2019-11-20

New Elevated Park Planned at Former Tsukiji Fish Market Site

News

(artist rendition of the elevated park in Ginza) image: Nikkei

On the 21st, Mayor Yamamoto of Tokyo’s Chuo Ward announced a redevelopment plan that would add greenery to the Tokyo Expressway (KK Line) running along the rooftops of buildings in the Ginza area. The proposed plan covers the development of an underground roadway to coincide with the section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway that runs through Nihonbashi being moved underground, and the redevelopment of the KK Line into a promenade. The goal of the project is to bring new life into the Ginza area.

(current KK Line with commercial buildings in Chuo Ward) image:Nikkei

In a meeting with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Mayor Yamamoto said, “I hope to have a green promenade similar to The Highline in New York.” The governor responded, “We looked at many similar cases of urban development plans overseas when considering how to redevelop the KK Line”.

The KK line is about 2 kilometers long and connects the Yaesu and Shimbashi areas. The Tokyo Expressway, funded by Dentsu and Mitsubishi Estate, also operates commercial buildings such as “Ginza Inns” and “Ginza Five”. The company uses the rental revenue from its buildings to fund road maintenance.

(The High Line Park in New York City inspired the development) image: ShutterStock

The project which the mayor drew inspiration from, New York's High Line, is a city park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. The project has been very well received by residents and tourists to the area. Chuo Ward proposed that the Tsukiji River section of the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Loop Line should also be covered in greenery. Mayor Yamamoto emphasized that he wants to create a green and comfortable environment in the city of Tokyo.

In the meeting with Governor Koike, Mayor Yamamoto called for redevelopment at the site of the former Tsukiji Fish Market to be completed by around 2029. The mayor complained, “If the project takes more than 20 years to complete it will make it difficult to maintain the liveliness of the Tsukiji area. I would like for it to be completed in 10 years or less.” At the same time, officials have requested the extension of the Tokyo Metropolitan Koharukai Line and the development of a new subway line connecting the city center and the coastal area.

Source: Nikkei