Toyota’s Woven City: A Living Blueprint for the Future of Urban Design
Unveiled at CES 2025, Toyota’s Woven City represents a bold new vision for urban living, seamlessly blending sustainability, innovation, and human-centered design. Situated at the base of Mount Fuji in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, the city has completed Phase 1 of its construction, marking a pivotal moment in Toyota’s transformation from an automotive giant to a pioneer in urban mobility and design.
Covering 50,000 square meters of land once occupied by Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Plant, Woven City is more than a prototype for a smart city—it is a carefully curated experiment in redefining how people interact with technology, architecture, and their environment.
The Design Philosophy Behind Woven City
At the heart of Woven City lies its commitment to human-centric design. Toyota, in collaboration with a host of partners, has reimagined the very essence of urban planning. The city’s layout integrates three distinct types of roads, each meticulously designed for autonomous vehicles, pedestrians, and personal mobility devices. This layered approach creates a fluid and adaptable network that prioritizes safety and efficiency while fostering human connection.
Woven City’s architectural framework emphasizes harmony between innovation and sustainability. Inspired by traditional Japanese design principles, the structures use natural materials like wood combined with advanced robotics and renewable energy systems. The city’s LEED for Communities Platinum certification—the first of its kind in Japan—underscores its commitment to eco-conscious construction and sustainable urban living.
An Ecosystem of Innovation
Phase 1, set to launch in the fall of 2025, will house an initial population of around 100 residents, expanding to 360 by the end of this phase. These first inhabitants—primarily Toyota employees and their families—will live in smart homes equipped with AI-driven robotics designed to anticipate and respond to daily needs. The homes are powered by hydrogen fuel cells, creating an energy ecosystem that prioritizes efficiency and sustainability.
At the core of Woven City’s philosophy is its role as a living laboratory for urban innovation. Toyota envisions the city as a testing ground for cutting-edge technologies, inviting startups, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions to collaborate within its ecosystem. Beginning in the summer of 2025, an accelerator program will welcome external innovators to explore solutions for urban mobility, sustainable energy, and integrated AI systems.
Designing for Connection and Sustainability
Architecturally, Woven City blends tradition with modernity. The city's design draws heavily on Japanese aesthetics, with an emphasis on natural light, communal spaces, and functional beauty. The integration of green roofs, vertical gardens, and open courtyards enhances its environmental profile, promoting biodiversity while encouraging social interaction among residents.
The streets themselves are a design marvel, serving as both functional thoroughfares and aesthetic statements. Autonomous shuttles glide seamlessly through carefully planned routes, while pedestrian walkways encourage slow, mindful movement. The layering of transportation modes reflects a new urban ideal where coexistence replaces congestion.
A Vision for the Future
Woven City is more than an experiment in technology; it is a reimagination of urban life itself. It stands as a bold statement on what cities can become when design, technology, and sustainability are given equal importance. Toyota’s commitment to this vision signals a future where architecture and urban planning respond to human needs while respecting the planet’s resources.
With Phase 1 complete and its fall 2025 launch imminent, Woven City is set to redefine the possibilities of urban design, creating a living prototype that could shape cities for generations to come.
