Environmental survey of the Kyu-Shiba Rikyu Gardens

Applicable laws and regulations: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Completed: 2004

An investigation was carried out into the impact that the weather changes caused by the construction of the 115m-tall Tokyo Gas Head Office Building (Hamamatsucho) would have on the flora and fauna of the adjacent Kyu-Shiba Rikyu Gardens (a cultural property). This was under the guidance of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and as this was the first such attempt within the city, detailed discussions were held between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the business operator, the university, and the economy, among others. The investigation was large-scale and long-term, spanning more than 20 years from before construction until 20 years after the building's completion, and was completed in December 2004. Such a long-term investigation by a private company is groundbreaking as a form of ex-post assessment, and appears to be setting a precedent for similar developments in the future.