A Multi-Generational, Health-Centered Smart Town that Proposes a Model Society
The Suita Sustainable Smart Town (located in Kishibenaka, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture; hereafter referred to as “Suita SST”) will celebrate its grand opening on April 29 of this year with the completion of the commercial complex. The town will also include condominiums for families and seniors, shared housing for singles, a wellness complex (serviced housing for the elderly, a group home for the elderly with dementia, housing with home-care services, and educational and childcare facilities), and a community park, which are already complete and awaiting the opening.
United under the “Suitable Town for Fine Tomorrows” concept, companies from different industries are cooperating to develop multidisciplinary initiatives that bring to life a model society. In addition, the town aims to create a society where carbon neutrality is the norm: a well-being society where everyone can enjoy their lives. This is Panasonic’s third Sustainable Smart Town project, but its first in the Kansai region, centered around Osaka. The Suita SST Council (chaired by Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd.) which has been spearheading the town’s development will also be involved in the town’s operation and will continuously conduct state-of-the-art field experiments there to encourage cross-generational interaction among residents.
With regards to energy, Suita SST aims to become Japan’s first “Renewable Energy 100 Town.”*1 Steps will be taken for collectively receiving electricity for use by the whole area, as well as the application of renewable energy and non-fossil fuel energy certificates, in an effort to cover virtually 100% of the town’s electricity consumption through renewable energy sources. Moreover, efforts will be made to improve the town’s energy resilience through technologies like solar power generation,
storage batteries, EVs, and advanced gas equipment for residential facilities.
To ensure security, the town will be equipped with a system that utilizes AI and sophisticated 4K cameras capable – An advanced town built through cross-sector, inter-industry co-creation enters operation phase.
Panasonic’s first sustainable smart town in the Kansai region located in western Japan of storing and analyzing image data to detect falls, congestion, wheelchairs, white canes, and the like. On the wellness front, educational, medical, and social welfare services will be provided to support all generations from children to the elderly, and IoT will be used to detect cognitive function decline among the elderly. Furthermore, an evidence-based building code to support healthy town planning has been created. With respect to community, cross-generational interaction will be promoted through the establishment of a central park, and the Suita SST
Town Management will help foster a sense of community.
Town planning for Suita SST will also include initiatives aimed at increasing the value of the region through reciprocal links with Northern Osaka Health and Biomedical Innovation Town*2 (NohBIT) which Suita City is developing nearby. The project also aims to contribute to the resolution of societal issues faced by Japan—a super-aging society—achieve the SDGs, reach Society 5.0, and contribute to EXPO 2025 and other projects in the Kansai region.
*1 The goal is to procure virtually 100% of the energy consumed by the town from renewable energy sources. This goal will be achieved for at least five years after the town’s opening. This is the first initiative in Japan that involves an entire town,
including commercial and residential facilities. (According to a survey conducted by Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.)
*2 Northern Osaka Health and Biomedical Innovation Town that stretches across Suita and Settsu City. Link: https://kento.osaka.jp/ (Japanese).
Suita SST Overview
From young people to families and seniors, Suita SST is meant to be a town that promotes cross-generational interaction. It is comprised of 362 residences, a wellness and commercial complex, and a community park that encourages exchange.
Name: Suita Sustainable Smart Town (Suita SST)
Location: Kishibenaka 5-Chome, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Development
Area: 23,379.79 m2
Facility Overview
・Family condominiums available for sale (Parknade Grand Suita SST)
Units: 100; 8 stories; Site area: 3,921.48 m2
(Managed by Pana Homes Gojinsha Community Co., Ltd.)
・Senior condominiums available for sale (Parknade Suita SST Ekura)
Units: 126; 8 stories; Site area: 3,782.62 m2
(Managed by Nakagin Integration Inc.)
・Shared housing for singles (OGU HOUSE Suita SST)
Units: 73; 6 stories; Site area: 803.69 m2
(Managed by Osaka Gakuin University)
・Wellness complex (Gakken Multigenerational Square Suita SST)
7 stories; Site area: 2,142.66 m2
Communal hall; serviced housing for the elderly – 63 units; a group
home for the elderly with dementia; housing with home-care services;
and educational and childcare facilities
(Managed by Gakken Group)
・Commercial complex (Oasis Town Suita SST)
4 stories (shops in the 1st and 2nd floor); Site area: 9,150.76 m2
(Managed by Hankyu Oasis Co., Ltd.)
・Community Park (Known as: Suita Suitable square)
Site area: 1,408.97 m2
Concept Suitable Town for Fine Tomorrows
Grand Opening April 29, 2022