{"data":{"news":{"items":[{"title":"Toyota to build prototype city of the future - the Woven City","date":"2020-01-07 11:20:55","id":1920,"author":"","blurb":"","blurb_image_uid":"https://dxfpracgmlczp.cloudfront.net/2020/01/1578367741631_20200107_01_01.jpg","blurb_expanded_image_uid":null,"article":"\n\t\n\n\n

Toyota has just revealed its plans to build a prototype ‘city’ of the future on a 175-acre site at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Called the Woven City, the development will be a fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

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Envisioned as a ‘living laboratory,’ the Woven City will serve as a home to full-time residents and researchers who will be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence (AI) in a real-world environment.

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“Building a complete city from the ground up, even on a small scale like this, is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for the city’s infrastructure. With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors, we will be able to test connected AI technology... in both the virtual and the physical realms... maximising its potential,” said Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation.

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According to Toyota, the company will extend an open invitation to collaborate with other commercial and academic partners and invite interested scientists and researchers from around the world to come work on their own projects in this one-of-a-kind, real-world incubator.

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“We welcome all those inspired to improve the way we live in the future, to take advantage of this unique research ecosystem and join us in our quest to create an ever-better way of life and mobility for all,” said Mr Toyoda.

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For the design of Woven City, Toyota has commissioned Danish architect, Bjarke Ingels, CEO of Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). “A swarm of different technologies are beginning to radically change how we inhabit and navigate our cities. Connected, autonomous, emission-free and shared mobility solutions are bound to unleash a world of opportunities for new forms of urban life. With the breadth of technologies and industries that we have been able to access and collaborate with from the Toyota ecosystem of companies, we believe we have a unique opportunity to explore new forms of urbanity with the Woven City that could pave new paths for other cities to explore,” said Mr Ingels.

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Design of the city

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The masterplan of the city includes the designations for street usage into three types: for faster vehicles only; for a mix of lower speed, personal mobility and pedestrians; and for a park-like promenade for pedestrians only. These three street types weave together to form an organic grid pattern to help accelerate the testing of autonomy.

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The city is planned to be fully sustainable, with buildings made mostly of wood to minimise the carbon footprint, using traditional Japanese wood joinery, combined with robotic production methods. The rooftops will be covered in photo-voltaic panels to generate solar power in addition to power generated by hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota plans to weave in the outdoors throughout the city, with native vegetation and hydroponics.

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Residences will be equipped with the latest in human support technologies, such as in-home robotics to assist with daily living. The homes will use sensor-based AI to check occupants’ health, take care of basic needs and enhance daily life, creating an opportunity to deploy connected technology with integrity and trust, securely and positively.

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To move residents through the city, only fully-autonomous, zero-emission vehicles will be allowed on the main thoroughfares. In and throughout Woven City, autonomous Toyota e-palettes will be used for transportation and deliveries, as well as for changeable mobile retail.

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Both neighbourhood parks and a large central park for recreation, as well as a central plaza for social gatherings, are designed to bring the community together. Toyota believes that encouraging human connection will be an equally important aspect of this experience.

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Toyota plans to populate Woven City with Toyota Motor Corporation employees and their families, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists, and industry partners. The plan is for 2,000 people to start, adding more as the project evolves.

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The groundbreaking for the site is scheduled to take place in early 2021.

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Any parties interested in partnering with Toyota on the development of Woven City, please check: woven-city.global

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All images: Bjarke Ingels Group

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Keppel Land Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, has entered into a joint venture with the Indian developer Rustomjee Group to jointly develop the 51.4-ha Urbania integrated township located in Thane, a district within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India.

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This is reportedly the first such collaboration between a Singaporean developer and an Indian developer for a township in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which is among India’s fastest-growing regions. Since its launch in 2006, the Urbania township has housed 2,700 residential units amid comprehensive amenities.

