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mukojima networks >> basics >> [ mukojima networks background ]
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Since almost 10 years, a group of inhabitants, town planners and architects is developing future strategies for the area that respect its special identity and the existing qualities. An international neighborhood exchange on the NPO level between Tokyo/Mukojima and Hamburg/Ottensen is one of the results of this activity, the "Transit City Mukojima International Design Workshop" that was held in 1998 is another.
The mukojima networks project is a follow up activity of the "Transit City Mukojima International Design Workshop" and is based on three main pillars:
>> the discussion between inhabitants, architects, town planners, artists, students, and local authorities
>> the creation of a town planning network
>> the production and presentation of art, architecture and town planning projects in the public space of the neighborhood
Our activity focusses especially on the following questions in Mukojima and Kyojima:
>> what are the town development strategies that allow for modernization with respect to the existing qualities of the area
>> how can we protect (and recreate) a lively, pleasant and safe public neighborhood space
>> how can the area become more attractive for children and young people
>> what to do with the growing number of "Akiya" and "Akichi"
mukojima networks concrete approach
> Starting from the image of the neighborhood as a whole, we developed a number of conceptual approaches that use its currently unused potential - precisely: its open lots, its empty houses, the voids, and the in-between spaces - in order to generate new perspectives.
> One important part of this conceptual approaches was to propose a 1:1 object, fragment, or model that was built and put up in the area. This objects didn't function as single pieces, but rather as parts of a network that supports the creation and recreation of the identity of Mukojima.
> Of course the process of asking permission, the discussions "by the way", the communication with people living there, the misunderstandings and explanations, all that happened while preparing and carrying out the event on the site, were an important part of the game (that we might call "town planning").
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