Architectural Research Addressing Sociatal Challenges. Proceedings of the 10th EAAE/ARCC International Conference, Lisbon 2016. Volume two. Emerging Fields of Architectural Practice. Japan, from modernity to today. Top-down and bottom-up approaches in Tokyo's recent urban redevelopment projects.

In the last thirty years, Tokyo went through consistent re-development projects. In big top-down plans, new visions were explored and created. But, nothing was done in order to keep or to enhance local identity and lifestyle. Case studies, such as Roppongi Hills, Tokyo MidTown and OMY analyze the top-down approach for the creation of high-dense urban settlements, with mix-use of functions in “vertical cities”. In Tokyo, some other areas have been testifying a slower re-development, which happened piece-by-piece in fragmented and traditional urban fabrics, where a strong sense of identity is felt by citizen. Areas such as Komagome, Ura-Harajuku, Shimokitazawa show up the strength and characteristics of the bottom-up approach. Nevertheless, in order to avoid banal building speculation in gentrified areas new models for re-developments are needed. Otherwise, the lost is enormous: from the identity of place to the social encounters and structures, to the traditional liveliness and vitality in different parts of the city.