Green urbanism in Japan: From ecotowns to Futurecity

Abstract

Since ancient times, Japanese people have been striving to live in harmony with nature, and it is not surprising that the capital of Japan, the city of Tokyo, is considered to be the first ecological city in the world. It is no coincidence that, in the early 20 th century, the concept of Ebenezer Howard's “Garden City” was realized in the country. In particular, by the initiative of Shibusawa Eiichi, the “father of Japanese capitalism,” in the Den-en-chofu district of Tokyo, with its favorable economic and geo- graphical position, a residential suburb, that still retains a certain flair of exclusivity, was created. Faced with the harmful environmental consequences of rapid economic growth in the post-war period and the predominant development of material-and energy-intensive industries with the highest polluting effect, in the 1980s, Japan began to ecologize large industrial centers. And it was in these cities that the Ecotown project was launched first. Both Japanese and foreign scientists, including those from Russia, have studied different aspects of this project and individual ecotowns. The aim of this article is to investigate how the ideas of green urbanism, embedded in the Ecotown project, are evolving in Japan and how the evolution of ecotowns is expressed in inno- vative urban projects. By analyzing the main ideas of green urbanism, the author shows the embodiment of the ecotown concept in the nationwide low-carbon technology de- velopment programs adopted in recent decades, adapted to local applications, in the creation of various new cities that necessarily include a “green” aspect. Examples of implemented city projects are presented according to these programs and official web- sites of individual cities. Japanese society is aging rapidly, with over 29 % of the popu- lation being over 65 years of age, which has led to complex social problems related to social security, mobility, and the devaluation of local communities. In this regard, more and more innovative ideas and programs are emerging across the country to revi- talize communities and regions. The cities being created are, in essence, an evolution of the ecotown concept and a move towards countrywide low-carbon development while ensuring a high quality of life for all segments of population.