STUDY ON THE PROGRESS AND PLANNING OF SHUTOKO EXPRESSWAY OVER THE NIHONBASHI RIVER

Abstract

 The Nihonbashi River is a branch of the Kanda River which is classified as a Class A river managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games was an opportunity to advance the construction of the Shutoko (Metropolitan) Expressway over the Nihonbashi River and the Nihonbashi Bridge. The Nihonbashi and Otemachi areas are currently undergoing redevelopment projects in preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
 To redevelop and improve the Nihonbashi River environment, a section of the Shutoko Expressway is planned to be relocated underground. Integration with the large scale private developments in the National Strategic Special Zones is being sought, based on Special Urban Reconstruction Law.
 This paper investigates the design philosophy for river control concerning the plans for the Shutoko Expressway construction over the Nihonbashi River at the time of the 1964 Olympic Games. Furthermore, this paper provides an overview of the differences in the urban river environment policies between 1964 and the present time.