City Regeneration Through Design

Northglass Symposium In Tokyo

Date: 20 July 2023

Venue: International House of Japan

Title: City Regeneration Through Design

Since the implementation of the Urban Renaissance Special Measures Act of 2002, large-scale redevelopment has accelerated in the central areas of Tokyo, dramatically transforming the urban landscape. This change has significantly impacted not only our living environment but also the values we associate with the city. In this symposium, we aim to evaluate the significance of urban regeneration brought about by recent large-scale urban development and discuss its potential.

City needs to be sustainable for many generations as well. We all are responsible to keep this earth and urban environments sustainable and all designers are committed to this never-ending responsibility. Using Azabudai project and others, the lecture will explore architects responsibility as well as the importance of the collaborative works with designers and clients.

The lecture will also examine the specific process and contents of pre-design, using Azabudai Hills, as an example. The lecture address the dialogue between the developer and the architects as it relates to the pre-design process, using the podium of the buildings at Azabudai Hills, designed by the Heatherwick Studio, as a case study.

Lecture objectives

1. Identify design strategies to create sustainable and better urban environments.
2. Describe the importance of the creative collaborations to make the urban space more exciting.
3. Explain the outline and process of pre-design by the project proponent
4. Analyze the differences between the perspectives of the business (developer) side and the architect’s side in the ultimate design proposal.

HSW Justification

Specifically, by learning about the project planning and design strategies of large-scale urban redevelopment, we will deepen our understanding of the sustainability and mechanism of city regeneration through large-scale redevelopment that impacts the health, safety and welfare of the residents. Business strategy is an essential element for the success and regeneration of urban development, while the value of design enhances the sustainability and quality of the urban environment and urban life by improving health, safety and welfare of the citizens.