SUMIDA RIVERFRONT: INCREASING WATER TRANSIT DEMAND THROUGH URBAN DESIGN `
CENTRAL TOKYO
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JAPAN
TOKYO
STUDY AREA
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With extreme overcrowding on Tokyo’s subway system and 600,000 additional visitors expected during the 2020 Olympics, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is exploring ways to increase the use of the underutilized water bus system. This studio offers urban design solutions to increasing demand for the existing water bus system, using the Sumida River corridor between Asakusa and Ryogoku as a pilot study.
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The Sumida River flows through central Tokyo and into the Tokyo Bay, and was once the primary route for trade and industry in the city. The Sumida remains a popular tourist destination for viewing several of Tokyo’s historic sites.
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GREEN CORRIDORS 1
Project Team: Elisabeth Altazan, Yefu Chen, Nicole Haggerty, Jessica Huang, Frank Lan, Tess Lynch, Jeffrey Rivas, Suzy Zu
WATERFRONT DESIGN 2
PIER DESIGN 3
TREE
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SUMIDA RIVERFRONT: INCREASING WATER TRANSIT DEMAND THROUGH URBAN DESIGN `
Green Corridor Design The green corridors provide a solution for connectivity to the waterfront between Asakusa, the Tokyo Skytree, and Ryogoku. The corridors connect existing green spaces to the waterfront, providing a walkable network of points of interest in the area and guide people to the Sumida riverfront. 16-minute walk to Tokyo Skytree
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Major Streets Major streets, which have a large right-of-way, will be redesigned to have a tree-lined pedestrian walkway in the center of the street. Space from the existing right-of-way adjacent to the buildings will be reduced and moved to the center.
Existing Conditions Proposed Design
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10-minute walk to Senso-Ji Temple
D 8 ft
20 ft
28 ft
20 ft
8 ft
B 15-minute walk to Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena
C Existing Conditions Proposed Design
Minor Streets The right-of-way will remain the same, but trees will be added to provide shade to pedestrians. The added plantings will help to reduce urban heat 10 ft
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Existing Conditions Proposed Design
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Example of green corridor design on East Waterfront
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Existing Conditions Proposed Design
18 ft
10 ft
Intersections The intersections, as the connection points, aim to link the Green Corridors and Waterfronts. The map shows the proposed Green Corridor Network.
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SUMIDA RIVERFRONT: INCREASING WATER TRANSIT DEMAND THROUGH URBAN DESIGN WATERFRONT MASTER PLAN N
INTRODUCTION Waterfront design aims to create public space for local residents or potential tourists, provding a connection between inner land on the west and the east sides of waterfront by being integrated with pier and green corridor design. The redevelopoment strategies along waterfront should incentivize local urban ecology, leisure and tourism.
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EXISTING CONDITIONS A
RENDERINGS (After Design)
CORE CONCEPT Transportation
CONNECT STRATEGY a. Individual
b. Group
Tourism Entertainment
Existing Conditions
WATERFRONT BIKELANE
DEVELOPMENT MODE
EAST WATERFRONT
d. Gather
SUMIDA RIVER
WEST WATERFRONT
WATERFRONT WALKWAY
c. Connect
Waterfront + Green Corridor
Public Space Created
WATERFRONT DESIGN STRATEGY Flooding Wall Before
Remove Flooding Wall + Integrate Space After
The west bank waterfront design provides public space among the commercial and cultural hotspots in Asakusa. The waterfront will feature space for retail vendors to attract visitors to the water, and will include shade and seating for pedestrians.
5m
5m
Water Front Section A-A (After Design) 3.5m
4.5m
3m
3m
6m
The east bank waterfront design offers public space focused on active transportation along the river. As the east bank is covered by a raised highway, the design focuses on making walking or biking along the waterfront more comfortable.
3 Waterbus System
Stitching the Site
Before Lack of Urban Consistency
After Urban Form Organized
Before Dead Retail & Separated Utilities
After Organized Retail Space and Utilities
Underused Water Front
Water Front Space Activated
Lack of Gathering Space
Gathering Space Created
Water Front Scenery Blocked by Floodwall Glass Flood Wall Openings
Historic Cherry Blossom Trees
Trees Preserved
Parallel Pedestrian Routes
Inconvenient for Persons with Disabilities Accessibility Created
4.3 miles 34 min
Waterbus Model Selection
Amphibious Waterbus Model
Current Traditional Waterbus Model
Current Tourist-Targeted Waterbus Model
More Walkways and Accessibility
3 Masterplan
Waterfront Area
Flood Wall Renewal
Pier Designed for Amphibious Waterbus
Leading People from Paved Plaza to the Waterfront
Waterfront Corridor
Created Urban Experience Walking on the Created Courtyards Containing Cherry Floodwall Corridor. Trees
Moving People from the Floodwall to the Retail Alleys Lead to the Waterfront Waterfront Shaded Waterbus Waiting Area under Retail Buildings
Section & Pier Location Map
1/4 mile
1/4 mile
Pier Design Location
1/4 mile
1/4 mile
1/4 mile 1/4 mile
1/3 mile
1/3 mile
1/3 mile
1/4 mile
1/3 mile 1/3 mile 1/3 mile
View from Opposite Bank
Aerial Map