Overview
How city planning and urban development should respond to the declining population and risks such as earthquakes, natural disasters, and newly emerging contagious diseases such as COVID-19, as well as a future with new developments such as the advancement of AI and other cutting-edge technologies, is becoming an increasingly important topic for not only the government, but also companies and citizens.
Along with utilizing various data for visibility of the current situation of cities and communities and the challenges they face, at NSRI, we provide optimal solutions for our clients from the aspects of both hard and soft infrastructure through methods including thorough analysis of case studies, and the collection of a broad range of opinions through workshops and other events with stakeholders.
Along with utilizing various data for visibility of the current situation of cities and communities and the challenges they face, at NSRI, we provide optimal solutions for our clients from the aspects of both hard and soft infrastructure through methods including thorough analysis of case studies, and the collection of a broad range of opinions through workshops and other events with stakeholders.
Features and Approaches
Our strength lies in the fact that we are able to go beyond just drafting policies and plans, and engage from start to finish in supporting their realization in real space and their management. In addition, through utilizing a wide range of data such as open and closed data, and collected sensor data; testing advanced technologies such as utilization of 3D urban models; as well as demonstrating and applying technologies by leveraging our extensive networks including those with other companies and academia, we are able to approach problem solving from multiple directions.
Service Details 1
Supporting national policies and formulating guidelines
Against the backdrop of the progressive decline in birth rates and population, it is necessary to significantly change the urban development scheme which had its premise on a growing population. In addition, cities face various challenges, including energy constraints and increasingly serious global environment problems, increased risk of disasters and infectious diseases, and aging social infrastructure. We provide a wide range of support for finding solutions to these issues, including drafting hypotheses on policy challenges, analyzing data and studying cases to verify these hypotheses, making policy proposals and formulating guidelines based on research results, and formulating the urban policies of central government agencies.
Service Details 2
Formulation of master plans, location optimization plans, and others
In response to requests by local governments and other entities, we formulate various plans such as master plans and location optimization plans. In the formulation of these plans, we do not stop at just planning, but draw up plans that are feasible as projects. Specifically, we support endeavors such as the formulation of plans that receive the high understanding of both citizens and local governments through the proper use of various approaches such as the backcasting approach that starts with assuming an ideal vision, the holding of workshops with the participation of various stakeholders including residents, and data-based analysis.
Service Details 3
Urban development along railway lines
In Japan's cities, railway networks grew in line with the city's economic development and rise in population, and transit oriented development (TOD), encompassing development along railway lines and around stations, progressed mainly through the efforts of private railway companies. A new form of development and branding of areas along railways is needed in line with recent changes in the social background. We support local governments in formulating visions for areas along rail lines and town development policies for areas around stations, after clarifying current conditions and issues based on data from local governments along the rail lines.
Service Details 4
Building disaster-resilient communities
With the increasing severity of floods and sediment disasters, the periodic recurrence of mega-quakes such as the Nankai Trough earthquake, and other threats, it would be no exaggeration to say that nowhere in Japan is free from the risk of disasters. Using data-based urban analyses, we support efforts related to building disaster-resilient communities through services such as the formulation of plans for people temporarily stranded in the event of a disaster, which are linked to urban redevelopment projects, and workshops for resident participation that utilize digital technologies.
Service Details 5
Town development that leverages history
One key agenda in the promotion of community-based urban development is the preservation and utilization of buildings, cityscapes, and culture that embody the area's history. Based on plans for utilization of specific buildings and networks with stakeholders, we support town development that reflects the features of the area and makes use of historic buildings in ways acceptable to the community.
Service Details 6
Support for employment of Japan's urban development and technologies in emerging countries
In addition to rapid population growth, urban issues such as traffic congestion and environmental pollution are becoming increasingly serious in emerging countries. The Japanese government and companies are making a united effort to promote the use of Japan's urban development and technologies to solve these problems. Utilizing our experience in urban planning and development in Japan and abroad, as well as our networks with companies, we provide services such as holding seminars and events in collaboration with overseas local governments, companies, and other parties to support the employment of Japanese expertise, such as for Japan's TOD and smart cities, in urban development.