Hiroshima Gate Park
(Former Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium Event Plaza)
Winner of the 2024 Good Design Award

【overview】

This project utilized Park-PFI (publicly-bid construction and management system) to develop an event plaza, commercial stores, and other facilities on the site of the former Hiroshima Municipal Baseball Stadium (Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City). While respecting the memories of the old baseball stadium and the Axis of Peace ^*2 that stretches north and south from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, we planned a park space where citizens can relax on a daily basis and where a variety of events can be held to create a lively atmosphere.

The park features comfortable spaces to stay in, such as terraces, shady areas, and large covered plazas, allowing visitors to enjoy time outdoors in the mild Seto Inland Sea climate, fostering the "outdoor culture" ^*3 unique to Hiroshima, a lifestyle of enjoying time outdoors. Large wooden eaves and terraces have been installed between the park's central event plaza and the surrounding commercial stores, further enhancing the connection and liveliness of both areas. The design allows visitors to see inside the stores from outside the park, spreading the energy of the park to the surrounding area. Furthermore, a Peace Promenade ^*4 lined with cherry blossom trees along the Peace Axis and a play area for children have been developed, inviting visitors to the nearby HIROSHIMA STADIUM PARK ^*5. Walking paths linking the surrounding areas throughout the vast grounds enhance accessibility to central Hiroshima City.

This park is not only expected to serve as a foundation for revitalizing the area, but also to enhance the appeal of Hiroshima by fostering a lifestyle that suits the local climate. Approximately 6.3 million people visited the park in the year since it opened ^*6.

(Jointly awarded to five companies: NTT Urban Development Co., Ltd., Taisei Corporation, Hiroshima Electric Railway Co., Ltd., The Chugoku Shimbun Co., Ltd., and Hiroshima Bus Center Co., Ltd.)

[Evaluation by the judges]

This is the revitalization of a place that holds special memories for the people of Hiroshima. Various discussions have taken place among the people for a long time, and there have likely been many heated debates about this project. The solemn park, which prays for peace, is adjacent to a commercial area, but this has become a place of relaxation for the people in the truest sense. It was created with an eye on the benefits of the warm Seto Inland Sea climate, and was created to fully address the needs of the people. The project will be completed and demolished in 20 years, once the trees have grown and become a forest, but Hiroshima residents 20 years from now will likely want the bustle and vitality that this space generates to continue. I sensed this quiet enthusiasm from those involved.

[Area map]