#01
ONOMICHI
"Tourists and residents
What is the shape of a city that can coexist?
#03
HARAJUKU
"Jomon and Instagrammable coexist
The Future of the "Consumption City"
What can we do now to create a city that creates new value?
At NTT Urban Development, we are sincerely addressing this question by anticipating social change and pioneering the future through design.
In 2017, we held the "Dialogue Series," a dialogue event featuring leading figures from various fields.
The next year, 2018, was "Field Research." By visiting each location and delving into the charm of the town from various angles, from the environment and culture of each place to the spirit of the people who live there, and even the attachment and identity of the community, we explored the future of urban development.
In 2019, as a continuation of our field research, we will visit three cities with different climates in Japan to explore the future of urban development.
This project explores the future of urban development through field research, visiting three cities with different climates. Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for its retro Showa-era streets, a mecca for films such as "Tokyo Story" and "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time," and even the cycling route along the Shimanami Kaido, which takes in breathtaking islands. This leading tourist town in the Setouchi region is now attracting a lot of attention with a series of locally-driven initiatives, such as the "Onomichi Denim Project" and the stylish complex "ONOMICHI U2." What exactly is happening in Onomichi? We will uncover hints for "unique urban development" in regional cities from notable examples and the words of key people.
This project visits three cities with different climates and explores the future of urban development through field research.
Onomichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for its streets overflowing with Showa-era retro atmosphere, its location as a holy site for films such as "Tokyo Story" and "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time," and even the cycling route along the "Shimanami Kaido" that takes you around islands with stunning views. This leading tourist town in the Setouchi region is now attracting a lot of attention with a series of locally-driven initiatives, such as the "Onomichi Denim Project" and the trendy complex "ONOMICHI U2."
So what exactly is happening in Onomichi? We will uncover hints for "unique urban development" in regional cities through notable cases and the words of key people.
Yamanashi Prefecture is an inland prefecture known for its tourism and natural bounty, including Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site, as well as grapes, peaches, and Koshu wine. Young people active in each region are connecting with each other and sparking a new movement. Fermentation designer Ogura Hiraku and Tsuchiya Makoto, editor-in-chief of local media outlet BEEK, are among the key figures connecting across regions. Along with the voices of winemakers, wine event organizers, and architects working to address the problem of vacant houses, the research team will consider the prospects for "creating unique towns" in depopulated areas from their own perspectives.
Yamanashi Prefecture is an inland prefecture known for tourism and the bounty of nature, including Mount Fuji, a World Heritage Site, as well as grapes, peaches, and Koshu wine. Young people active in each region are connecting with each other and creating a new movement.
Fermentation designer Hiraku Ogura, editor-in-chief of local media outlet BEEK, and other key figures who connect across regions, including Makoto Tsuchiya, will consider the prospects for "unique town development" in depopulated areas from the perspective of the research team, along with the voices of winemakers, wine event organizers, and architects working to address the problem of vacant houses.
Harajuku is known as the center of Japanese pop culture, lined with fashion and sweets shops aimed at young people. However, the rapid changes in trends in recent years have had a major impact on the city's appearance. It is a unique place where the "memory of the land" dating back to the Jomon period coexists with cutting-edge images such as "Harajuku KAWAii culture." What can we discover in this area? From the perspective of our research team, we will consider the prospects for "unique urban development" in Harajuku, a fully mature commercial area.
Harajuku is known as the center of Japanese pop culture, lined with fashion and sweets shops for young people. However, the rapid changes in trends in recent years have had a major impact on the appearance of the town.
It is a unique place where "memories of the land" dating back to the Jomon period coexist with cutting-edge images such as "Harajuku KAWAii culture." What can we discover in this place? From the perspective of our research team, we will consider the prospects for "unique urban development" in Harajuku, a fully mature commercial area.