Four More Global Companies Join Smart City Project

The Future Design Center Incorporated Association (FDC) in Japan announced on June 4, 2010, that four more companies are participating in the Smart City Project, which is aimed at developing a next-generation environmental city. The newcomers are Shimizu Corp., a construction company and developer, Itochu Corp., a trading company, Hitachi Ltd., an electronics manufacturer, and Yamatake Corporation, a manufacturer of measurement and control equipment -- all leading companies in Japan. This is the first project of the FDC, which focuses on finding solutions to national problems.

The FDC and six companies including Sharp Corp., a major Japanese electronics manufacturer, established a joint venture, Smart City Planning Inc., in September 2009 to implement the project in a technical partnership with the University of Tokyo. Tokyo Electric Power Company has joined the company as an observer.

The goals of the project are: (1) a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through introducing renewable energy as well as promoting energy saving, (2) provision of global solutions to meet the local needs of various regions around the world for future applicability, (3) improvement in quality of life, and (4) contribution to environmental industries in Japan. The project aims to develop cutting-edge models of a social system that can be employed in Japan and around the world. A domestic next-generation environmental city plan is currently being implemented in the Kashiwanoha area in the city of Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture.

An Alliance of Global Companies to participate in the Smart City Project
http://www.fdc.or.jp/e/news/2009_1218_fdcnews2_e.pdf

Posted: 2010/10/16 06:00:15 AM