AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review

Japan’s 8.5 million vacant homes (Akiyas) represent a paradox of scarcity amid surplus: while rural depopulation leaves properties abandoned, housing shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder their reuse. This study proposes AKI2ALL, an AI-blockchain framework designed to automate the circula...

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Main Authors: Manuel Herrador, Romi Bramantyo Margono, Bart Dewancker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2629
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author Manuel Herrador
Romi Bramantyo Margono
Bart Dewancker
author_facet Manuel Herrador
Romi Bramantyo Margono
Bart Dewancker
author_sort Manuel Herrador
collection DOAJ
description Japan’s 8.5 million vacant homes (Akiyas) represent a paradox of scarcity amid surplus: while rural depopulation leaves properties abandoned, housing shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder their reuse. This study proposes AKI2ALL, an AI-blockchain framework designed to automate the circular repurposing of Akiyas into ten high-value community assets—guesthouses, co-working spaces, pop-up retail and logistics hubs, urban farming hubs, disaster relief housing, parking lots, elderly daycare centers, exhibition spaces, places for food and beverages, and company offices—through smart contracts and data-driven workflows. By integrating circular economy principles with decentralized technology, AKI2ALL streamlines property transitions, tax validation, and administrative processes, reducing operational costs while preserving embodied carbon in existing structures. Municipalities list properties, owners select uses, and AI optimizes assignments based on real-time demand. This work bridges gaps in digital construction governance, proving that automating trust and accountability can transform systemic inefficiencies into opportunities for community-led, low-carbon regeneration, highlighting its potential as a scalable model for global vacant property reuse.
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spelling doaj-art-eed081ae3be444fabab1b30a5ce043202025-08-20T04:00:53ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011515262910.3390/buildings15152629AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and ReviewManuel Herrador0Romi Bramantyo Margono1Bart Dewancker2Polytechnic School of Jaen, University of Jaen, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaen, SpainDepartment of Architecture, Kitakyushu University, Fukuoka, Kitakyushu City 808-0135, JapanDepartment of Architecture, Kitakyushu University, Fukuoka, Kitakyushu City 808-0135, JapanJapan’s 8.5 million vacant homes (Akiyas) represent a paradox of scarcity amid surplus: while rural depopulation leaves properties abandoned, housing shortages and bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder their reuse. This study proposes AKI2ALL, an AI-blockchain framework designed to automate the circular repurposing of Akiyas into ten high-value community assets—guesthouses, co-working spaces, pop-up retail and logistics hubs, urban farming hubs, disaster relief housing, parking lots, elderly daycare centers, exhibition spaces, places for food and beverages, and company offices—through smart contracts and data-driven workflows. By integrating circular economy principles with decentralized technology, AKI2ALL streamlines property transitions, tax validation, and administrative processes, reducing operational costs while preserving embodied carbon in existing structures. Municipalities list properties, owners select uses, and AI optimizes assignments based on real-time demand. This work bridges gaps in digital construction governance, proving that automating trust and accountability can transform systemic inefficiencies into opportunities for community-led, low-carbon regeneration, highlighting its potential as a scalable model for global vacant property reuse.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2629vacant property repurposingsmart contractsAI-driven urban planningdecentralized governancecircular constructionrural revitalization
spellingShingle Manuel Herrador
Romi Bramantyo Margono
Bart Dewancker
AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
Buildings
vacant property repurposing
smart contracts
AI-driven urban planning
decentralized governance
circular construction
rural revitalization
title AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
title_full AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
title_fullStr AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
title_full_unstemmed AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
title_short AKI2ALL: Integrating AI and Blockchain for Circular Repurposing of Japan’s Akiyas—A Framework and Review
title_sort aki2all integrating ai and blockchain for circular repurposing of japan s akiyas a framework and review
topic vacant property repurposing
smart contracts
AI-driven urban planning
decentralized governance
circular construction
rural revitalization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2629
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AT romibramantyomargono aki2allintegratingaiandblockchainforcircularrepurposingofjapansakiyasaframeworkandreview
AT bartdewancker aki2allintegratingaiandblockchainforcircularrepurposingofjapansakiyasaframeworkandreview