Abstract
First, I investigate how assessments of sound material-cycle (SMC) blocks are treated in the “Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society” by national and municipal governments and in guidelines and handbooks published by the Ministry of the Environment. I also review studies in which methods for assessing SMC blocks were developed and described examples of assessments that used the balance of the input and output of materials, carbon reduction, project profitability, and ecosystem services. Moreover, I point out that studies examining the Eco-towns—a type of SMC block—adopted the effect on CO2 reduction, internal circulation rates of host municipalities, and distances the materials transports for procurement and supply as evaluation indicators. I further show that a necessary viewpoint came from mid/long-term assessments of the effects of individual projects involved in a SMC block by analyzing how indicators change over time. Some assessments focused on multiple benefits other than the environmental aspects, and I present examples that adopted indicators such as resident awareness of participation in waste separation, resident acceptance of waste treatment facilities, and the power of community welfare. Finally, I discuss the requirements and feasibilities of indicators and methods for assessing SMC blocks.
