VIII. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan — David Siepmann

As the capital of Japan since 1869 Tokyo today houses the Emperor as well as the Japanese government. Formerly called Edo, its history can be traced back to a small fishing village that became fortified in the 12th century. Today, it is not just one of the most expensive cities but also one of the most livable. Tokyo, divided into 23 special wards, is considered a ‘metropolitan prefecture’.

Left: Famous Shibuya Crossing. Right: Chiyoda business district at the foot of Hie Shrine.

Population:
Urban: 13,929,286 people
Metro: 38,140,000 people

Area:
Urban: 2,193.96 km²
Metro: 13,572 km²

Population Density:
Urban Average: 6,349 people/km²
Metro Average: 2,662 people/km²

Politics:
Tokyo’s political, governmental structure is unique in Japan. Subdivided into 23 “special central wards” since 1943, each ward has its own elected leader and council. However, they remain under the jurisdiction of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which is also responsible for some of the urban infrastructural systems and municipal functions such as sewage and fire-fighting. The political center of Tokyo rests in Chiyoda Ward, the least populated part, despite its location at the “heart of former Tokyo City”. In the three central wards (Chiyoda, Chūō and Minato) population fluctuates heavily with business hours as they house the government, the Emperor, as well as larger Japanese corporations.

TopLeft: Central Tokyo near Shinjuku. TopRight: Roppongi Hills Shopping. BottomLeft: Chiyoda Business Center. BottomRight: Shibuya Crossing.

Tokyo, Japan. High Density Buildig Typologies

Tokyo, Japan. Means of transportation

Tokyo, Japan. Traffic hubs and nodes

Tokyo, Japan. Urban Void Spaces

Tokyo, Japan- Chofu City:

Area: 21.58 square km
Population: 228,663 people
Population Density: 10,590 people/km²

Tokyo, Japan- Shibuya:

Area: 15.11 square km
Population: 221,801 people
Population Density: 14,679 people/km²

Tokyo, Japan- Kita:

Area: 20.61 square km
Population: 340,287 people
Population Density: 16,510 people/km²

LEARNING FROM TOKYO

Hoheluftbruecke, Hamburg, GER

Crossing the Isbek Canal the project proposal intensifies the existing street bridge by providing a multi-layered programmatic approach combined with residential spaces. The new bridge connects not only horizontally the two adjacent quarters of Hamburg, it is at the same time a vertical link from elevated urban green space to boat access in the canal itself.

The main frame provides the structure that program intersects with. It is placed over the old bridge and thus effectively becomes the bridge itself. Larger masses adhering to the frame structure provide the more static programmatic moves, wheras smaller units can be added over time. Circulation through the space is defined by a web of ramps stitching the separate units together. The new Hoheluftbruecke provides direct access to the metro station. Program is varied to enable a healthy mixture.

While the bridge extents vertically, the frame design concept allows for views through it. Furthermore the design increses interaction with the water itself.

The Hoheluftbruecke Axonometric

site impressions.

alternate design implementation.

— AQQ