Care for and Activation of Communities
Risk Management
Approach and Policies
The Nomura Real Estate Group is committed to working with all stakeholders, including local communities and tenants, through dialogue, to resolve the social issues they face and to revitalize local communities.
Recognizing that local communities are facing issues such as dysfunctional and declining vitality of the community due to falling birthrates, aging populations, and an increasing number of vacant houses, as well as the weakening of social connections, we will help foster connections among customers and local communities through our architectural design efforts and operational and administrative services.
In this way, we will contribute to the realization of a symbiotic society by facilitating mutual aid in times of emergency and revitalizing local communities.
In particular, in terms of local issues related to disaster prevention, the company conducts regular disaster drills together with tenants and the local community. Also, in terms of community issues, the Group's employees participate in volunteer cleanup activities and local events, such as "Nihonbashi Wash" and "Fireflies in the City" exhibition, to engage in dialogue and exchange with local community members, and the Group is promoting the "Be UNITED Concept" to create a community that is connected to the local community.
In real estate development and urban development, we also consider the impact on the living environment and business environment of existing local communities, and strive to build ongoing relationships of trust with our stakeholders.
Engagement with Local Communities
Our Group, as a corporate entity that develops businesses in the community, places emphasis on engaging with stakeholders, including those who live and work in the condominiums and office buildings we own, and neighborhood associations, to play a role in revitalizing the community and region. Recognizing the importance of gaining a full understanding and endorsement of the Group’s stance and policies toward regional and community revitalization, we focus on establishing the foundations of strong local communities through various forms of engagement.
Specifically, Group companies facilitate communication between customers as well as between customers and municipalities and government when community events, such as summer festivals and Christmas events, are held at office buildings and commercial facilities. In addition, in order to facilitate easy communication, we set up suggestion boxes at commercial facilities and inquiry counters for customer input when they experience problems.
Indicators and Goals
Performance Data
Results of Community Revitalization Support for Revitalizing Local Communities
| FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly constructed residential properties with facilities that contribute to local communities | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | |
| Number of community Be ACTO*1 opened (cumulative total) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Number of Be ACTO members | ー | ー | 1,306 | 1,732 | |
| Number of elementary school programs organized | ー | ー | 10 | 35 | |
| Number of preoccupancy housewarming events at residential properties | ー*1 | ー*1 | 11 | 20 | |
| Number of companies that participated in tenant networking events at mid-sized office brand PMO | ー*1 | ー*1 | ー*1 | 85 |
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*1No events were held in fiscal 2020, 2021, or 2022 to help contain the spread of COVID-19. From fiscal 2023, we are also adding H¹O results.
For more information on Be ACTO, please visit the Be ACTO website.
Engagement with Stakeholders to Revitalize Regions and Communities
| Stakeholders | Forms of Engagement | Frequency | Engagement Themes (Details) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local community | Be ACTO: A form of community management that we run alongside operations | Various events held irregularly | Creating a town that continues to think about and generate local value with local residents |
| Local community | Be UNITED initiative: Collaboration with NPOs, government, and local communities | Implemented according to the collaborator | Working with diverse local stakeholders to enhance value and local attractions |
| Tenants | Number of companies participating in exchange meetings | Several times a year | Encouraging interaction among users of our mid-scale office brand PMO, leading to increased value of use and the well-being of users |
| Residents | Exchange meetings held before moving in | Prior to move-in for each condominium | Making our tenants feel at ease before moving into a residential condominium, as well as serving as a foundation for community-building |
Initiatives
Plans and Designs that Revitalize Communities
The Group promotes plans and designs that support development and revitalization so that customers, including residents and tenant companies, can develop communities over the long term after they take up occupancy.
100 Design Techniques for Condominium Communities
The Group formulated the 100 Design Techniques for Condominium Communities (the “100 Design Techniques”) through an industry-academia joint research project with the graduate school of Japan Women’s University and reflects these techniques in condominium product planning. The 100 Design Techniques organize plans and designs for revitalizing communities based on the results of surveys on the status of use of common areas in condominiums developed by the Group and on surveys of livability satisfaction.
The objective is to create comfortable communities where residents respect the individual lifestyles of others and can support one another during emergencies, such as in the event of a disaster.
Tenant-Only Community Floor NEON
At the Shinjuku Nomura Building (where our headquarters and several Group companies are located, in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) and the Hamamatsucho Building (located in Minato-ku, Tokyo), the Group created community floors for the exclusive use of officers and employees of tenant companies and the Group. The aim is to increase options for places for internal and external interactions and working, and the spaces are used for dining, coworking and holding events.
H¹O, a Small Office with Support Services
Common areas of buildings of the new H¹O series, which are being developed by the Group, provide spaces that are designed to enable people to switch on and off from work. H¹O will not only provide places with aroma air conditioning and shower rooms (for some properties) where a person can take a rest and relax but also provide healthy foods and organize various training and events in order to promote community formation among tenant workers.
Flow Plan for Naturally Building Community in Common Area
Under its flow plan, the Group has constructed common areas (main and guest dining rooms, karaoke and theaters, fitness studios, community cafés, large bathrooms, etc.) on the first floor of OUKAS, as a health-promoting rental senior residence that allows people to gather and naturally interact.