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Keppel Land will be acquiring a 49% stake in the joint venture company, Kapstone Constructions Private Limited. “Our collaboration with the Rustomjee Group for this maturing integrated township is in line with Keppel Land’s strategy to strengthen our presence in high-growth areas such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The partnership has landed on a rare opportunity of a development of such scale in Mumbai, which is experiencing rapid demand for quality homes,” said Ho Kiam Kheong, president (India) at Keppel Land.

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“We will leverage the Rustomjee Group's extensive network and deep knowledge of the local property market, as well as Keppel Land’s international experience and strong execution capabilities to develop a highly liveable and vibrant township,” added Mr Ho. Completion of the acquisition is expected to take place around the first quarter of 2020.

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Upon completion of the acquisition, Keppel Land and Rustomjee Group will jointly develop an addition of about 7,400 homes and retail units with a total gross floor area of approximately 5 mil sq ft. The development cost for the first phase under the joint venture, which will comprise approximately 460 residential units, is expected to be approximately INR 4,016 million.

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Boman Irani, chairman of the Rustomjee Group said, “In our endeavour to continue serving the growing housing and commercial developments of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, we are pleased to partner with Keppel Land, an established premier developer from Singapore with a legacy of over a hundred years and with an international experience in key Asian markets. Our interactions with the Keppel Land team has been a great experience of sharing and learning. We are confident that this joint venture will be a win-win partnership. This is a beginning of two large developers coming together to build a strong partnership in the Mumbai Metropolitian Region market and we look forward to great growth together.”

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Image: Keppel Land

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Global design firm Lead8 recently celebrated the launch of the Kiara Bay masterplan - joining UEM Sunrise and Melati Ehsan Group for the official unveiling event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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The 73-acre masterplan is poised to transform one of Kuala Lumpur’s earliest townships into an inspiring eco-living destination. Located next to the popular Kepong Metropolitan Park that covers 235 acres and nearby the historical 1357-acre FRIM (Forest Research Institute of Malaysia), the new development offers a first-of-its-kind living experience in Malaysia’s capital.

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“Our design has been informed by the significance of this site in Kuala Lumpur. To be located along one of the premier and most popular lake parks in the city is quite special. As such, sustainability and liveability have been the two main drivers of our masterplan – creating an eco-aware community which celebrates its biodiversity,” said Meeta Patel, co-founder and executive director at Lead8.

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Lead8’s masterplan seeks to emulate the balance of city, nature and leisure and is comprised of three main districts – The Waters, The Walk and The Village. Embracing the 140-acre lake at the heart of the site, ‘The Waters’ district is defined by the landmark towers, which provide the visual reference points for the development and sweeping views of the landscape.

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The major leisure and retail district featuring integrated office, hotel and serviced apartments sits at the centre of the design. Known as ‘The Walk’, the area is the connective point to the retail destination, MRR2 interchange, MRT link road and a 10-minute walk or three minute cycle to all parts of the township. Anchoring the east of Kiara Bay is the compact community cluster known as ‘The Village’, designed around a lively community park and fronted by a wellness centre, retirement living, community retail hub and education facility.

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By activating the lakefront and interconnecting a series of retail, leisure and community spaces, the masterplan seeks to maximise the pedestrian and cycle experience for visitors and residents. Supporting healthier lifestyles, improving air quality and reducing vehicular traffic demand, helps to elevate the long term liveability and sustainability of Kiara Bay.

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“Accessibility and sustainable mobility were extremely important in the planning process for this development. These design strategies help create a platform for liveable neighbourhoods and inclusive communities as well ensure the complete offer of Kiara Bay, from healthcare to education, culture, environment and technology, can thrive,” said David Buffonge, co- founder and executive director at Lead8.

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According to Lead8, the design has been guided by the EIU Global Liveability Index, Mercer Quality of Living Factors and the UN Sustainable Development Goals emphasising sustainable cities and communities. The design is expected to be implemented over the next decade, integrating with the latest cellular network technology and becoming the home to a population of more than 40,000 once complete.

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