[Obayashi Corporation] “Namba Parks” contributes to biodiversity conservation as an “inner city forest”
*Obayashi Corporation*
Press release: August 21, 2024
**
“Namba Parks” contributes to biodiversity conservation as an “inner city forest” *~Quantitative survey confirms the inhabitation and reproduction of living things in vast artificial green spaces~*
Obayashi Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Kenji Hasuwa) and Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Naniwa-ku, Osaka, President: Nobuyuki Okajima) have been working together for 20 years to design and construct with consideration for biodiversity. We conducted a biological survey at Parks Garden, a rooftop park at Namba Parks (Osaka City), which is operated and managed with a focus on living organisms. As a result of the survey, we confirmed that a variety of living creatures are living and breeding, including the breeding of sparrows, whose population is feared to be declining nationwide.
Panoramic view of Namba Parks, 20 years after its completion as a forest in the city center
*1. Background*
Decline in biodiversity is said to be a serious risk on a global scale, and society and businesses need to cooperate and proactively respond. In recent years, the Task Force on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (Taskforce
on Nature-related Financial
In line with the framework of Disclosures: TNFD (*1), evaluate the risks and opportunities that corporate economic activities pose to the natural environment and biodiversity, and promote initiatives aimed at realizing nature positivity (*2). That is what is required.
At Parks Garden, the two companies have taken steps to protect biodiversity, including creating a diverse environment such as wetlands and grasslands from the design stage, and planting a wide variety of fruit-bearing tree species to encourage birds to visit. Ta. In addition, for over 20 years, we have been conducting management that focuses on living things and plants, such as managing without using pesticides and leaving some insects that are food for birds even if they are originally targeted for extermination.
From FY2009 to FY2011, we conducted a survey on the living
environment, thermal environment, and amount of CO2 fixed (*3), and the facility’s concept of “creating a forest in Namba to bring people, the city, and nature closer together” was investigated. We confirmed that the area is growing into a rich greenery that is friendly to people and the environment.
We recently conducted a bird and insect survey for two years from 2022 to 2023 to monitor the conservation status of Parks Garden’s biodiversity.
*2. Survey summary*
* (1) Implementation of quantitative survey*
Bird surveys are carried out during the migratory seasons (spring and autumn) by setting up multiple survey points on street trees within Parks Garden and Namba Parks grounds, and recording the types and numbers observed within 5 minutes (spot census method). ), 12 times a year during the breeding and wintering seasons.
The insect survey consisted of a 5-minute visual survey and a 5-minute survey using insect nets at multiple locations within Parks Garden. In addition to conducting surveys once a month from May to August and October, we also conducted a survey in September to listen to the sounds of insects after sunset.
* (2) Bird survey results*
In a quantitative survey, 11 bird species were commonly observed in Parks Gardens, but only 5 species were observed on street trees, indicating that the existence of Parks Gardens has contributed to an increase in bird diversity. I can confirm that it is contributing. Sparrows, whose numbers are on the decline nationwide, were seen feeding on insects, confirming that Parks Garden is a breeding ground for them. We also saw bulbuls foraging for fruit in Parks Garden.
Including species confirmed through non-quantitative surveys, 25 species of birds in 5 orders and 16 families were confirmed, including migratory birds such as the Ficedula flycatcher and the northern warbler, making Parks Garden a stopover site for migratory birds. It was shown that In areas within the Parks Garden where green space management is not intentionally carried out, warblers and blue-bellied bushes that prefer bushes have been observed, indicating that management that focuses on living things is having a positive impact on bird diversity. is possible.
At Parks Tower, which is adjacent to Parks Garden, we were also able to see a peregrine falcon, which is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List.
Birds found on street trees in Parks Garden and Namba Parks grounds A young sparrow spotted in early summer
Bulbul foraging for fruit in Parks Garden
* (3) Insect survey results*
We confirmed 171 species of insects in 9 orders and 64 families. These include the scarlet dragonfly, which is thought to have only recently emerged, and the mykoakane, which is listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the Osaka Prefecture Red List 2014. We also observed species such as the Japanese leafcutter bee, the Japanese leafcutter bee, and the blue-bellied leafcutter bee, which are only seen locally in the city. These species do not sting humans themselves and play an important role in supporting local ecosystems through pollination.
Additionally, a subspecies of the Japanese mainland proboscis butterfly, which is often seen in wooded areas, was confirmed. On autumn nights, we confirmed that the chirps of the yellow-bellied cricket, the red-eared flycatcher, and the white-spotted bass create a quaint atmosphere.
A leafcutter bee collects nectar from flowers blooming in Parks Garden. A dragonfly resting its wings on the plants around the pond.
