The post-war economic miracle in Japan, which created disposable income on a grand scale for Japanese consumers, resulted in famous shopping districts such as the Ginza in Tokyo, with its large department stores such as Mitsukoshi, and Daimaru, amongst many others. These places became shrines of opulence, where shoppers could indulge themselves in the very latest from the fashion houses of Chanel, Armani and the like. But more recently, two things have happened in Japan that have had a serious effect on the way Japanese shop.
Canal City, Fukuoka. The artificial canal reflects Fukuoka's waterways. A trademark Jerde Partnership walkway connects the Hyatt Hotel on the right with the shopping centre.
First, there was a downturn in the economy, lasting more than a decade. This made the Japanese consumer a little more wary, more thrifty, and more inclined to seek a little more for their money than just the ownership of name-brand goods. Second, and seemingly always present in the Japanese consumer, was the desire for new pleasures, new ways to be entertained, new places where the hard-earned and very restricted moments of leisure could be better spent. Enter the mid-city shopping and entertainment complex. And now that the economy is back on track, and Japanese consumers have regained the confidence to crack into their considerable savings, and spend money on themselves again, these complexes are proving to be just what the doctor ordered.
View of the Hyatt hotel windows looking down on the outdoor entertainment area, the artificial canal seperating the Hyatt and shops, A christmas tree as part of the creation of community, as are the bric-a-brac vendor stalls along the canal at street level.
Of course, large shopping centers, complete with entertainment facilities, are not new in the world. The West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, and Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia are just two that come to mind. Both of them are gigantic shopping areas, housing supermarkets, boutique stores, restaurants and cinema complexes. And both are a major tribute to the motor car. West Edmonton boasts parking for 20,000 cars - a world record - and Chadstone isn't that far behind. And therein lies a problem. Both of these centers are easily accessible by car, but not really by any form of public transport. And Japanese cities are not places to build shopping complexes that are oriented towards the motor car. So they need to provide a completely different atmosphere, and reason for existing, than the drive-in and shop malls of countries like Canada, Australia and the U.S., all with space to burn.
The landmark Mori tower of the Rappongi Hills complex, a view of the internal canyon and a walkway joining shopping precincts, the outdoor stage area for relaxing with entertainment, and a relaxing, but surprisingly not expensive restaurant and bar.
Japan has, so far, completed three major shopping and entertainment complexes to suit the new need. Canal City in Fukuoka, Rappongi Hills in Tokyo and Namba Parks in Osaka. The Jerde Partnership, an initially California based, and now very much global architectural and town planning firm, have created three very unique, exciting spaces, right in the middle of the busiest parts of these cities, easily accessible by public transport, and providing a quite unique mix of facilities to provide for the complex and changing tastes of Japanese consumers.
Part of the garden at Rappongi Hills, a cantilevered restaurant and shop out over the canyon, another view of the canyon and walkway, and the type of business that Rappongi Hills complex has attracted into the area.
The Canal City complex was the first completed, in 1996. It is located half way between JR Hakata station and the shopping and entertainment district of Tenjin. At the time of Canal City's conception, this area was a tired, run down assortment of shops and restaurants, and seedy night life joints. By providing a new and interesting shopping and entertainment focal point, Canal City has led the rejuvenation of Fukuoka, bringing people from outlying areas into the city to shop, stay, go to the theatre and cinema, eat and be entertained. It has lifted the cinema and theatre attendance figures of Fukuoka considerably, provided new restaurants across a range of economic needs, and has increased the casual population of the city which in turn has inspired competition from nearby vendors. It has a world-class Hyatt hotel adjacent to the complex, and several prestigious retail companies have recently moved their showroom premises into the area.
The office tower at Parks Namba, a view of the outdoor canyon at street level, and again showing the trademark walkways and earthy colored curved walls, and a rooftop restaurant nestled into the cascading garden.
Rappongi Hills, opened in 2003, has had a similiar effect on that part of Tokyo. It has a similiar range of shopping and eating facilities, perhaps a little more upmarket in the boutique area, reflecting its residential neighbourhood, and Tokyo generally. It too, has a Hyatt Hotel in the complex, as well as a world class art gallery. It also has a landmark high-rise office tower, the Mori tower, which adds to the domestic and international tourism appeal. Namba Parks, also opened in 2003, is the newest of the three, built on the site of a disused baseball stadium, close to transport, and adjacent to several large and prestigious hotels.
A view of the walkway from Nankai railway station through the garden to the Parks Namba shopping centre, and open space outside a restaurant area.
All of the three facilities show a unique perspective on urban retail development, in that the presence of nature is very evident. Rappongi has a superb garden adjacent to the facility, complete with mini-rice fields, and rooftop gardens throughout the complex. Namba Parks has a gigantic, tumbling terraced garden at rooftop level, and Canal City is built around a waterway that flows through the middle of the complex. These natural spaces are constantly visible as you move through and around all three complexes.
Getting the garden ready for spring at Parks Namba, and a view of the canyon showing the outdoor elevator.
These centers are not places to go and pick up the weekend groceries, nor are they shops to just drive down to in the car to pick up a single urgently needed item. They are entertainment complexes, where you can spend half a day or more, shopping, eating, being entertained, being educated, and relaxing in their open spaces. And they achieve this with unique and interesting architecture, right in the middle of major cities. Facilities that the architects, and Japanese consumers, can be pleased with, and proud of.
RK
Beautiful Planning for a good solutions
Posted by: Ms Indra Tjahjani | October 11, 2007 at 02:13 PM