CRP 685D Planning Studio:

Urban Renewal for Tokyo Water Bus System

Class time: T/Th 2-5pm

Classroom: SUT 3.108

Instructor: Dr. Junfeng Jiao jjiao@austin.utexas.edu

Figure 1. Water Bus in Tokyo, Source: https://en.oshiete.goo.ne.jp/article/23

Figure 2. Tokyo Water Bus System, Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3042.html

Figure 3. Asakusa's water bus pier, Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3042.html

Figure 4. Ryōgoku’s water bus pier, Source: https://www.google.com/maps/

1 Course Summary

The Tokyo Water Bus is a water transportation system that goes around the Sumida River and

Tokyo Bay in Tokyo Japan. There are six different lines allowing people to see the Tokyo

skylines from both the river and the ocean. The Tokyo Water Bus System originally has three

major functions: 1) commuting, 2) freight, and 3) sightseeing. The trace of Tokyo’s waterways

and rivers goes back to the Edo period (1603-1867). However, due to the fast development of

land-based transportation (e.g. subway, train, bus), it has lost its commuting and freight

functions. Now, it is mainly used for sightseeing purpose. It does offer different water bus boats

and routes to meet the tourist demands. As a convenient transportation mode, Tokyo Water Bus

is widely used by tourists when traveling between famous waterside destinations (e.g. Skytree,

Sensō-ji etc).

Figure 5. Tokyo Water Buses

Source: https://www.suijobus.co.jp/ and http://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/waterbus/

In the last several decades, the built environments along the water bus lines and within

surrounding neighborhoods had changed significantly. With the Olympic 2020 around the

corner, it is important to revisit the existing water bus system and surrounding neighborhoods.

By doing this, we hope to improve the efficiency and attractiveness of Water Bus system for

both daily commuting and tourism purposes. This studio focuses on the overall Tokyo Water Bus

system and aiming to redesign selected stations and surrounding neighborhoods. This

comprehensive planning studio provides students a real-world case to learn and apply

planning/design theories into practice.

2 The Project Site

This studio will involve physical planning, infrastructure development, land use renews,

neighborhood regeneration and tourism development. Students can focus on different

neighborhoods along the water bus routes. Some of the important neighborhoods include

Asakusa 浅草, Akihabara秋葉原, Ryogoku 両国, Nipponbashi ⽇本橋, Hinode Pier 日の出ふ

頭, Hamarikyu 浜離宮, Tennozu 天王洲, Odaiba お台場 (references on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/366624470900739/ ). In the following we will briefly discuss

two important neighborhoods.

Asakusa is a very important historical district in Taitō, Tokyo. It is one of the transportation

centers in Tokyo with easy accesses to subway, train and water bus system. Asakusa

neighborhood is famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple and several other temples. It is a

must-go destination for tourists and very popular among locals as well.

Figure 6. Asakusa neighborhood, source: Google Map

Ryogoku is another important neighborhood along the water bus line. It is a district in Sumida,

Tokyo. This neighborhood is famous for its traditional Japanese events such as Sumo and

Fireworks. As the heartland of professional sumo, there are many Sumo training stables (Sumo

Heba) as well as the Ryogoku Kokugika (Sumo Arena). Every year, it also holds the famous

traditional fireworks festival Sumidagawa on the last Saturday in July.

It is important to note that students can and have the freedom to work on other water bus

neighborhoods.

Figure 7. Ryogoku neighborhood, source: Google Map

3 Objectives

The studio will be structured around case-study based design research, site visits, site analyses,

design presentations, design assignments and design reviews. An extensive set of future view of

water bus stations and surrounding neighborhoods will be produced by the studio and will be

presented to related agencies. Students will be expected to make connections between the planning

ideas and the impacts on existing environments. Meanwhile, students should be able to present

their design professionally using different graphic software programs. This studio will include the

following objectives:

• To understand the roles and potential of each discipline in the urban built environment

through physical planning and urban design

• To be able to develop critical strategies that address economic, social and environmental

implications in the urban context through the process of analysis, case study evaluation,

and collaborative practice.

• To understand the transportation forecasting and its applications for urban design and

planning.

• To be able to graphically and verbally communicate design strategies and complex urban

issues to a wide audience including professionals and the general public

• To become comfortable using GIS, InDesign, Photoshop, Sketchup and other graphic

related software to present physical planning and urban design content

4 Project Scopes

This studio will cover the following areas:

• Transportation demand forecasting and management;

• Water Bus Station Neighborhood planning and design

• Mobility and Accessibility for all especially for vulnerable population.

