URBAN PLANNING
In October of the 108th year, Urbanet Group embarked on a visit and business exchange trip to Tokyo. Apart from visiting renowned real estate and investment developers, they also explored successful urban planning cases around Tokyo Station, including Marunouchi and Nihonbashi.
Marunouchi in Tokyo is home to the largest office buildings, housing the headquarters of many prominent Japanese companies, including the Mitsubishi Group. Nihonbashi, on the other hand, has been the starting point of Japan's national road network since the Edo period. It is now a financial and commercial center, comparable to the financial district in the city center of London, hosting institutions such as the Bank of Japan and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
These two areas are located to the west and north of Tokyo Station, and their development over the past century has left behind historical and culturally significant architectural streets. Through meticulous urban renewal planning, these areas have been revitalized by integrating old and new elements, creating a hybrid space that combines greenery, leisure, and commercial functions. This has transformed the office buildings, which used to be crowded only on working days, into thriving spaces.
A notable feature of the streetscapes in Marunouchi and Nihonbashi is the presence of 31-meter-high podium buildings.。
This planning characteristic is a result of the Building Law enacted in Japan in 1919, which initially restricted the height of buildings outside residential areas to 31 meters. Although the height restriction has since been relaxed to 150-200 meters, the 31-meter limit for buildings below that height was preserved to maintain the appropriate scale between existing buildings and pedestrians, as well as to provide a sense of spaciousness in the streets. Therefore, both historical buildings below 31 meters and new constructions are required to have podiums of the same height, as seen in buildings like KITTE Marunouchi, Marunouchi Building, Shin-Marunouchi Building, Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower Building, Nihonbashi COREDO, and Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, featured in the photographs.
Through this approach, the preservation of urban context and the benefits of commercial development are simultaneously achieved, maximizing cultural, economic, and spatial effectiveness.
During the visit, Urbanet Group, in collaboration with Taiwan Ports Corporation and Jones Lang LaSalle, engaged in in-depth discussions and gathered opinions to establish a foundation for formulating suitable development directions and industries for the surrounding land of Keelung Port. They also took the opportunity to release investment information for this project and increase the interest of potential investors. By building relationships through these exchanges, they aimed to lay the groundwork for future investment operations.
A total of five renowned real estate and investment development companies were visited during this investment promotion trip. After listening to presentations, the companies expressed admiration for the current development plan for Keelung Port and provided suggestions regarding planning and investment. The key points are shared below:
1. Long-term planning with gradual progress
Taking the example of Minato Mirai 21 (MM21) in Yokohama, which has achieved a current development rate of 95% over more than 50 years since its initial proposal in 1965, it is evident that waterfront development cannot be accomplished overnight. By formulating initial rules, continuously updating and amending plans and regulations in line with the times, and implementing phased development, the current scale can be achieved. After development, it is crucial to focus on ongoing operations and management, which should be adjusted and revised promptly to adapt to social trends and tendencies, ensuring continuous competitiveness and attractiveness.
2. Suggestions for Keelung Port development
Considering long-term development, the companies visiting Keelung Port, based on their past experiences in urban or port area development in places like Roppongi and Toyosu, recommended focusing primarily on domestic consumer groups rather than relying solely on international tourists. By strengthening tourist attractions and introducing family-oriented or culinary elements, they suggested creating a market differentiation from Taipei and attracting the large consumer population in Greater Taipei. Additionally, adopting the concept of "local real estate and sales" could lead to the development of local industries that capitalize on unique cultural characteristics, stimulating local economic growth and increasing attractiveness to foreign investments.
3. Overseas investment strategies of Japanese businesses
Through this visit and business exchange, it was revealed that Japanese businesses currently exhibit a stable interest in investing in Taiwan. Their primary investment methods involve providing funding or consulting services in operations, design, and planning. Apart from differences in return on investment between Taiwan and Japan, the longer leasehold duration in Taiwan and the lack of appropriate exit mechanisms are factors that affect foreign businesses' willingness to operate. In the future, it may be beneficial to relax investment conditions and establish suitable exit mechanisms to enhance foreign investment interest and attract foreign capital.
Urbanet Group actively engages with the international community, embracing the latest planning concepts and development thinking. By combining a global perspective synchronized with local viewpoints, they provide high-level services to their clients.
