Japan's first phase-free certified facility as a multifunctional facility attached to the town hall |

　The Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Center Complex "Watashi-no" will open in Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido on May 28, 2023. The building is a community regeneration and disaster prevention center undertaken as a public-private partnership, with the aim of "creating a place to stay during everyday life and in times of disaster, to revitalize the town and create a sustainable community."
　NOMURA Co., Ltd. participated as a partner company and was in charge of planning the lively area, space/visual concept design, and opening PR. The following seven companies are participating as partner organizations and companies.

NPO Groundwork Koshimizu
Renaissance Co., Ltd.
OKULAB Co., Ltd.
Atelier Bunku Co., Ltd.
NOMURA Co., Ltd.
Calorie Inc.
Ebase Solutions Co., Ltd.

　On May 28, 2023, Koshimizu Town, Hokkaido will open the Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Complex Government Building "Watashino," which integrates a government building with an exchange and health center where townspeople can spend their daily lives comfortably. This is Japan's first multifunctional facility attached to a government office, and it also functions as a disaster prevention base in the event of a disaster by introducing the concept of phase-free *1. The usual bustling place of relaxation transforms into a place where the townspeople can feel safe and secure in the event of a disaster.

Koshimizu Town, which faces the challenges of depopulation and an aging population, believed that by building relationships among its residents on a daily basis, they would be able to support each other in times of disaster. For this reason, the new town hall will have a "lively area" (community space, cafe, laundry, fitness gym & studio, bouldering wall) across the aisle from the town hall, which can be used by townspeople at their leisure. This will enable multi-generational interaction between townspeople and face-to-face interaction with town hall staff. In addition, to create opportunities for interaction, vitalization business such as events and disseminating information to outside Hokkaido will be developed, and connections will be expanded with people both within and outside the town as related population*2.

The town's NPO Groundwork Koshimizu will be in charge of managing the lively area. In addition, Renaissance, OKULAB, NOMURA and other cooperating companies and organizations that support the new town hall policy will provide know-how, ideas and human resources for sustainable town development. Through public-private partnerships, construction and operation will be carried out while incorporating private sector power and the voices of townspeople, with the aim of "regenerating and revitalizing the local community and bonds" in a way that is unique to Koshimizu Town.

▶Click here for articles and videos where the project leader talks about the consideration process

*1 Phase-free: Two phases, normal and emergency, are free. The idea that the goods and services around us can be used not only in everyday life but also in emergencies (Source: Phase Free Association)

*2 Relevant population: People related to the region and diversity who are not the “resident population” who have emigrated or the “exchange population” who have come for sightseeing (Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Related Population Portal Site, Hokkaido version)

Facility concept and overview
 

Watashino's place where everyone gathers
Café, fitness, laundry, and bustling open space.
Crowded with visitors, interacting with people of all generations.
Whether it's a normal day or a disaster day, this is my usual place.

A phase-free facility that connects the present and the future of the town, the first in Japan as a multifunctional facility attached to the town hall

Phase-free is a way of thinking in which the goods and services around us can be used not only in everyday life but also in emergencies. In the new government building, each facility will be opened free of charge in an emergency. The showers and exercise spaces of the fitness gym and studio are used as temporary evacuation sites, the community spaces and cafes are used for stockpiling and cooking, and the laundry is used to secure emergency water and maintain hygiene. The floor heating uses hot spring heat to keep you warm even in the event of a power outage. The usual place to stay protects your safety and security.
 

Collaborating companies and roles, contact list

Collaborating companies and roles

Inquiries regarding this matter

An opening event (for related parties, the media, and the general public) is scheduled for May 28.
For inquiries regarding the coverage of this event, please contact the secretariat below.

Koshimizu Town Disaster Prevention Base Complex Government Building Opening Public Relations Office