• Streetscape and façade enhancements;

• Shoreline design;

5 Deliverables

• Final report, including images and graphics files

• Data generated through course

• Posters describing elements

• Presentation of findings

• 3D physical models

6 Grading and Policy

6.1 Grade

Students’ works will be evaluated on its rigor and evolution over the semester. Late assignments,

incomplete projects or missed reviews will be dropped a letter grade, unless the student have an

appropriate excuse (religious holiday, medical) accepted by the instructor. Project reviews are

mandatory.

• A/A-: excellent - project surpasses expectations in terms of inventiveness, appropriateness,

verbal and visual ability, conceptual rigor, craft, and personal development. Student

pursues concepts and techniques above and beyond what is discussed in class. The work

submitted exceeds required drawings and models.

• B+/B/B-: above average - project is thorough, well researched, diligently pursued, and

successfully executed. Student pursues ideas and suggestions presented in class and puts

in effort to resolve required projects. The work demonstrates potential for excellence and

is complete.

• C+/C/C-: average - project meets the minimum requirements. Suggestions made in class

are not pursued with dedication or rigor. The work is nearly complete.

• D+/D/D-: below average - basic skills including graphic skills, model-making skills, verbal

clarity or logic of presentation are not level appropriate. Student does not demonstrate the

required design skill and knowledge base. The work is incomplete.

• F: failure - minimum objectives are not met. Performance is not acceptable. Note that this

grade will be assigned with excessive unexcused absences.

6.2 Deadline

Deadlines are IMPORTANT. Again, Late submissions are not accepted. Standard exceptions for

major medical situations apply; such situations should be discussed with the instructor as soon as

possible. This class is governed by all the university’s student policies, including those on

plagiarism and submissions. Please avoid using cell phone or creating other distractions in class.

6.3 Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Participation is expected. The minimum penalty for more than two

unexcused absences is a full letter drop in your final grade for the course. Please contact the

instructor prior to class if you expect to be late or miss class. A student who is absent from a class

for the observance of a religious holy day may complete the work missed within a reasonable time

after the absence, if proper notice has been given in advance of the days to be missed. A student

who fails to complete missed work within the time allowed will be subject to the normal academic

penalties.

6.4 ADA Accommodations

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a policy of this course. Students with

disabilities may request accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community

Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 471.6259,

http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/.

If you are entitled to accommodations, please let me know as soon as possible by providing your

accommodation letter and discussing with me the accommodations you will need.

6.5 Academic Integrity Statement

“The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom,

leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected

to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and

community.”

7 References:

• McHarg, Ian. Design with Nature

• Frtriz Steiner and Kent Bulter, Planning and Urban Design Standards

• Doughlas Farr, Sustainable Urbanism Urabn Design With Nature

• Tim Heath et al. Public Places Urban Spaces

• Kevin Lynch, Good City Form

• Kevin Lynch, The Image of The City

• Birgitte Svarre and Jan Gehl, How to Study Public Life

• Wade Graham, Dream Cities: Seven Urban Ideas That Shape the World 9. David Dixon

and Lance Jay Brown Urban Design for an Urban Century

• Charles Montgomey Happy City

• Jan Gehl, Life Between Buildings 12. Matthew Carmona and Steve Tiesdell, Urban Design

Reader

8 Timelines

8.1 The Timeline for the Field Study (draft-subject to changes)

UT & TMU: Tokyo Water Bus Project Itinerary Data Time Itinerary Accommo

dation 9/2 (M) UT Students arrive at Tokyo

テキサス大生・東京到着 no group arrangement

9/3(Tue) 9:30 am The Group Meetup for Day 1. 第１⽇⽬の集合

The 2nd floor of the #2 main building Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/english/offices/map.html?fbclid=IwAR3Frm_Tk4FBuVgmdneaCKM3V8eI_eolzE0UGFcwbhzSkPH7Nkyz9hGczls 東京都庁（新宿）

no group accommodation

TBA (10-11:30am)

l Professional Meeting #1 by Transportation Planning, , Bureau of Urban Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Gov.

l 東京都都市整備局交通企画課 http://www.toshiseibi.metro.tokyo.jp/kiban/suishin_kaigi/

TBA (12-2pm)

Lunch & Participant Member Introduction 昼食＆参加者の紹介

(quick tour of Asakusa 浅草のミニツアー)

