Osaka prefecture, together with Osaka city, announced on 27 January that they would make an open call for businesses and concepts to participate in realizing a Super City concept that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI). By soliciting for novel and appealing ideas for a future city, the hope is that it will tie into acquiring a designation from the central government. The deadline for submissions is 26 February.
The target areas are Umekita 2 in Umeda, in the heart of Osaka city, and Yumeshima, which is due to host the World Expo in 2025 before becoming the site for an integrated resort development. If selected, the city will be designated a Super City National Strategy Special Zone and can apply special measures such as deregulation.
Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said of the two target areas, “Both are green fields with no one living there currently, so it would be possible.
“It was difficult to do with typical Japanese ways of thinking but I would like to receive proposals under the spirit of ‘Give it a try’. Osaka is known as a base of innovation. I would like [us] to contribute to that.”
Osaka prefecture and city will host an online Super City Forum on 8 February to popularize the concept of a Super City.
Submissions to the central government close on 26 March and the five designated areas are expected to be selected after April.