History
HISTORY
Project Outcomes
From social experiments on river site utilization to revisions to the river site occupancy permission guidelines
In order to revitalize Osaka as a water city, and to relax restrictions on the entities and facilities that could occupy the riverbed, which had been an obstacle to creating a lively atmosphere on the riverbed, the River Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued a notice (dated March 2004, 3) on "Special Measures for the Rules for Permission to Occupy River Sites." Under a certain framework as a social experiment, the entities and facilities that could be used were partially expanded, and it became possible to use the riverbed for things like cafe terraces and events.
The first area in Osaka to apply the special measures was the 170m stretch of Dotonbori River from Ebisubashi to Tazaemonbashi, as well as the Nakanoshima area. The special measures were initially for a period of three years, but the social experiment period was extended until March 3. During this time, various ways of using the area were tried and tested, with the aim of creating a lively river space through continuous utilization.
To carry out the social experiment, councils were established to coordinate the opinions of local stakeholders and to consider the content and rules of use of the river sites. The "Dotonbori River Waterfront Council" was established in the special zone of the Dotonbori River, and the "Nakanoshima Waterfront Council" was established in the special zone of the Nakanoshima area. Waterfront use has been gradually developed starting from the projects for which opinions were coordinated in these councils.
The growing momentum for private sector waterfront utilization became evident around 2009, leading up to the Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2008 event. In 2008, Nakanoshima was the center of the area, and parts of the Ajigawa and Okawa rivers, as well as the Dojimagawa and Tosaborigawa rivers, were designated as areas subject to special measures. In addition to Kitahama Terrace, which set up a riverside terrace (kawayuka) in the river area under certain conditions, private sector businesses full of ingenuity and creativity were developed in the river areas, such as the operation of shops at River Station Hachikenya and Nakanoshima Banks.
On the Dotonbori River Walk, a promenade along the Dotonbori River, public facilities including restaurants, shops, cafe terraces, and other plazas, as well as event facilities, are managed appropriately through a public institution that first issues permission to occupy the facilities. The public institution then enters into a usage contract with the private businesses that will carry out business activities, allowing the facilities to be set up and operated.
Additionally, at Kitahama Terrace, a riverside terrace along the Tosabori River, the Kitahama Waterfront Council was the first private organization to be certified as the occupying entity in order to set up a riverside terrace within the river area, and is now properly managing and operating the terrace.
In this way, Osaka's waterfront has created beautiful scenery and is making great strides in leading the revitalization of Osaka as an aquatic city.
Amid these developments, the riverside occupancy permission guidelines were revised in March 2011, allowing river administrators to designate "urban and regional revitalization zones" based on local requests, making it possible for businesses to carry out business activities on riverside land. Areas where social experiments had already been carried out by the private sector were successively designated as urban and regional revitalization zones. In Osaka City, following the designation of the Dotonbori River "Tonbori River Walk" zone in April 3, operation was entrusted to a private business without the involvement of a public institution.
Further developments aimed at utilizing waterfront areas are expected to take place in the future.
Major projects and areas of Aqua Metropolis Osaka
| Creating waterfront spaces | Town development activities (Utilization of public spaces, etc.) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Utilization area for urban/regional regeneration, etc. | Outside the urban/regional revitalization area | |
|
Dotonbori River area |
Dotonbori River area |
City of Light Development Higashiyokobori River Waterfront Vision (15) |
(Numbers correspond to the map)
Based on the river site occupation permission rules
Designation of urban and regional revitalization zones
(River Law revised in March 2011)
Following the revision of the riverside occupancy permission standards, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City designated urban and regional revitalization zones. The newly designated areas included the social experiment areas where riverside use had begun before the standards were revised, and Wakamatsuhama was designated as a new hub for activity in July 2012.
[Designated date [ ] indicates river administrator]
July 2011, 7 Okawa Hachikenyahama (Okawa) [Osaka Prefecture]
March 2012, 3 Nakanoshima East, Kitahama Terrace, Nakanoshima Banks (Dojima River, Tosabori River) [Osaka Prefecture]
April 2012, 4 Dotonbori River [Osaka City]
July 2012, 7 Wakamatsuhama (Dojima River) [Osaka Prefecture]
[Details of the Urban and Regional Regeneration Area Designation]
Osaka Prefectural Government, River Environment Division, River Office
Osaka City Construction Bureau, Sewerage and River Department, River Division
Tracing history
- Ancient to early modern times
- The evolution of ancient Osaka The center of waterborne trade The atmosphere and bustle of Osaka, the water city
- Modern to Showa era
- Modernizing Osaka Turning his back on the river after the war
- Osaka Water City Regeneration Period
- The start of the regeneration of the "Water City" Aqua Metropolis Osaka 2009 The leap forward of Osaka, the water city
- Osaka's Current Aquapolis
- Water and light city development Project Outcomes Waterside Town Fun Historical buildings in the Nakanoshima area
