Collective renovation : case study on the public / private relationship in high-density low-rise residential areas of central Tokyo

Abstract

This thesis starts with the interest in the undefined open spaces of high-density low-rise (HDLR) residential areas in Tokyo. In these spaces, one can witness numerous examples of overlapping public and private uses. For example, public streets are often appropriated as private gardens by a subtle but prominent gesture by residents to place many potted plantations on the street. These phenomenons contribute to the vitality and safety of the neighborhood, as well as reflecting an effective use of space in a limited inner-city environment. The aim of this thesis is to propose a housing development strategy that nourishes these qualities of the HDLR residential environment. The proposal seeks to provide an alternative to prevailing high-rise developments, to allow for more flexibility between public and private spaces. This thesis is a hypothetical and academic exercise, which builds up on premises based on current statistics and characteristics of the project site. The design maintains and starts with the inherited urban fabric of the HDLR site, and proposes an individual renewal process of houses that collectively metamorphosize into an environment with greater sharing of public and private space. This neighborhood will continue to evolve as the population and lifestyles of residents change in the future.