Open AccessTokyo's city sustainability: Strategy and plans for net zero emissions by 2050
Author(s) -
Toh Chai K.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
iet smart cities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2631-7680
DOI - 10.1049/smc2.12033
Subject(s) - urbanization , sustainability , zero emission , megacity , smart city , government (linguistics) , population , sustainable city , business , capital city , environmental planning , capital (architecture) , sustainable development , geography , greenhouse gas , urban planning , transformational leadership , economic growth , economy , civil engineering , political science , engineering , economics , sociology , economic geography , philosophy , law , ecology , linguistics , archaeology , biology , embedded system , public relations , demography , electrical engineering , internet of things
Abstract Japan has long embarked on the city transformation journey, from green city to eco city, ubiquitous city, sustainable city, and now zero‐emission city. A smart city is not considered smart if it is not green, not sustainable, and not environmentally friendly. The journey is long but progressive, and the Japanese government has been supportive in its city transformational efforts. Japanese cities are marked by distinctive local cultures, habitat, people, food, beliefs, history etc. From Tokyo to Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kobe and Yokohama, cities in Japan have advanced into high levels of urbanisation. The increase in population and traffic utilisation have resulted in higher energy demands and pollution of the environment. These concerns have motivated Japan to strive for cities with zero‐emission and Tokyo, as the country's capital, will lead in this drive. The author outlines the current situation in Japan, the impact of global warming and climate change, presents the motivation behind the new strategy, and narrates and discusses Tokyo city’s zero‐emission strategy and execution plans and how it works towards achieving net zero by 2050.