#Japan #Edge AI #Will Group #Asahikawa

Visualizing Urban Life with AI at Asahikawa's Shopping Park

Asahikawa City in Hokkaido is embarking on an exciting initiative as part of its "Machi ni Chi Project," which aims to revitalize the Heiwa-Dori Shopping Park, established in 1972 as Japan's first permanent pedestrian zone. The Will Group, headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo, is joining forces with the city to implement a proof-of-concept using edge AI cameras for analyzing pedestrian traffic in four key areas of the shopping park: 1-chōme, 3-chōme, 5-chōme, and 7-chōme. This innovative project, set to commence in 2024, seeks to collect and analyze valuable data regarding pedestrian flow, dwell times, and demographic estimates like age and gender.

The Need for Transformation

With lifestyle changes, the expansion of suburban commercial facilities, and shifts in pedestrian traffic in urban areas, the city recognizes the need to enhance the livability and utilization of the central shopping district. The collaboration with the "Shopping Park Area Platform" aims to transition this area from merely a space for transit to one that fosters relaxation, community interaction, and activities. This will involve creating busking zones and installing street furniture, enabling citizens and businesses to engage actively with the space.

During the experimental period, which spans a little over a month, the city anticipates significant foot traffic. Events like the popular "Asahikawa Food Marche," which attracted approximately 930,000 visitors in fiscal 2025, will be an integral part of this endeavor. With the upcoming five-day Silver Week holiday, unprecedented pedestrian movement is expected.

Emphasizing Privacy and Data Integrity

A standout feature of this project is the edge AI camera technology allowing real-time analysis without sending data to the cloud. This ensures that no personal information is recorded, aligning with privacy preservation standards. The cameras will convert visual data into numerical formats instantly, thus adhering to best practices regarding individual confidentiality.

The Will Group aims not merely to gather transient foot traffic data but to create a sustainable ecosystem of data utilization fostering long-term growth for the community and local businesses.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

1. Evidence-Based Decision Making: By departing from reliance on intuition alone, this initiative encourages decision-making based on objective data, enabling effective urban management and policy validation.
2. Enhanced ROI Visualization: Utilizing the collected data to quantify the impacts of various spatial usage initiatives and events, this approach allows for improved future strategy optimization and resource allocation.
3. Supporting Urban Development: The project aims to complement on-ground analysis with actionable insights, consequently providing comprehensive reports to stakeholders while enabling reproducibility in other regions.

Voices from the Community

Project representatives express hope that the data extracted through this AI camera analysis will illuminate how changes in the shopping park affect actual pedestrian movement and activity. This information is anticipated to encourage innovative spatial arrangements and community engagement initiatives in future urban planning.

Daisuke Wakaizumi, the head of Will Group's DX Team and CEO of CEspace, also emphasized the importance of leveraging local partnerships to drive urban revitalization. His commitment extends to contributing significantly to the park's transformation into a hub of leisure and activity.

Looking Forward

Post-experiment, the adaptation and insights gained from this pedestrian analysis will be refined further, enabling broader applications across municipalities, commercial facilities, and retail stores. The Will Group continues to strengthen its role in promoting data-driven solutions for sustainable urban development and addressing community issues effectively.

Contact: Will Group's Business Design Department (DX Assistance Team) at [email protected].

For more information, visit Will Group Official Site.