Special Contract Professor at Yokohama City University
Education and Professional Experience:
• 1971: Master’s Degree, Graduate School, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Waseda University
• 1971 – 2011: Engaged in various projects for the Urban Design Dept., City of Yokohama, including posts as Head of Urban Design Dept., and Specialist Director/Executive Urban Designer, City of Yokohama.
Numerous achievements in urban design projects, focused on urban design and the redevelopment of central Yokohama. This succeeded in enhancing the scenic landscape and dynamism of the area while utilizing the existing assets of the central Yokohama area to its best advantage.
Major achievements include: Relocation of the shipyard and construction of a new a business/commercial area (Minato Mirai 21); conversion and renaissance of the historical Red Brick Warehouses into a commercial facility, while preserving its cultural assets; redevelopment/revitalization of business districts, including Basha-michi and Motomachi; construction of the waterfront pedestrian network space; preservation/utilization of structures of historical significance in the Kannai-Yamate district.
• 2006 to 2019: Contract Professor, Yokohama City University, 2019 to present: Visiting Professor. In addition to City of Yokohama, engaged by numerous other cities in Japan as an urban design advisor, and member of several related committees.
• 2015 – 2018: Urban Design Advisor to Gwangju metropolitan area, Republic of Korea
• 2016 – 2018: Formulated a proposal to revitalize the BM district, Seberang Perai, Malaysia, and partially executed the plan.
• 2015 – present: Support/promotion of Japan – Korea Urban Design Networking Forum
Presentation Outline:
1. About the Minato Mirai 21 Development Project
In 1965, the City of Yokohama announced 6 major development plans and launched endeavors toward their realization, to establish its independence and revitalize the city core.
One of 6 major plans was the City-Center Strengthening Projects. Its central project was named “Minato Mirai 21 Project” and started long-awaited development under following 3 urban visions. Minato means port. Mirai means future, 21 means 21th century.
① A Round-the-Clock Cosmopolitan Cultural City
② A 21st Century Information City
③ An Inviting City Offering Ample Waterfront, Green Space and Heritage
This project proactively incorporated “urban design” methods to create an urban space with a distinct character. Today, Minato Mirai 21 is nearly 90% completed and is the new, dynamic core of Yokohama.
2. Efforts Aimed at Realizing an International Convention City
An international zone was designated in the Minato Mirai 21 area, planned to be an optimum location for business, facilities related to international exchange, conference centers, exhibition halls, hotels, shopping and entertainment facilities, cultural facilities and urban housing, etc. 1991 marked a milestone in the progress toward constructing facilities for international exchange, when the core facility, PACIFICO Yokohama (comprising a conference center, exhibition halls, hotel, etc.) was inaugurated. PACIFICO Yokohama has upgraded and expanded its functions several times in the almost 30 years since the facility was first completed.
Furthermore, Minato Mirai has attracted numerous global organizations’ and enterprises’ headquarters and R&D facilities, including the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).
3. Progress Toward Realizing a Unique MICE Urban Center
Thanks to the efforts over the years, the central Yokohama area including Minato Mirai 21 is now an urban space with a distinctive character, with a sustainable, humanistic urban environment in place, where diverse meetings & exhibitions and other fora for international networking are actively taking place. Going forward, with the influx of new policy practice and projects, Yokohama is progressing forward steadily on its way to becoming a truly unique MICE urban center.