Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome North District Disaster Prevention Block Development Project

Creating Connections

The Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome area, located at the intersection of the Kanda River and Ome Kaido Avenue, was a picturesque suburban area during the Edo period, featuring historical sites such as the Kumano Shrine and the Jyuniso Pond, as illustrated in “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” by Hiroshige.
In one corner of this historically rich area lies the Nishi-Shinjuku 5-chome North District. At the start of the urban redevelopment project in 2006, this district featured a serene atmosphere with wooden detached houses set against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers. However, there was a pressing need to update its urban functions from the perspectives of disaster prevention and environment.
In response to these needs, a “Disaster Prevention Block Development Project” was initiated, which included the development of a multi-function facility and a park equipped with disaster prevention features. The overall landscape design for this project was undertaken by STGK.

The concept of the landscape was “Creating Connections.” By leveraging various elements present in this location, we aimed to establish unique connections inherent to this place. For instance, we incorporated the feel of density from the time when wooden houses were clustered together and the presence of local festivals that had been nurtured and passed down through generations. By integrating these motifs of scale and human activities that had long been part of this area into the design, we strove to create a space that connected with the past while fostering new connections for the future.

Additionally, in order to create these “connections,” we formed an organization called the “Plaza Explorers,” which aimed to foster the vibrancy of the area post-completion and develop an operational organization. The “Plaza Explorers” was composed of landowners and various experts involved in the project. They toured vibrant plazas across Tokyo to gather insights and engaged in discussions regarding the landscape design of this project.