NEWS

NEWS RELEASE

2024.10.31

"Social experiment on active use of road space using bollards"
Conduct

Using Marunouchi Nakadori Street as a stage, we will examine how to utilize road space to realize a walkable city.

Download the release here.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Junichi Tanisawa; hereinafter referred to as Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Jisho Design), Sunpole Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; President and CEO: Rei Yamane; hereinafter referred to as Sunpole), and Marunouchi Nakadori Street University (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masao Ueno) are pleased to announce that they will be conducting a social experiment on active utilization of road space using bollards at Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Winter, which will be held from Thursday, November 14th to Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 on Marunouchi Nakadori (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo).

Installing a counter table on the bollard creates new uses and space for staying in. Photo provided by Sanpole

丸の内仲通りでは、自動車の時間帯通行規制で道路を歩行者に開放してオープンカフェとする「丸の内仲通りアーバンテラス」や、終日の交通規制のもと道路空間を広場・公園のように転換する「Marunouchi Street Park」などを通じ、街路の活用方法についての検証が継続的に行われてきました。
これまでの検証では、道路空間が都市の魅力度向上において重要な役割を果たすことが確認できた一方で、車両通行止めが実施されていても歩行者は歩道を通行する傾向が強いなど、歩車道の一体化や、そのさらなる有効活用が求められていることが明らかになっています。
こうしたニーズに際し、３者は、一般的に車道と歩道の境界を区分するために路上に設置される「ボラード」に新たな機能を加えることで、人びとに車道と歩道の境を感じさせない、より一体的な道路空間を生み出すツールとすることを構想しています。道路空間の利活用ニーズが大きく変化している社会情勢の中、本社会実験を通して、多様なニーズに応える高度な道路空間の実現や、良好な道路景観の形成による都市生活の価値・魅力の向上とウォーカブルなまちづくりの推進に取り組んでまいります。

  1. Marunouchi Nakadori Street Urban Terrace Organized by: NPO Otemachi-Yu Area Management Association
  2. Marunouchi Street Park Sponsored by: Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Executive Committee
Image of how to use the counter table installed on the bollard. Photo provided by Sanpole.

Consider the direction of the social experiment based on the resources of each of the three parties, industry and academia

This social experiment is Marunouchi Nakadori Street-academia collaboration between Mitsubishi Jisho Design Sekkei, which was involved in the planning and design of Marunouchi Nakadori, Meiji University School of Science and Technology Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory (Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki), which practices urban design and planning through participation in projects in collaboration with local residents and local governments, and Sunpole, which manufactures and sells bollards and flagpoles. Mitsubishi Jisho Design acted as the coordinator for the implementation of the social experiment, utilizing the knowledge gained from Meiji University's activities and Sunpole's technology, and held multiple workshops on the field Marunouchi Nakadori Street Nakadori to consider the direction.

From bollards that "separate" sidewalks and roadways to bollards that "connect" sidewalks and roadways

In this social experiment, by adding counter table functionality to bollards, which have primarily been used to separate sidewalks from roadways, a new space where people can stay and be active will be created at the boundary between the sidewalk and roadway, and the bollards will serve as a starting point for investigating changes in people's activities and the landscape. The results of the experiment will be jointly verified from multiple angles by the three parties, and more advanced consideration will be given to ways to utilize road space that will improve the attractiveness of urban life and contribute to walkable urban development, with a view to collaboration with Marunouchi Street Park and the permanent establishment of a road-side space connected via bollards.

Demonstration experiment implementation structure
Kick-off meeting to consider demonstration experiment
1. Holding a workshop 2. Considering the direction of demonstration experiments using samples in Nakadori 3. Presentations by Meiji University students
4. Technical considerations for table counters (created by Sanpole)
Photos and perspective drawings provided Mitsubishi Jisho Design

Overview of the "Social Experiment on Proactive Use of Road Space Using Bollards"

ImplementerMitsubishi Jisho Design, Sanpole, Meiji University Faculty of Science and Technology, Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory
placeMarunouchi Nakadori Street (Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
PeriodThursday, November 14, 2024 - Wednesday, December 25, 2024 During Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Winter event
Details of the projectTable counters will be installed at 14 existing bollards. We will investigate how the street space is being used by the general public, allowing them to use as they wish.

Profiles of each participant

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design, which architectural design and construction supervision Marunouchi Nakadori Street was partially renovated in 2002, and has been continuously involved in the implementation of Marunouchi Street Park and Urban Terrace, has adopted "+EMOTION" as its brand slogan and continues to work on adding more value to the city by thinking about people and the city. In 2024, the company established the "Social Design Office" to gather know-how and information and expand its future solution business, aiming to solve social issues in urban development. In order to address the changing values and lifestyles of the post-COVID era, the diversification of needs for outdoor spaces, and the further effective use of public spaces, the company will use various methods, including social experiments, to promote multifaceted efforts through industry-academia and public-private collaboration.

Sanpole Co., Ltd.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020, Sanpole has continued to contribute to urban development as a "director of enriching outdoor spaces." The bollards manufactured and delivered by Sanpole for Marunouchi Nakadori Street are one of the important elements that make up the current landscape of Nakadori. Due to their purpose, bollards have been emphasized for their strength and ease of maintenance as safe and secure facilities, but with the growing momentum for the use of walkable road spaces such as parklets and pedestrian-friendly roads (hokomichi), more diverse functions and flexible use are required. In a changing society, we will verify the new functions of bollards through this demonstration experiment.

Meiji University, School of Science and Technology, Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory (Professor Hiroyuki Sasaki)

The Meiji University School of Science and Technology Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory is researching how cities should be and how to create them, and is also working on urban design and planning through participating in projects in collaboration with local residents and local governments. By working with local businesses and residents to address unique issues in various cities and regions, we aim to contribute to the creation of a better society by utilizing previously overlooked spatial and physical resources through a multifaceted approach that includes events, workshops, product design, and more, and disseminating this information. We will use the results of these efforts in this demonstration experiment to create new value for the city.

Initiatives to utilize road space on Marunouchi Nakadori Street

Marunouchi Street Park 2024
(Organizer: Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Executive Committee)

2024 Winter Implementation PeriodThursday, November 14th to Wednesday, December 25th
2024 Winter Press Releasehttps://www.mec.co.jp/news/detail/2024/10/30_mec241030_msp
Official Websitehttps://marunouchi-streetpark.com

Marunouchi Nakadori Street Urban Terrace
(Organizer: NPO OMY Area Management Association)

Implementation periodWeekdays 11:00-15:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:00-17:00
Overview(Official website of the Otemachi-Yu Area Management Association, a non-profit organization)
https://ligare.jp/project/urbanterrace/

that's all

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact:

株式会社三菱地所設計　経営企画部 広報室
corporate.communications.office@mj-sekkei.com

株式会社サンポール　営業企画部 アドバンスグループ
tokyo-ag@sunpole.co.jp

学校法人明治大学　経営企画部 広報課
koho@mics.meiji.ac.jp

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