4th WCSET-2015 at Japan
Plenary Session:
Title:
Topography and history: patterns in Tokyo’s green
infrastructure
Authors:
Wybe KUITERT
Abstract:
Tokyo’s green infrastructure is based on a historic
system following topography and natural systems of water
and vegetation. Edo, roughly the centre of modern Tokyo,
was established at the edge of the Musashino plain, a
diluvial plateau; the coastal plain was occupied later.
The plateau’s water system was redone to provide
citizens with household water. Temple grounds remained
spacious with fields and woods. Estates for the wealthy,
mostly on the plateau, were designed to buffer a range
of inconveniences and disasters. After the end of
feudalism in the 1860s, many private estates gained a
function in the green infrastructure of new Tokyo.
Public park policy was established in 1873: a major
development was the Meiji Shrine. With ruleof-thumb
ideas on plant sociology, a large urban forest was
created, based on vernacular wisdom and modern science.
At the Kanto earthquake in 1923, existing urban open
space helped in absorbing refugees. Urban renewal for
about 3100 hectares was activated – part of it was a
park system plan. On the upland plateau it remained a
diluted version of the earlier heavily landscaped city
with its numerous estates. On the contrary, in the
coastal plain 52 new neighborhood parks were built,
often close to schools, all meant to provide public
facilities in case of disaster. Relating directly to
earlier experience, as well as to the natural topography
of the urban landscape, a resilient urban green
infrastructure is now in place.
Keywords: Landscape System,
Sustainability, Edo
Pages:
002-002