Evaluation of the Funabashi Morino City Project
Funabashi Morino City has received various awards in recognition of its efforts to create an environmentally friendly town that connects people while utilizing advanced technology, knowledge, and IT networks.
The Eco-Quartier certification (environmentally-friendly district certification) is a certification system given to exemplary projects related to sustainable community development promoted by the French government.Funabashi Morino City is the world's first outside of France to acquire Step 3 in 2016 and Step 4 in 2022.
Funabashi Morino City became the first project outside France to win the ÉcoQuartier (eco-district certification) quality label, a certification awarded by the Ministry of Housing and Sustainable Homes of France ("the French Ministry of Housing"). The project was recognized particularly for continuously creating environmental value and developing the foundation for a low-carbon society through collaboration among the government, the private sector, and civil society.
Morino City Neighborhood Association has continued to proactively promote resident-participation-type urban development, and Funabashi City and Nomura Real Estate have applied the knowledge gained from Funabashi Morino City to initiatives in other districts. It is the first project in the world outside of France to receive Step 4.
Assessment of Funabashi Morino City
<Step 3>
Following a review process of approximately one year, the Funabashi Morino City Project was deemed to have satisfied all certification criteria based on its town meetings, energy management system, community development, and support for the local circular economy, and was awarded the certification. Funabashi Morino City was particularly recognized for its participatory community development and its spirit of putting the community first. The certification is a testament to the project owners' sustainable and comprehensive town development efforts.
- Funabashi Morino City Becomes the First Project Outside France to Win ÉcoQuartier Certification - Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. December 9, 2016
- Funabashi Morino City was awarded with ÉcoQuartier Certification - Embassy of France in Tokyo in Japan December 9, 2016
<Step 4>
Funabashi Morino City, which has acquired Step 3, continues to develop a participatory community centered on the Morino City residents' association. Funabashi City is developing projects related to the living environment, the local economy, the environment and the climate, based on the knowledge gained from community development in Funabashi Morino City. At Nomura Real Estate Development, we are promoting community development with the participation of residents by adopting new methods in other districts as well. Each of these efforts will be evaluated..
(Right photo) From left,
Olivier Klein, Minister Delegate of Cities and Housing in the Borne government;
Seiichi Miyajima, Senior President and Director, Nomura Real Estate Development;
Shinya Seki, Vice-chairman of the Morino City Residents’ Association;
Hiroki Yasui, First Secretary to the Japanese Ambassador to France and Deputy Mayor of Funabashi City;
Florian Bercault, Director of the ÉcoQuartier Certification Committee
What is ÉcoQuartier certification
(Label ÉcoQuartier, eco-district certification)?
The French Ministry of Housing and Sustainable Habitation is promoting this certification with the aim of realizing a high quality of life through sustainable urban development. This certification is given to sustainable urban development carried out by governments, private businesses, and residents. Since 2013, 500 projects have entered, and as of November 2022, 74 projects are in Step 3 and Step 4. has a proven track record as a system for promoting sustainable urban development in France, with 14 projects receiving certification.
To obtain ÉcoQuartier certification, a project is reviewed based on 20 criteria under four categories: (1) Approach and process; (2) living environment and uses; (3) territorial development; and (4) preservation of resources and adaptation to climate change.
ÉcoQuartier certification assessment criteria
!["(1)Approach and process[Carrying out projects that meet everyone's needs./Management for the entire project period./Incorporating the life-cycle-cost approach./Taking account of users' practices and managers' constraints./Implementing continuous assessment and improvement practices.] (2)Living environment[Working with the existing city and proposing an appropriate density.Implementing conditions of mutual help./Providing a safe and healthy living environment./Taking account of landscape and architectural qualities./Taking account of landscape and architectural qualities.] (3)Territorial development[Balanced local economic development./Providing a wide range of functions in the community./Optimizing the consumption of resources and developing local sectors and short circuits./Favoring walking/bicycling and public transport./Deploying innovative services and networks.] (4)Preservation of resources and adaption to climate change[aking initiatives to anticipate and adapt to climate changes and risks./Conserving energy and promoting the use of renewable energy resources and recovery./Reducing, recovering and recycling waste./Preserving and managing water resources./Preserving and promoting biodiversity, soils and natural environments.]"](images/ecoquartier/acquisition01_p_01.png)
The Funabashi Morino City project was the winner of the World Smart City Award in the Project category at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2013 held in Barcelona, Spain. The award recognized the project's "Smart & Share Town" concept as an initiative that continuously creates environmental value.
Assessment of Funabashi Morino City
The award recognized the fact that the project is not a project in the experimental stage, but a large-scale private-sector re-development initiative covering housing, commercial facilities, and a hospital that fully incorporated advanced environmental technologies, as well as the fact that it has developed low-carbon infrastructure by incorporating mechanisms for area management.
< Reasons for the Award >
- The project is based on an innovative urban re-development plan that combines a wide variety of smart city solutions, such as energy efficiency improvement, sustainable environmental considerations, and the use of information communication technologies.
- These initiatives are playing effective and crucial roles in community activities.
World Smart Cities Awards
The Smart City Expo World Congress 2013, an international conference and exhibition, was held in Barcelona, Spain. Some 9,000 visitors from nearly 400 cities from 29 countries participated in this conference dedicated to the development of a sustainable society.
PROUD Funabashi
(MIRA SATO: Futuristic Hometown Project) (FY 2013)
In the PROUD Funabashi project, advanced low-carbon infrastructure was built while incorporating traditional wisdom associated with housing, including the flow of wind and greenery. By fostering the residents' civic pride and encouraging them to participate in community activities, the project aimed to help energize the community continually. The objective of the project was to develop a futuristic hometown where the burden on the environment is reduced through the fusion of human expertise, nature and technologies, and to help residents form bonds and develop a supportive relationship with one another.
Morino City Green Curtain Project
a project undertaken by the entire community to grow green curtains (FY 2013)
The Morino City Green Curtain Project was designed to support the residents of Morino City in growing green curtains. In PROUD Funabashi, equipment for growing green curtains was installed on the balconies. A total of 273 households in Blocks 1 and 2 of PROUD Funabashi (a total of 573 units) participated in the project and nurtured green curtains. Various programs were implemented to help residents play an active role in building an eco-friendly town, including the participation of day care centers, commercial facilities, and seniors' association.
FORESTCITY BIGBAND
community development through music (FY 2014)
Forestcity Bigband was formed to empower local residents to develop a community identity and pride through daily cultural activities. The band started performing in May 2013 with the support of Yamaha Music Japan. Many residents, ranging in age from elementary school to seniors, have joined the band, enriching the cultural life of the community.
Morino City Residents' Association
A platform for fostering a sustainable community (FY 2015)
The Morino City Machizukuri Council was established as a forum for residents and companies to discuss ways to create a better city.
The main activities are necessary for all residents, such as environmental beautification and disaster prevention.
Aimed at self-management by members.
In 2015, the third year after its establishment, the council was registered as the "Mori no City Neighborhood Association" as the residents' association of Funabashi City.
Even now, nearly 90% of residents have joined, and many proactive efforts are being made.
