24 OCT 2006

Research Projecton the Urban Landscapein Shinjuku, Tokyo-Exchange Presentation with Chulalongkorn UniversityUrban Design Laboratory
Department of Urban Engineering,
Graduate School of Engineering,
The University of Tokyo

Background・The landscape law was enforced in December 2004.
It is …
>>the first basic law on landscape in Japan.
>>setting basis of landscape ordinances.
>>targeted for every areas, not only historical or downtowns but
also general urban areas.
>>giving several menus for ordinances which each municipality
can customize according to its situation.
SymbolicHistoricalGeneral1

Background・Preparation of future Landscape Plan of Shinjuku City
Shinjuku city, known as a progressive municipality,intend to make advanced landscape plan based onthe landscape law.

Urban Design Lab carry out basic researchon landscape for the plan.
“Research Project on the Urban Landscape”

Outline of Shinjuku City, Tokyo
・The subcenter of Tokyo Metropolis( The seat of the Tokyo metropolitan government )23 Cites ofTokyo Metropolis

Shinjuku City・Area : 18.23 km2
・Population : about 300,000

・One of the most busy downtowns of Tokyo（Around Shinjuku station; the largest terminal inJapan）
・Including suburban residential area
・Locating in fringe area of Edo(old Tokyo)
・History of lodging town along
Kosyu-kaido (old main road)2

Viewpoint of the research
Read the Context of the urban space…From the standpoint of modern rationalism, with
its reverence for clarity, it is truly difficult to form an
overall picture of Tokyo’s urban space. (ab.)…And yet, walking the streets of the city, one istreated to repeated changes in the cityscape.
There is unexpected variety in the topography,
with the high city’s hills and cliffs, winding roads,shrine groves, and large, verdant estates; and thelow city’s canals and bridges, alleyways andstorefront planter pots, and crowded entertainment
centers. For the walker in Tokyo, the unexpected
is always waiting. Tokyo may not have the oldbuildings of New York, but each place evokes a
distinctive atmosphere nurtured over a history: thismakes Tokyo what it is.
Hidenobu JINNAI (1985)“Tokyo -A spatial Anthropology-”

Transition of Tokyo urban area after Edo period
Land use in Edo(old Tokyo)・site for the samurai= 60%・site for merchants andcraftsmen= 20%・site for temples andshrines= 20%

Map of Edo (old Tokyo)- Kobun period (1844-1848)3

Transition of Tokyo urban area after Edo period>>Most of frames of the present streets were formed in Edo period.
Hongo 1856 (The end of Edo period)

Hongo 2005

Transition of Tokyo urban area after Edo period
Expansion of Tokyo
Edo〜Meiji period(〜1912)After High Economic Growth：commuting area(1970〜)

After Kanto
Earthquake (1923〜)

4Process of the research
1. Research of old maps and literatures on local history(revealing old land use, formation process of streets,
important facilities, old scenery etc.)
2. Research of the situation on urban planning
3. Field survey
4. Collection of “Landscape Resources”
5. Revealing the Landscape Structure
6. Making visions and policies for future landscapeComparison of maps of different period

Ochiai 1910

Ochiai 1923

Ochiai 1940

5

Process of formation of streets

Zoning6

Transition of landscapeKagurazaka-shita

1978
1954
1995

Field survey>>experience scenes>>understand identity of thelandscape>>pick up “landscape resources”7

Landscape resources
Map of “Landscape Resouces” in Kagurazaka

Landscape resources
Map of “Landscape Resouces” in Shimo-Ochiai

8Landscape resources●Green/Open Space

Tree

Hedge/Garden Tree

ParkTemple

ShrineLandscape resources●StreetCross point
Slope/Stairs

alleyway●Others

architecture

Important view9Landscape structure : Ushigome-dai

Landscape structure : Araki-cho

10Landscape structure : Shimo-OchiaiLandscape structure : Nishi-Ochiai

11Visions and Policies for future landscapeShimo-Ochiai

Visions and Policies for future landscapeUshigome-dai

12Conclusion
1. Every place in a city has its own history and spatial identity,
regardless of its age. And it is possible to “read” context of theplace in terms of landscape.
2. As well as preserving historical landscape, reinforcing
characteristics of the landscape is important.
3. It is not easy to set some spheres which is considered to havethe same identity of landscape.
4. It is disputable what should be the identity of the landscape.

Thank you !!

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