Canal RenaissanceTokyo
■ Overview
- "Canal Renaissance" is a project aiming to realize the "regeneration of Tokyo as a city of waterways", reviewing the role of canals from the new perspective of "tourism" and promoting the utilization of canals as a valuable water front space in a large city.
[Background]
At the port of Tokyo, there are canals in 40 locations spanning 60km in length. The canals used to be essential for cargo shipment to transport goods discharged at the port of Tokyo to inland using barges. In recent years, however, transportation by truck has become the mainstream due to the development of the road network,while the use of barges has decreased drastically. Simultaneously, in the hinterland of the canals, there has been a change in the use of land from factories, warehouses and housings to more urban land use.
[Aims]
Together with the development of the communities, the project aims to promote "Creation of vibrancy that contributes to tourism promotion", "Discovery of new use of canals and the enhancement of their attractiveness", and "Activation of the surrounding areas".
[Contents of the project]
- In order to deal with the issues for the implementation of the Canal Renaissance such as "relaxation of the regulation on the private use of water areas", "consensus building in the respective areas", and "involvement of the private sectors", Tokyo Metropolitan Government created the "Canal Renaissance Guidelines" in March 2005 as well as revised "Index of the permit of the private use of water areas" and developed the promotion system.
- Following these "Guidelines", the local communities organized the "Canal Renaissance Council", which composed mainly of town councils and store associations, and created the "Canal Renaissance Plan".
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government specified the "Promotion districts for the Canal Renaissance", confirming the compatibility of the"Canal Renaissance Plan" with the administrative policies of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and each district government.
- In the "promotion districts", the regulation on the permit of the private use of water areas, which had been limited to port-related business operators, was relaxed and the construction of floating restaurants and other facilities became possible.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government actively supports "Community initiatives such as the Canal Festival", "Development of revetments and promenade", and other initiatives.
- Up to the present, five districts were specified as "Promotion districts for the Canal Renaissance".
■ Period of Implementation
■ Features
- ・ Promotion of the use of waterfront space through the relaxation of regulations such as the permit of the private use of water areas.
- ・ Support for resident led community development
- ・ Tourism promotion
■ Outcomes / Achievements
- Five promotion ditricts for the Canal Renaissance were specified and attractive canals were created due to the relaxation of regulation.
- ・ Establishment of floating restaurants.
- ・ Establishment of canal cafes.
- ・ Construction of recreation piers.
- ・ Opening of commuter routes.
■ Inquiries
- Planning Section, Port Planning and Construction Division, Bureau of Port and Harbor
（Tel.） 03-5320-5613
（Mail Address） S0000524@section.metro.tokyo.jp
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