Abstract
Loop expressways [ex. The National Capital Region Central Loop Road, the Outer Loop Road, the Central Loop Road] and Loop lines of railways [ex. Yamanote Line, Oedo Line etc.] have been increasing facilities for urban communications. However, the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (Jan.1995) and the USA Terror Disaster(Sept. 2001) have recalled Japanese people to the importance of counter measures for urban emergent disasters. From the viewpoints of above disasters as well as of urban environment amenity and culture. This paper proposes Revaluation of Water Routes, particularly in a loop line [RiverLoop] in the heart of Tokyo Metropolitan Region, of which the population is about 25% of the nation, and Construction of Traffic Nodes to link Water Routes to Railways and Roads including expressways. This proposal is based on considering the history of water-borne traffic in the Edo period.
