Funabashi Mori-no City, an eco-friendly town being developed in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture by Mitsubishi Corp. and Nomura Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. was awarded a prize in the project category of the World Smart Cities Award during Smart City Expo World Congress 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. The concept “Smart & Share Town,” which initiates continuous activities to improve the town’s environmental values was highly recognized at the competition.

The project includes apartment buildings of 1497 households, 42 houses and a large shopping mall, a hospital, and a child daycare in the area of 17.6 ha. People in the community share spaces and energy in an efficient way. Introducing advanced environmental technologies and ICT as well as traditional wisdoms of living such as flow of wind and effective use of sunlight, the town establishes the low-carbon urban foundation.

Town Energy Management System, TEMS monitors the energy consumption of the area, encouraging residents to save energy usage. Visualization of energy use through internet and reduction of electricity charges by dispersion of use of electric appliances are also offered to the residents. Electricity generated by photovoltaic panels on the roof is used for quick chargers for electric vehicles. (2013/12/24)