"Economic Reconstruction and Urban Planning in Kawasaki City.

"Economic Reconstruction and Urban Planning in Kawasaki City.
Kawasaki City, which developed as the core of the Keihin Industrial Zone during the postwar economic recovery, is the second largest city in Kanagawa Prefecture with a population of approximately 1.2 million. However, the southern part of the city, where factories are concentrated, has suffered from serious pollution and environmental problems due to the mixture of residential and industrial activities. In March 1993, Kawasaki City formulated the "Kawasaki New Era 2010 Plan," a comprehensive plan to realize its goal of "creating a new human city in the age of global citizenship. The plan sets forth five basic directions for urban development: "Improvement of welfare and education," "Creation of a comfortable environment," "Formation of reliable urban functions," "Revitalization of industry," and "Realization of a decentralized society." The city government and citizens share a vision for the future city in the 21st century and are working to revitalize industry, restructure t
he waterfront area, and eliminate the mix of residential and industrial areas to ensure that all aspects of life, from citizens' daily lives to industry, are in harmony with the natural environment. The goal is to create a resource-recycling society that is in harmony with the natural environment, from the daily lives of citizens to industry.
"Eco-Town Concept and Regional Designation.
Based on this plan, Kawasaki City provides information to businesses, applies various subsidy programs, and supports collaboration among businesses. In addition, the city has supported small and medium-sized enterprises in all aspects, including funding, technology, and human resources, in order to foster related industries. In recognition of these efforts, in July 1997, the project was designated as an Eco-town project area by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), and is now involved in the "Kawasaki City Environmentally Harmonious Town Development (Eco-town) Concept Promotion Project.
"Development of a zero-emission industrial park.
The core of the eco-town concept is a zero-emission industrial park, which is located on 8 copper pipe company-owned land (about 8.4 hectares) in Mizue-cho, Kawasaki Ward, and was established as a business cooperative in January 1999 under the leadership of the Environmental Agency, which invited small and medium-sized companies comprising the coastal industrial zone south of the industrial road in Kawasaki Ward to join the park.
"Specific initiatives for zero-emission industrial parks.
Kankyo Jigyodan has been implementing the "Group Installation Building Construction and Transfer Project," a method of relocating factories and business sites to prevent industrial pollution among SMEs in mixed residential-industrial areas, etc. However, for SMEs for which it is difficult for individual companies to promote measures for resource recycling, etc., the grouping of these companies is being sought and a new zero-emission A new construction transfer project was established to support the development of industrial parks. The project undertakes the entire process from preliminary studies, design, acquisition of various approvals, securing of land, creation of industrial parks, and construction of factories and business offices for the project, and Kawasaki was selected as the first project to be undertaken. Currently, 15 companies (with more than 20 planned for the final phase) are participating in the association, and work is underway to finalize the specifics of th
e business plan with the aim of starting operations in 2001.
"Approach and Evaluation of the Eco-Town Project.
As he says, "The ultimate goal of zero emissions is the same, but the approach is very different." While most of the Eco-Town projects in other regions focus on waste policy aimed at waste reduction, Kawasaki's is positioned as a catalyst for industrial policy and other efforts to revitalize industrial zones that have fallen into decline due to hollowing out and the recession. It is positioning itself as.
"Building a sustainable industrial system.
The industrial zone is characterized by the development of logistics infrastructure such as ports, railroads, and canals in the surrounding area, as well as the concentration of energy supply facilities and recycling technologies owned by the fundamental technology companies that have supported Kawasaki's manufacturing up to the present. By organically linking these facilities and technologies, the companies in the complex will be able to cover the areas that cannot be handled by the companies alone.
"Ripple Effects and Future Prospects of Eco-Towns.
As he says, "First, we will work on zero-emission from the industrial park, and by providing the experience and information widely within and outside the city, we aim to spread the zero-emission circle to the entire region. In the future, the entire complex will consider obtaining ISO 14001 certification to build a competitive (i.e., sustainable) resource recycling-oriented industrial system. No matter how much they appeal for environmental preservation and resource recycling, it is difficult to sustain a system that is not economically viable. In this respect, Kawasaki City, which has experienced environmental and pollution problems while developing as a city, has accumulated many pollution prevention and recycling technologies, and is attracting attention as a method that takes advantage of regional characteristics.