It is estimated that the diverse environment such as bushes and water holes, the abundance of 100,000 plants of approximately 500 types, and the long history of operation and management with consideration for living things have greatly contributed to Parks Garden’s biodiversity.
*3. Future outlook*
Obayashi Corporation and Nankai Electric Railway will continue to manage the green space of Parks Garden and regularly monitor it, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity by maintaining Osaka Namba’s “inner city forest”. .
*1 TNFD: Officially launched in June 2021, it aims to develop and provide a framework for disclosing nature-related financial
information.
International organization
*2 Nature positive: Stopping the loss of biodiversity and putting it on a recovery track
*3 Confirmed the growth of artificial greenery into rich greenery accompanying the redevelopment project (as of October 11, 2012)
*Reference information*
(1) Basic information
-About Namba Parks-
◆Facility overview: The facility opened in April 2007, and is a large commercial complex with Parks Tower attached.
◆Location: 2-10-70 Namba Naka, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City
◆Total floor area: 243,800 square meters
◆Store area: Approximately 51,800 square meters
◆Number of stores: Approximately 240 stores
◆Homepage: https://nambaparks.com/
-About Parks Garden-
◆Facility Overview: Parks Garden is a terraced structure that extends from the ground level of Namba Parks to the 9th floor above ground. A rooftop park in the city where 100,000 plants of approximately 500 types grow. Various species in the garden The diverse plants are carefully managed by a full-time resident gardener.
From 2023 to 2024, based on the concept of “touching nature,”
We have renovated the space to create a space that brings people closer to nature and allows you to feel nature with all five senses.
Ta.
◆Opening date: October 2003 (1st period open), April 2007 (2nd period, grand opening of entire facility)
◆Site area: Approximately 11,500 square meters (green space: approximately 5,300 square meters / passage/plaza: approximately 6,200 square meters)
◆Number of plants: Approximately 500 types and 100,000 plants (1) Tall trees (trees over H2.5m) 70 species, approximately 550 trees [Evergreen trees] Striped ash, Shirodamo, Bayberry, Japanese ash, Banksia, Potash
Stemon olive etc.
[Deciduous trees] Magnolia, maple, crape myrtle, dogwood, American deigo, ego
Noki etc.
(2) Approximately 430 species of medium-sized shrubs and flowers Land cover, gardenia, rhododendrons, hydrangea, yamabuki, coral moth, fu
Ossagira, Strelitzia, Agapanthus, Ghetto, Lomandra, Dianella, etc.
◆Soil: Average soil depth 55cm (shallow part 20cm, deep part 80cm (tall tree part)
Soil type: Artificial lightweight soil (specific gravity approximately 0.8)
◆Business hours: 10:00-24:00 [Free admission]
◆Exclusive gardeners: 7 people in total [as of July 2024]
◆Homepage: https://nambaparks.com/garden
(2) Sustainability of Namba Parks
– Mitigating the heat island effect through rooftop greening at Namba Parks – Rooftop environments are said to be difficult to grow large trees due to strong winds, sunlight, and load restrictions. Under such circumstances, Parks Garden has planted a large number of medium and tall trees through design innovations and the use of lightweight soil. A survey conducted during the day in summer revealed that the surface temperature was approximately 15 to 20 degrees Celsius lower than the surrounding asphalt roads. The amount of heat transferred to the atmosphere is reduced, and it functions as a cool spot in the city. In addition, the green belt creates insulation and cooling effects for the building, reducing the load on air conditioning, which also helps reduce CO2 emissions.
Uchimizu Pave
The observation plaza on the 7th floor of Parks Garden is paved with “Uchimizu Pave,” which sucks up water supplied underground through capillary action, moistens the pavement surface, and cools it using the heat of vaporization. Without creating water splashes or puddles, the traditional “uchimizu” effect can be maintained at all times, contributing to the reduction of the heat island effect.
water management
Namba Parks has an underground gray water treatment facility that uses microorganisms and activated carbon to purify clear, colorless water that is used for flushing toilets and watering plants. As water risks are increasing due to water shortages due to climate change and other factors, we are working to improve our water management system, reduce water intake and usage as much as possible, and prevent the discharge of pollutants.
The green area is equipped with an automatic irrigation system that automatically waters the area, and rainwater sensors prevent unnecessary watering.
-Obtaining environmental certification-
In May 2023, we received the “CASBEE Real Estate S Rank” based on the CASBEE Evaluation and Certification Business Regulations of the Better Living General Foundation, which comprehensively evaluated the environmental performance of buildings, blocks, cities, etc. from various perspectives.
-Participating in the 30by30 Alliance for Biodiversity-
Both companies are participating in the 30 by 30 Alliance for Biodiversity, which aims to conserve at least 30% of the country as natural environmental areas by 2030, as promised by the Japanese government at the 2021 G7 Summit.