In February 2008, Nagoya, one of three major metropolitan areas in Japan, decided to introduce its new Green Zone System, which will take effect from October 31, 2008, as one of a number of measures that ensures the creation of more green space. By cooperating with municipal authorities, citizens, and businesses, the aim is to widely promote the creation of more greening, because the ratio of green space in the city had already decreased 5 percentage points since 1990 to the 24.8 percent reported in 2005.

This system, a revision of the previous Greenery Town Planning Regulation, which applies to the whole urban area within the city, requires new houses, or extensions, and office buildings with certain defined sizes to have greenery on 10 to 20 percent of their lot. If a building plan doesn't meet the standards set when applying for a building permit before construction or upon inspection after construction is completed, then the city will not give an occupancy permit.

The rate of greening required under the new system depends on the intended use of an area. In urban commercial districts, for example, 10 percent is required for buildings of more than 500 square meters, and 15 to 20 percent is required for buildings of more than 300 square meters in residential or industrial areas in outlying regions. The method of greening can include wide variations such as planting turf, other plants, flowerbeds, and rooftop or wall greenery.

http://www.city.nagoya.jp/global/en/

Posted: 2008/06/23 11:43:33 PM

TAG Ecosystem , Global warming , Local government