2016 Volume 14 Pages 13-16
The transformation of the Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho District during its recent large scale redevelopment has also witnessed a steady rise in cultural consumption. Drawing upon conditions for the realization of Hannigan’s (1998) ‘Fantasy City,’ this study identifies two enclaves of ‘heritization’ and ‘pedestrianization,’ and it examines the role played by cultural consumption in each district's spatial transformation. In the former enclave, cultural consumption has grown through the showcasing of local history, and in the latter, it has given rise to a more cosmopolitan space familiar to cities worldwide. Further study of the actors involved and of the relevant political and economic factors is needed to better understand the dynamic relationship between cultural consumption and urban transformation.
