About MMF

The Mori Memorial Foundation is committed to engaging in comprehensive research and publication activities in the urban renewal and development fields in order to create ideal urban environments that lead to sustainable life for all.

MISSION

Japanese cities are entering a new phase in their evolution. They are gradually “maturing,” after a long period of growth and expansion.

Cities in different developmental phases require different approaches in city creation: specifically cities in a “growth” phase must focus on the physical development of urban space, but those in a “maturing” phase need to pay attention to the practice of urban management.

Cities in maturing phase face a plethora of emergent urban issues. Many Japanese cities are tackling the issue of a decreasing and aging population, seeking to respond to the growing demands to shrink existing urban areas and renovate older infrastructure. In order to address these fundamental changes and enhance the cities’ global competitiveness, public-private partnership has become a key approach in city creation.

Cities in a maturing phase may enjoy rich cultural diversity. Diverse actors and cultural resources provide them with immeasurable possibilities for evolution.

In view of such changes, Japanese cities may play a unique role in urban growth in Asia. They should define their own mission in Asia and seek to contribute to the enhancement of energy and environment in the region.

Since its inception, the Mori Memorial Foundation has engaged in the study of city creation and disseminated its knowledge to the public. As we continue to expand our research scope, it is our wish to explore various visions and strategies for constructing highly sustainable and attractive cities in Japan.

OVERVIEW

Date of Establishment
July 1981
Change to New Institutional System
October 2012
Objectives
This foundation was established to contribute to the steady and sustainable enhancement of the lives of the citizens of Japan by promoting the formation of an attractive and nurturing urban environment through a variety of activities including undertaking comprehensive research in urban redevelopment and the improvement of the city environment, fostering human resources, and providing information.
Activities and Projects
  1. Independent research related to the development of concepts and planning for urban redevelopment and urban environment improvement.
  2. Publication/distribution of books and other printed materials, and the organization and holding of lectures, seminars, etc.
  3. Other activities include any work or operations necessary to accomplish the objectives of the abovementioned.
President
Shigenori Kobayashi

LIST OF DIRECTORS AND COUNCILORS

COUNCILORS

Yasushi Aoyama
Professor, Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University

Yuichiro Anzai
CEO, the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research
Senior Advisor, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Toshio Ojima
Professor Emeritus, Waseda University

Haruhiko Goto
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University

Norihiro Nakai
Professor, Department of Architecture and Building Engineering School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Hiroo Mori
Executive Vice President, Mori Building Co., Ltd.

DIRECTORS

President
Shigenori Kobayashi
Emeritus Professor of Yokohama National University

Senior Executive Managing Director
Susumu Satomi

Executive Director
Hiroo Ichikawa
Professor Emeritus, Meiji University
Professor, Teikyo University

Director
Takayuki Kishii
President, the Institute of Behavioral Sciences (IBS)

Director
Isoya Shinji
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Former president
Professor Emeritus, Fukui Prefectural University, Former president

Director
Heizo Takenaka
Professor Emeritus, Keio University

Director
Shingo Tsuji
President and CEO, Mori Building Co., Ltd.

Director
Miki Muraki
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Urban Environment Systems,
Chiba University

Auditor
Naofumi Takeuchi
Chair of the board, Urban Regeneration and Land Readjustment Association

Auditor
Michio Matsukawa
Advisor, Mori Building Co., Ltd.

About Institute for Urban Development

Since its inception, the Institute for Urban Development has coordinated numerous research projects on the world’s cities. Research ranges from basic analyses of selected urban areas, to studies on possible institutional approaches to maintain the wellness of the areas, and even the construction of strategies for enhanced urban development. Published research reports from the various projects undertaken are available.

As large cities in Japan have evolved from the development-oriented “growth phase” to the management-focused “maturity phase,” the conventional research and planning approaches have become insufficient. Cities in the maturity phase will face social, economic, and infrastructural needs different from those in the previous phase.

It is one of the missions of the Institute for Urban Development to work to develop an extensive research network to address these fundamental changes.

>Visit Our Website

Researchers

About Institute for Urban Strategies

The Institute for Urban Strategies (IUS) at the Mori Memorial Foundation undertakes “research of urban strategies” at a wide range of fields, including society and the economy, etc, which goes beyond the framework of urban engineering from not just a domestic perspective but a global perspective as well.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Global Power City Index (GPCI) has been the basis of our research activities and from that we identify urban policy issues. In addition to the analysis of GPCI, our research has expanded to include analysis at both the inner-city level and the metropolitan area level.

We also conduct research on urban strategy and policy as well as the future vision for global cities starting from Tokyo. Recently, we have expanded our activities to commissioned research from public and private sectors as a policy think tank for overall urban strategy issues.

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Cities are experiencing a revolutionary era with the rapid globalization in the world.

Amidst severe inter-city competition around the globe, the Institute for Urban Strategies aims to create and promote urban strategies that allow cities to grow sustainably by analyzing the environmental, social, political, financial, and international aspects of world class cities.

Focusing especially on Tokyo from a global point of view, we are accumulating strategic schemes for making Tokyo one of the world’s foremost cities, not only as a financial center but as an ecological and livable city, which is always friendly to both inhabitants and visitors alike.

Researchers

  • Norio Yamato
  • Yuko Hamada
  • Peter Dustan
  • Hiromi Jimbo
  • Haruko Isogaya

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