the identity of the traditional common space

In Japan the common space is a place with undefined and invisible borders. The borders are created by certain activities. For example, the border between the street and the Kyomachiya, is the activity of the shop rather than the facade. Memories are also implied in activities, such as in a festival. In contrast, in the West, the common place is visually well defined by buildings or walls. Monuments are what imply memories rather than activities.

The urban renewal and its building blocks neglect the idea of activities creating the borders of the common place. Instead, high rise buildings create hard borders which disturb the public activities, abandoning idea and the purpose of the Japanese common space.*

* (Thompson, 1998)

fig 23. fragment of kyoto’s public space fig 24. nolli map of Ghent Chapter 2: main consequence of urban renewal - the vanishing of the traditional townscape