Blog post -

The underpinnings of a successful smart city

As smart cities are becoming more and more prevalent around the world, we also see an increasing number of new innovations in design and technology. However, it is often easy to simply associate ‘smart’ with buildings or cities that run in automation or with robotics and provide connection to data and services in order to improve services and eco-friendliness.

Just like many city government-led projects around the world, such technological innovations can be found in Panasonic’s smart city projects – but it doesn’t end there. While most cities are made ‘smart’ through integrating technology into already-existing lifestyles, Panasonic’s housing solutions is using its innovations in design and technology to offer a new, redefined lifestyle that connects residents not only to information but also to each other and the particular environment in which we reside.

Looking closely at Panasonic’s smart city project Fujisawa SST as an example, the city has been developed to carefully integrate the environment. In addition, the layout promotes a natural breeze that stems from the nearby ocean through the streets and paths, which helps cool the town and its buildings in an eco-friendly manner as well as connects residents with each other and town management in a natural manner.

As the town is designed in a cylindrical fashion with a limited number of entrances and exits, breezes flow into the city without the ‘wind tunnel’ effect found in many already-established towns and cities. Such design also leads to the sense of safety and sense of connection among the town residents. In addition to this natural security, the town also integrates a virtual security system through multiple cameras to keep a low-profile watch of the area, providing a safe but non-obtrusive environment for its residents.

Panasonic Energy Management System

To ensure that the town can provide a comfortable eco-friendly lifestyle, each home of Fujisawa SST is installed with Panasonic’s solar panels and storage batteries – as well as a portal system that allows households to monitor their respective energy usage. And smarter living becomes even more personal through the provision of not only applicable hardware but also a system that helps motivate residents to take more initiative in leading eco-friendly lives.

Other services offered through this smart town ensure technology does not cause a divide but rather promotes community building. Through a resident-only community service platform, homeowners can also easily interact with their neighbours or learn about town group events through their mobile phones to further solidify community ties. In addition, mobility services offered by the town allow reservation of electric cars and bicycles – making sure residents in the community can enjoy an active lifestyle within and outside of the community.

“Panasonic places great importance on the development of sustainable towns,” says Kohjiroh Wakabayashi, Managing Director of Panahome Asia Pacific and Project Manager of the Fujisawa SST project. “The foundations for this,” Mr. Wakabayashi says, “are consideration for the environment and a better way of living. By building smart cities, we can reduce energy consumption. But by creating a township that enables the participation of its citizens, this creates long-lasting community values and a truly sustainable future. This is what should define a smart city.”

By integrating these added services as a definition of requirements for a smart city, the Panasonic Group is striving to build the foundations for a new way of sustainable living – where Fujisawa SST and other smart cities by Panasonic will serve as a benchmark for the rest of Asia.

To find out more about smart city initiatives by Panasonic, subscribe to this blog or visit our LinkedIn to share your thoughts and ideas on what makes a smart city and how ASEAN cities can benefit.

Related links

Topics

  • Building, property

Categories

  • japan
  • fujisawa sst
  • corporate
  • homes & living
  • smart city

Related content

Building Foundations for Smarter Cities From the Ground Up

With megacities in Asia developing at a breakneck pace, smarter sustainable developments are becoming readily necessary. Read how Panasonic is building the foundation and defining what smart cities should be through key developments in Japan.

Pretty, Green: How the Changing Aesthetics of Sustainable Living are Winning over Consumers

​As the technology for generating and managing renewable energy sources becomes more sophisticated, a rising number of governments, companies and private consumers are waking up to the possibilities of sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. But one of the main criticisms that persist is their lack of aesthetic appeal. How is this evolving and winning over customers in society today?

Safe as Houses: How “Smart” Cities Are Reinventing Urban Security for the Digital Age

Modern advancements in digital technology, have steadily reduced the need for obtrusive physical barriers and there is a growing trend towards ultra-discreet security systems and low-profile personal safety solutions among Asia’s wealthy.

Here Comes the Sun: Why ASEAN Homeowners are Turning to Solar Power

Energy needs pose various challenges for ASEAN countries as economic development reaches unprecedented growth in the past 25 years. Read how each country has been looking at opportunities in renewable resources.

