In order to create greenery as much as possible in urban areas where there is little greenery, efforts are made to increase greenery in ways that suit the characteristics of the properties, including rooftop greenery.
Greening Plan for Park City Minami Senrigaoka
At Park City Minami Senrigaoka, through the application of Osaka prefecture's Comprehensive Building Design System (CBDS) (*4), we created approximately 2,784 square meters of green space and have ensured a ratio of green space exceeding 25%(excluding rooftop greenery). In order to allow people to enjoy the changing seasons, we selected different types of tree species, such as evergreen trees and deciduous trees, and will be planting about 17,500 trees.
Furthermore, we will green the rooftops of parking structures and the gymnasium building which amounts to a total of approximately 804 square meters. At the rooftops of the parking structures, we are planning to create flower and vegetable gardens and will be planting trees round about them. Furthermore, near the rooftop vegetable gardens, we will be planting trees which bear fruit, such as olive trees and Chinese orange trees. Moreover, the rooftop vegetable gardens are scheduled to be maintained and operated by a residents' club.
(*4) Comprehensive Building Design System (CBDS): A system where specific government ministries and agencies grant permission to relax floor-area ratio and building height restrictions to developers who will be establishing a public open space within the building's premises to which the public will have free access.
Green Spaces at Park Court Akasaka the Tower
Increase of Greenery at Park Court Akasaka the Tower
The for-sale condominium, Park Court Akasaka the Tower (Minato-ku, Tokyo), is located in an area where there is a lot of green compared to other parts of central Tokyo such as the Akasaka Imperial Residence. We have made use of the land features of the area which is comprised of a hill, and have created a linkage with the surrounding green spaces. By doing so, our goal is to revive urban spaces where human beings and nature can coexist. The area of green space is approximately 3,325 square meters including rooftop greenery (approximately 570 square meters). The ratio of green space is approximately 45%, meaning that a green space of roughly 2.5 times larger than the greenery standard of Minato Ward has been ensured. In the green space, we have planted about 34,000 trees and we have selected tree species upon consideration of the potential natural vegetation of the area.
Greening the earth retaining walls at Park Axis Ebisu
Increase of Greenery at Park Axis Ebisu
The rental condominium, Park Axis Ebisu (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), has a low building-to-land ratio of 44%, indicating that a spacious environment has been ensured. The area of green space amounts to approximately 652 square meters and the ratio of green space is about 16% (excluding rooftop greenery and wall greenery). We have placed tall and medium evergreen trees in places where residents may want to hide their privacy from the public. Furthermore, a space has been created for allowing people to enjoy the four seasons by placing many types of tree species such as evergreen trees and deciduous trees. Moreover, large-scale wall greenery (approximately 231 square meters) has been implemented on earth retaining walls, allowing us to raise the quality of the surrounding environment. In addition, we have greened the rooftops of the buildings (approximately 367 square meters).
In order to allow living organisms to move about and to increase their habitats, or to preserve the living environment of the local area, we have connected greenery which were disconnected in urban areas. In such a way, the Mitsui Fudosan Group is also striving to ensure the connection between greenery.
Connectivity Provided between Green Spaces at Park Court Toranomon Atago Tower
The for-sale condominium, Park Court Toranomon Atago Tower (Minato-ku, Tokyo), is located at the foot of Atagoyama (Atago Hill) and on the opposite side of the road is found the greenery of a temple. In view of this kind of location environment, we provided 3 green spaces to ensure connectivity with the greenery from Atagoyama. We provided 1) a green space for protecting the retaining wall on the Atagoyama side, 2) rooftop greenery, and 3) a green space which serves as a public open space, and we were able to create green spaces which help connect to greenery of Atagoyama and the surrounding greenery. This connection of green spaces was well evaluated and it received the "2009 Minato-ku Green Urban Development Award."
Green Spaces at Park Axis Utsubo Koen
Green Spaces at Park Axis Utsubo Koen are Connected to the Greenery of an Adjacent Park
At the rental condominium, Park Axis Utsubo Koen (Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi), we have established green spaces at the peripheries of the adjacent Utsubo Park, which is right across the street. The area of green space is approximately 46 square meters (a ratio of green space of approximately 5%), but about 30 types of plants have been planted to ensure connection with the greenery of Utsubo Park. Furthermore, we have opened the place to the public in addition to residents, by placing benches, etc. there.
In urban redevelopment, existing trees and woodland are preserved and utilized to the utmost in an effort to protect the precious greenery of urban areas and to pass down the history and memories of the land of each local area.
Preserved trees at Park Court Kagurazaka
Development of Park Court Kagurazaka which Involves the Preservation and Utilization of the Forestry of a Shrine
The for-sale condominium, Park Court Kagurazaka (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), was part of a joint project to develop a shrine and a for-sale condominium at the same time, in tandem with the rebuilding of Akagi Jinja (Akagi Shrine) located in Kagurazaka. During development, existing trees that were nurtured along with the history of the shrine, including camphor trees, zelkova, and ginkgo trees, were preserved or utilized, especially from the approach to the shrine. The tall trees found on the approach, which now also serves as the approach to the condominium complex, were left in their original state before the reconstruction. Trees that could be replanted were placed in the green zone surrounding the condominium complex combined with the planting of new plants.
Tree-planting activities in Canada
Procurement of Environmentally-Friendly Lumber
Mitsui Home Co., Ltd. procures lumber from Canada which is not only high quality, but is also thoroughly environmentally-friendly. About 85% of structural lumber imported from Canada is taken from forests that have acquired forest certification(*5).
Furthermore, in order to protect the forest resources of Canada, Mitsui Home Group conducts tree-planting activities in Canada.
(*5) Forest certification: A structure where a third party organization evaluates and certifies the forest management level of a forest manager based on standards established by an independent forest certification organization.
