More than 20 managers and directors from the Machinami Foundation (The Street Scene Foundation) were accompanied on a tour of Chapelton, which is located five miles south of Aberdeen, by The Duke of Fife who is leading the development of the project.

Findings from the visit will help the Foundation to encourage a shift from the focus being placed on the quantity of housing to quality instead. The intention is that this will bring about a positive change for local Japanese residents and their lifestyle.

Speaking of the visit, The Duke of Fife, director of Elsick Development Company, said: “It was a great pleasure to host the Machinami Foundation on site in Chapelton. The group was particularly interested in learning more about our commitment to providing a sustainable community in the North East of Scotland which boasts a range of housetype designs and facilities, which allow our residents to live, work and enjoy their leisure time right here at Chapelton

“Since work started on site a few years ago, Chapelton has attracted much attention from developers, local businesses and academics. As we now see the community mature, it’s great to see interest from associations further afield.”

Established in 1979, the Machinami Foundation aims to improve the quality of housing in Japan by studying both residential lifestyles and environments.

Yuichi Matsushima, executive director of the Foundation, added: “We have all found it extremely beneficial to visit Chapelton. Elsick Development Company’s focus on new urbanism and offering local residents a positive lifestyle can be easily seen in the already well-established community.

“In addition to the wide variety of property types, Chapelton residents are enjoying the local facilities, infrastructure, green space and commercial outlets. The study of each of these aspects will very much help us in driving change in Japan in order to bring about a new way of thinking when planning and developing towns.”