Operation and Management that Support Community Revitalization
The Group also holds social events for residents and tenant companies, issues newsletters and engages in other initiatives to help customer communities function in a healthy manner over the long term after taking up occupancy. In fiscal 2022, we held 11 preoccupancy housewarming events at residences. For office buildings, we held three tenant company networking events for "PMO" and "H¹O" in fiscal 2023, with a total of 85 companies participating.
Activation of Communities Based on the BE UNITED Initiative
The Group recognizes that engagement does not end when the building is completed and, thus, strives to deliver value that helps customers to form trusting relationships with residents over the long term after taking up occupancy. From the development stage, we collaborate with NPOs, governmental bodies, and local communities to stimulate conversations within communities through projects and activities over long periods and strive to develop communities by reaffirming their value and creating positive cycles of interaction.
Farming experience at the Setagaya Farm
GEMS HIROO CROSS (EAT PLAY WORKS)
Food Truck Project (2020–2022)
Creating Circular Communities through Be ACTO Area Management
Be ACTO is a system in which the Group participates in area management. We believe the purpose of area management is to continuously recognize and generate local value together with the people who live there. By continuing to help establish a sense of inter-dependence among area residents, we hope to create seedbeds for fostering multigenerational and circulatory communities that are unique to each area. Since the first project at Be ACTO Hiyoshi, we have launched the initiative at various areas including Be ACTO Minamiyama and Be ACTO Kameido.
Ties Between OUKAS Funabashi and Local Communities
The Group periodically makes available the fitness studio and community cafe at OUKAS Funabashi, which is health-promoting senior rental housing, to local residents as a hub for health support and multi-generational social interaction.
Connecting Fitness Clubs with Local Communities and Schools
We believe that sports have an immense impact on developing the abilities of growing children, especially if there is a focus on non-cognitive skills, such as self-esteem, perseverance and cooperation. To help children develop non-cognitive skills, our Megalos fitness club created the Kodomo Mirai Project (project for children’s futures), which connects Megalos with local communities, actively provides a place to develop children’s non-cognitive skills, and contributes to creating stronger communities.
To successfully implement a project designed for children, Megalos must maintain and strengthen its ties with the local community, kindergartens, nursery schools and schools, which play an important role in children’s growth. For that reason, Megalos is making various efforts, such as holding swimming and physical education classes at its location, conducting lessons at schools, and renting out swimming pools.
In recognition of these efforts, the club received the Good Design Award in 2020.
Kodomo Mirai Project
Contributions to Local Communities and Society
Communication through Educational Programs
As part of our new urban development efforts aimed at creating “New Value, Real Value,” our Group is developing and providing educational programs to foster children’s interest in their town and to get them thinking together about the things which are important to it. In addition to field-trip lessons such as “Watching over the community,” developed under the supervision of Tokyo Gakugei University, and “Oshi no Ki,” developed together with students from the Faculty of Education at Saitama University, we also have “Machi-Oni,” developed in collaboration with the Graduate School of Keio University, which is a program that incorporates a local tag game that both adults and children can enjoy together. In addition to sports-related lessons such as swimming, MIRAIKU, and physical education, our MEGALOS sports club also operates the Kids After School program to offer these programs.
Establishing Relationships of Trust with Local Communities
When conducting real estate and urban development, we focus on building consensus and relationships of trust with local governments, landowners and residents in the areas where we operate.
Neighborhood Briefings
The Group states in its human rights policy that it aims to coexist in harmony with local communities in the countries and regions in which it operates. In each of these locations, the Group shall foster and support sustainable communities that continue to attract a diverse group of people. The Group shall also respect human rights related to the lives and health of local residents affected by its business activities by ensuring the safety of its buildings and taking into consideration the impact of construction work on the surrounding environment, including noise, vibration, and dust.
We understand that construction often causes concerns for local residents, particularly about the possible deterioration of water quality and landslides, noise, vibration and debris, as well as accidents caused by falling objects. To clearly and sincerely respond to these concerns, we hold briefings with residents who are near development sites and place top priority on the safety and security of these residents during construction.
Giving Consideration to Ease of Access to Public Transportation Services
When acquiring land and properties, the Group gives consideration to the accessibility to public transportation services in all cases to improve quality of life and ease of access for customers.
Employment and Procurement from Communities
The Group is promoting employment and procurement from local communities in which it conducts business to contribute to their continuous development and establish an ongoing relationship of trust with them. In particular, we actively utilize local specialty products in our hotel business and employ local staff at our overseas businesses.
Improving the Well-being of Building Tenants
In order to provide the users of office and other buildings with spaces that help maintain and improve their health and comfort, the Group as a whole adopts building specifications and performance standards that lead to improved well-being and works to implement programs for users. In addition, we have made it a rule to obtain CASBEE Wellness Office certification* for all income-generating properties (achieved 100%) and are strengthening it.
【Main Specifications and Performance Standards for Improving Well-being】
- Muffled indoor noise
- Natural light and appropriate illumination
- Designs giving special attention to the view from offices to promote a sense of connection with nature
- refreshment space secured
【Main Programs for Users】
- Promote physical activity
- Create opportunities to meet during daily activities
- Conduct periodic satisfaction surveys
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*Note: Certification organized by the Institute for Built Environment and Carbon Neutral for SDGs to evaluate building specifications, performance and initiatives that help maintain and improve the health and comfort of building users.