SUSTAINABLE URBAN REGENERATION THROUGH “BOUNDARYLESS” UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT: INTEGRATION OF UNDERGROUND AND ABOVEGROUND, PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, AND CONTINUITY FROM PLANNING TO OPERATION – A CASE STUDY OF SHIBUYA, TOKYO

19th WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATED RESEARCH CENTRES FOR THE URBAN UNDERGROUND SPACE, Belgrade, Serbia, November 4-7, 2025. (Paper No: 6.5.95,  pp. 901-909)

 

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Taro Fukuda, Kento Yoshino

 

Download Full Pdf   

DOI:  10.46793/ACUUS2025.6.5.95

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

Tokyo has developed a rail-centered transport system above and below ground to support its vast population. Rapid development around railway stations in the late 20th century created complex urban structures and aging infrastructure. Today, Tokyo seeks regeneration strategies, with underground development key to improving livability and connectivity. As a solution to these problems, this study introduces strategies taken around Shibuya Station—one of Japan’s largest terminal stations—to discuss the benefits and challenges of “boundaryless” underground development led by NIKKEN SEKKEI. The strategies are integration of underground and aboveground, public-private partnerships, and continuity from planning to operation. The featured projects are as follows.

  1. Planning and operation of vertical public plazas called „the Urban Core” by private entities located in private land. Following the concept of regional design developed under public-private partnership, these facilities ensure smooth pedestrian connections between underground and aboveground and designed to be the city’s new iconic landmark.
  2. Planning and operation of underground public plaza by private entities located in public land. Revenue from contents such as cafes and advertisements within the plaza is reinvested into its maintenance and management, achieving both sustainable operation and area revitalization unique to underground spaces.
  3. Planning and operation of underground parking network that transcends multiple property boundaries of both public and private lands. This allows us to establish an integrated parking service in the area and ensure smooth aboveground traffic.

“Boundaryless”underground development strategies play a key role in connecting people and driving urban regeneration in complex cities like Shibuya. However, since underground development is time and money consuming, creating a system such as BID will be effective to manage financial burden not only subjected to developers but shared among the entire area that benefits from it.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Boundaryless, Pedestrian Network, Parking Network, Shibuya Station Redevelopment

ПРОЈЕКАТ / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

ЛИТЕРАТУРА / REFERENCES:

  • “Hyakunenn ni Ichido” no Daikibo-saikaihatsu, Shibuya-ekigaiku-keikaku, Saishusho he. TOKYU CORPORATION, East Japan Railway Company, Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. 2025.05.09. https://www.tokyu.co.jp/company/news/detail/56376.html (2025.06.23)
  • Shibuya Saikaihatsu, Kansei 7-nenn Okure -SCRAMBLE SQUARE 2-to no Kouji Hajimaru. The Asahi Shimbun, 2025.05.19.
  • Shin, A. (2021). Heisei Toshikeikaku-shi. Kaden-sha, 44-70
  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. (n.d.). Various Policy Measures in Urgently Implemented Urban Renaissance Districts. https://www.mlit.go.jp/toshi/crd_machi_tk_000008.html (2025.06.14).
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government. (2020). The Changing Face of Tokyo: From Edo to Today, and into the Future, 54-55.
  • Takayuki, K. (2022). Urban Development Centered Around Stations. Public Relations Office, Government of Japan. https://www.gov-online.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/202202/202202_01_en.html (2025.06.14)
  • Shinkenchiku Editorial Department. (2025). Doboku to Kenchiku ga Mukau Saki: Kyokai wo Tsunagu Chika Kukan. Shinkenchiku, Vol 100 (4), 170-177.
  • Junji, N, Kiyoshi, T, Keiichi, S, Mitsuyuki, A. (1995). Analysis of Motives of Opening in Urban Underground Shopping Malls. Historical Studies in Civil Engineering, Vol. 15, 45-60.
  • Shibuya City Office. (2022). Basic Philosophy of Community Development around Shibuya Station, 3-6.
  • Future Design Shibuya. (2021). Kawaritsudukeru! Shibuya-kei Machidukuri. Kosakusha, 22-33.