Between the city and architecture
- Considering the effect of through passages -

Although I have not been involved in many projects, I have been fortunate to have been in charge of large-scale complexes almost exclusively for a long period of time. This experience got me thinking a little about passageways and public spaces.

For Yokohama Minato Mirai 21, urban development guidelines were established based on the Yokohama City Master Plan, and the district plan positioned the "Queen Axis," a pedestrian axis that would serve as the city's framework. The Landmark Plaza in the lower part of the Yokohama Landmark Tower was realized as a five-story atrium shopping mall that runs through a privately owned building on this pedestrian axis, and is guaranteed as an effective open space in the city plan for the specific block. In order to realize such an open atrium space, there were barriers to the Building Standards Act, and ensuring safety in the event of a fire was an issue. This issue was resolved through a disaster prevention plan that included a highly visible spatial configuration, securing evacuation routes to the rear of the stores, and simulations of smoke behavior, and was certified by the Minister. The Queen Axis was then connected to the sea through the Queens Square Plan (also a specific block system), completing the city's framework.

Meanwhile, at the north exit of Tokyo Station's Marunouchi district, there is Marunouchi Oazo, a block development centered on the former site of the JNR headquarters. Despite the block's size, the only public space before development was the narrow sidewalks around it. With the cooperation of the landowners, a total of three underground passageways were built, and a multi-level above-ground and underground passageway was established that runs through the center of the block. On the ground level, the space that would have otherwise turned into a back alleyway between the buildings was transformed into a public space with a central axis of an atrium and a street-type atrium mall. After coordination of the project based on the block master plan and administrative discussions, the comprehensive design system was applied to treat the four buildings as one site with a joint design, and the public open space was arranged in a balanced manner. The plaza and passageway, which created an integrated environment, are positioned in the district plan. After that, this underground passageway has been expanded and improved in front of Tokyo Station, and the underground passageway of the Tokyo Building was connected to JP Tower, and now it forms an underground passageway that connects Otemachi Eitai-dori to Yurakucho via Kajibashi-dori.

In large-scale urban development, various contributing elements are required, such as landscape evaluation, formation of streetscapes and lively atmosphere, public spaces, and improved convenience for pedestrians, while securing volume and necessary functions based on business requirements. This requires the formulation of urban plans and master plans with long-term and wide-area perspectives. In particular, the formation of through passages within blocks and the provision of public spaces, as introduced here, are not only a burden for business operators, but are also expected to improve convenience and lively atmosphere, and increase the number of visitors. Furthermore, if linkages with neighboring blocks are also sought, there will be ample benefits, and I believe this will continue to be a solution that business operators and planners will look to in the future.

JR Hakata City I was involved in while working in Fukuoka, has opened, and two through passages have been constructed, connecting the Hakata Exit Station Plaza and the Chikushi Exit. On the Hakata Exit side, plans are currently underway to extend the deck level and underground through passages from the adjacent post office block to the next block in a chain, and I look forward to seeing this come to fruition soon.