In a recent post, I mentioned wanting to read “Emergent Tokyo”, a book that discusses the urban structures of Post-War Tokyo that are often viewed as iconic, alongside their “emergent nature”, meaning that they arose naturally, rather than being top-down planned. The authors specifically spoke of how many iconic and unique aspects of Tokyo’s urban design arise out of natural, community-based and community-led planning. Most importantly, they speak to the lessons of the five chosen phenomena—that rather than copying these strategies exactly, other cities should learn from the lessons and benefits they provide and try to replicate them in setting-appropriate ways. For example Zakkyo buildings (known for their pencil-liked shape and direct-from-street access, as well as their world-famous garish electronic and neon billboards) present a verticality of public space, according to the authors, and make up for upper-floor commercial use through signage. Though the model is probably not directly applicable to other cities, the direct public space access to commercial space connection (stairs and elevators for these buildings directly attach to the street) is something that could be applied. Likewise, Tokyo’s high density low-rise neighborhoods present an alternative to the single-family detached home suburb that is idealized in the west but unsustainable.
That latter point is what I felt was applicable to my current project idea, especially as I’ll begin to write my proposal in the coming days. These types of ideas present the alternative to suburban development that is so needed. Thinking vertically, more densely, and even of ways that single-family housing that’s seen as desirable can still be provided in the urban context, is the solution that we need. This book definitely gave a lot of considerable insight into how to provide that. Even moreso, it encouraged me to be creative about solutions and changes, and think closely about what the needs are, and create zoning and planning considerations that account for communities building in innovative and need-meeting ways, such as building underpass commercial areas. The lessons of “emergent Tokyo” are evident: there is not one-size-fits-all to cities, and no one who can only see a place from the top-down will be able to successfully create places which integrate a community. Emergent places are not chaotic, nor are they spontaneous, they’re meant to fit a niche, fulfill a need–this is why a walkable neighborhood which has been around for decades feels lived-in and approachable and the gentrified nothingness and sterility of dense five-over-ones in many American downtowns feels so contrived and meaningless despite the well-meaning nature of their designers.
I think this has been good for me as I learn more–it encourages me to be more creative when I try to envision what the future of a desuburbanizing city might look like. The broader lessons also have big impacts for any city. We should be looking to encourage access to public space, create public spaces that cater to wide ranges of people, integrate the demand for quiet detached housing into an urban environment, find verticality without high-impact skyscrapers, and more. Hopefully, I will find this book to continue being applicable in my research and career.
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