Sustainability Begins at Home: The New Breed of Eco-friendly “Smart” Houses

Though there may be some who continue to debate its very existence, it is difficult to deny that climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. And while tackling the problem relies largely on governments making changes at a global level, increased awareness of the causes of climate change has led to a seismic shift in mindset at the consumer level.

After Years of Hype, "Smart" Cities Are Finally Taking Hold

​Billed as the future of urban living, “smart” cities have been on the horizon—and the drawing board—for more than a decade. But this new breed of digitally integrated metropolis, in which embedded technology is used to enhance standards of living and sustainability, is no longer a mere pipe dream as the first wave of “smart” cities has come to fruition in a variety of locations around the world.

Sustainable residential design: Is it worth the money?

One of the main reasons why home builders don't embrace sustainable design is because of the extra costs involved. However, while the initial cost of a sustainable home may be higher, if you look at this as an investment in future savings, the picture changes. In the long run, a sustainable home is a more economical home.

Where is Green Building Headed in SEA?

As the world's population increases, more and more people in urbanised areas. Sustainable building is now entering the mainstream as a way to conserve natural resources, save costs in the long run and support population increase in major countries around the world. We take a look at where green building is headed in Southeast Asia.

Mass-market green living: Net-zero homes

Is the choice between a “net-zero” home and high energy bills (and inadvertently contributing to global warming) an easy one to make?

The Future of Urban Infrastructure: Sustainable Smart Cities

As digital technologies get more and more integrated into our way of life, these smart cities offer a glimpse into the future of sustainable living.

Evolution of Green Building Technologies in Asia [Infographic]

In recent years, Asia has seen much advancement in eco-friendly and sustainable building technologies, from establishing government regulations to support green building, to the development of entire smart cities. Here's a top down look at how green building technologies have developed in Asia over the last decade.

Japanese technology sets the pace for smart homes in Asia

The smart home industry in Asia is due for an accelerated boost, with Japanese technology paving the way. Here’s how.

Managing energy efficiency in small spaces

While Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) are frequently thought to be more applicable for large spaces, it’s surprising how BEMS can help manage energy efficiently in small spaces as well, saving precious energy and money in the long term.

Structural solutions for homes in earthquake-prone zones

As building technology evolves today, so do building strategies to help mitigate the damage in some of the world’s more earthquake-prone areas.

How Japanese policymakers shape the future of sustainable living

Asia’s growing urban population is placing the environment under heavy strain, but Japan is proving we can implement effective policies for a greener future.
Over the last few decades, Asian economies have experienced a phenomenal rise to prominence on the global stage. Making way for socioeconomic growth, however, has incurred heavy costs: overexploitation of resources, degradation of the envi

Five solutions for smart living and town development

The inaugural Panasonic Developers’ Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia highlighted Panasonic’s key proposals for smart town development. Here are five of the top picks.

How green building ratings can revolutionise wide-scale sustainable living

With the proliferation of different green building ratings systems, indexes and certifications over the past two decades, it’s time to explore how this trend affects green building in Asia.

The future of smart home living

With technology becoming firmly embedded in our lives, how will the modern home of the year 2020 look? Panasonic unveils its vision for the ideal connected home of the future.

Changing the way we build green

At the Panasonic Developers Forum held in September 2015, attendees heard from Mr. Tai Lee Siang, Group Managing Director for Singapore-based architecture consultancy ONG&ONG, and Vice Chairman of the World Green Building council. We speak to Mr. Tai about his thoughts about climate change, how space is being utilised by cities currently, as well as his vision of urban cities of the future.

Is the age of the 3D printed building upon us?

There has been a lot of buzz about 3D-printed buildings, but is there any validity to the hype? Here’s what we think.
3D printing is at a tipping point, poised to go mainstream in ways that promise to upheave even the most stubbornly traditional of industries. Even the construction sector, typically among the last to innovate, is beginning to explore ways to incorporate 3D printing technologies

Smart homes. Smarter insulation.

Green homes and smart insulation are synonymous today, since the combination not only enhances structural aesthetics but lowers energy costs. Here’s how.
Ensuring comfort in a home requires that the focus remains not just on structural robustness and aesthetics but also on the surroundings and how they affect you. In this context, a key area of consideration is insulation.
The case for insul