Panasonic & Nomura Real Estate Reveal Smart Town Concept Plan In Yokohama

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Panasonic Corporation and Nomura Real Estate Development Company recently, along with the Tsunashima Sustainable Smart Town Council, revealed the concept plans for a new “smart town” that will be constructed in Tsunashima in the City of Yokohama, according to reports.

The smart town — which, to give a better idea of location to those unfamiliar with the country, will be found southwest of Tokyo — will reportedly feature a hydrogen fuel-cell refueling station, a town “energy center,” and a dormitory for students from abroad.

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The smart city is aiming to reduce total carbon dioxide emissions by 40% (as compared to 2006 levels), and to increase “new energy” usage rates to at least 30%.

A recent press release provides some further details:

The concept plan sets forth the town’s environmental targets, safety and security goals, and rules for the landscapes and operations, seeking to create a town where the participants from different industries collaborate in harmony to achieve the goals. Yokohama City will support the Tsunashima SST project as the city pushes forward its efforts as a “FutureCity,” a model city selected by the Japanese government to address common challenges including the environment.

The Tsunashima SST, at the site of a former Panasonic factory, consists of residential and non-residential facilities. Under the concept of “Innovating the Future Together,” private enterprises and the local government involved aim for an urban smart city, fostering innovations by exploiting synergies among progressive knowledge, technology, and services. They also envision a town that brings together people who want a better future and makes their interactions part of a global network.

…Tokyo Gas Group will install a gas cogeneration system in the town energy center, from which electricity and thermal energy produced by the system will be provided to other facilities. JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation will be involved in operating a refueling station of hydrogen, which is considered as the next-generation energy source, and promote hydrogen supply to fuel-cell vehicles as well as other initiatives toward a future hydrogen-based society. Keio University will open an international student dormitory designed to realize active international exchanges and collaboration with the local community through mechanisms encouraging student-led activities and practical efforts by researchers.

The aim is reportedly to open the “smart town” sometime in 2018.


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James Ayre

James Ayre's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy.

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