resting place where office workers can come to relax in a rose garden and enjoy other colourful flowers and various kinds of plants and trees that bloom through different seasons,” said Takanori Murakami, deputy general manager of MEC’s Urban Development Promotion Department.
Murakami recounted how the company breathed new life into Marunouchi Naka-Dori, the street that connects Otemachi and Yurakucho, making it a leading shopping thoroughfare lined with trees and sculptures.
Another example of the company’s green successes is the nearby Otemachi Forest, a man-made forest nestled among high-rises. Filled with a variety of trees planted in random densities across an area of 3,600m², the forest is designed to be another model for urban greenery, allowing urbanites to live closer to nature.
The company’s green policy to promote biodiversity and improve the environment isn’t restricted to commercial areas. Four years ago, Mitsubishi Estate Residence came up with a corresponding biodiversity preservation concept called “Bio Net Initiative” and has applied it to over 150 condominium projects under The Parkhouse brand in Tokyo and elsewhere.
Ryo Matsumoto, the company’s Product Planning Department manager, said that the initiative was aimed at maintaining a balance and connection between ecosystems as it focuses on planning trees and plants for each condominium in such a way that it forms a green network.
“Many of our projects in Tokyo are not far from each other, so we have designed a large green area at each property to be a stopover for plants and animals, especially for birds, by linking the surrounding green spaces with the street trees”, said Matsumoto. “This creates an ecological network in the areas.”
So far, 18 of The Parkhouse condominium projects have been awarded the Association For Business Innovation In Harmony With Nature And Community’s ABINC certification, which praises their contributions in creating green spaces that harmonise with the ecosystems in the neighbourhoods. However, MEC’s crowning glory is surely its remarkable achievement in establishing an ecological balance for sustainable living at Izumi Park Town in the city of Sendai, around 300km north of Tokyo. This is the largest private sector development project in Japan and has been hailed by many as an ideal planned city with high living standards.
“Only 10km away from Sendai Station in the north of Migayi Prefecture, the town covers approximately 10.7km² of land, which was formerly a mountainside half-a-decade ago,” said Kazuyuki Higuchi, Unit Leader of Tohoku Branch, MEC.
Currently in its sixth phase of development, the town today is home to around 10,000 households, with an total estimated population of 25,000 in the Living zone; 50 companies with a workforce of 8,000 workers in the Working zone; sports facilities and recreational areas in the Relaxation zone; and educational institutions of all levels, a shopping mall, premium outlets and a luxury in the Urbanisation zone.
Through this systematically developed urban planning, the company is endeavouring to create a harmonious balance of community and nature, with a better quality of life for its residents.
“At least 30% of the developed area is designated as green spaces that are accessible to everyone and we also have a plant committee to care for and keep maintenance of these areas,” said Higuchi.
The project has also come up with a set of rules that enables the town to operate in the interests of the whole community. All are made aware of their individual roles and responsibilities for respecting and looking after their environment.
“Many activities are organised here regularly to encourage our residents and their kids to love and protect our natural surroundings,” said Higuchi. “We believe that this will make the kids grow up with a sense of environmental conservation in their hearts.”
Our goal is sustainable coexistence of humans, buildings and green areas