TBA (4-5pm)

Water Bus Ride (Asakusa-Hinode Pier) 水上バス（浅草―日の出ふ頭）

(JR Yamanote & YurikamomeTrain to Waterfront Olympic Neighborhoods

JR 山手線、ゆりかもめでウォーターフロントのオ

リンピック会場地域を通過)

6:30-8:30pm

Welcome Dinner @ Tsukishima or Tsukiji Old Fishmarket (Monja, or seafood) ウェルカム・ディナー（月島もんじゃ、または築

地場外市場の海鮮）

9/4 (Wed) TBA Day 2. Meeting time & location TBA. Details still to be coordinated. 詳細は調整中

The National Olympic Memorial Youth Center (NYC)

TBA (10-11am)

Commuter Water Bus Ride (Asashio Water Channel to Nipponbashi Bridge)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihonbashi

通勤用の水上バス体験（朝潮運河乗場から日本

橋）

TBA (11:30am-1pm)

Lunch Tokyo Station neighborhood or Ryogoku neighborhood 昼食（東京駅周辺、または両国周辺）

TBA (1;30pm-4pm)

Professional Meeting #2: Urban Waterfront Development Partners 一般社団法人 水都創造パートナーズ

https://www.suitosozo.org/top 5pm Check in the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center

(NYC) https://nyc.niye.go.jp/en/access-train/ 国立オリンピック記念センター（NYC) にチェッ

クイン

6pm- Walk to Shibuya and pass by the World-Famous Shibuya Crossing and the Dog 渋谷までウォーキン

グ散歩、渋谷交差点とハチ公前を通過）

7-9pm Dinner in Shibuya 夕食を渋谷

9/5 (Thu) 9:30am-5pm

Project Discussion & Recommendations @ TMU Campus in Minami Osawa, (Multipurpose room, Bldg 9, 1st floor)

NYC

プロジェクトの議論と提案＠首都大学東京・南大

沢キャンパス（9 号館１階多⽬的室）

TBA Dinner near TMU Campus 夕食・南大沢キャンパス周辺

9/6 (F) Entire Day

Group Research Day (UT & TMU students will be assigned to three groups and conduct research visits) グ

ループ調査日（テキサス大と首都大の学生を 3 つ

の合同グループ分けして、グループ別に視察調

査）

NYC

9/7 (Sat) 7-9 am (Optional) Morning Walk & Breakfast to the National Olympic Stadium & Jingu Gaien （オプション）早朝

散歩と朝食（オリンピックの国立競技場と神宮外

苑周辺）

NYC

10-12pm Group Day Report & Discussion @ TBA (maybe NYC) グループ活動報告と議論＠未定（NYC など都心）

Free Afternoon 午後は自由行動

6-7:30pm Water Bus Night Cruise (Tokyo Bay, or Sumida River) 水上バスのナイトクルーズ（東京湾、または隅田

川）

9/8 (Sun) Free Day (e.g., Shopping, Kamakura, Tokyo Bike Ride, Architecture Tour, Tourist Attractions, Cultural and Sports events) 自由行動（例えば、買い物、鎌

倉、建築ツアー、東京自転車ツアー、観光地、文

化やスポーツイベント）

NYC

9/9 (Mon) Check out NYC by 10 am and leave Tokyo for Austin （チェックアウト、東京を出発してオースティン

へ帰米）

8.2 Overall Studio Timeline

Week Day Date Activity Notes 1 Th 8/29 Class kickoff meeting Introduction and

preparation before departure

2 T Th

9/3 9/5

Field study in Tokyo, hosted by the TMU

Detail information in Section 8.1

3 T Th

9/10 9/12

Group work

4 T Th

9/17 9/19

Group work

5 T Th

9/24 9/26

Guest lecture Dr. Tetsuo Shimizu

Guest speaker from the Tokyo Metropolitan University

6 T Th

10/1 10/3

Guest lecture Toshi Ogura

Guest speaker from the Tokyo Metropolitan University

7 T Th

10/8 10/10

Group work

8 T Th

10/15 10/17

Mid-term review

9 T Th

10/22 10/24

Group work

10 T Th

10/29 10/31

Group work

11 T Th

11/5 11/7

Group work

12 T Th

11/12 11/14

Pilot final presentation

13 T Th

11/19 11/21

Group work

14 T Th

11/26 11/28

Thanksgiving Holiday (no class)

15 T Th

12/3 12/5

Final review