Tag: tokyo

urban complexity

Fractal Order: Organic Cities vs Mechanical Cities

Fractal-like networks effectively endow life with an additional fourth spatial dimension. This is the origin of quarter-power scaling that is so pervasive in biology. Organisms have evolved hierarchical branching networks that terminate in size-invariant units, such as capillaries […] Natural selection has tended to maximize both metabolic capacity, by maximizing the scaling of exchange surface areas, and internal efficiency, by minimizing the scaling of transport distances … Continue reading Fractal Order: Organic Cities vs Mechanical Cities

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sky level

Tokyo Photo Tour: Ebisu Skywalk (恵比寿スカイウォーク) from Ebisu Garden Place

Have you ever wondered why moving sidewalks are confined to airports?  Why aren’t there any moving sidewalks leading to the train station? In Ebisu, there are. This tour starts in spectacular Ebisu Garden Place, spins around a bit to take in the view, and then proceeds north along the Ebisu Skywalk to Ebisu Station (JR Yamanote). If we back up about 250 feet, we see this: … Continue reading Tokyo Photo Tour: Ebisu Skywalk (恵比寿スカイウォーク) from Ebisu Garden Place

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tokyo

Quick View – Denen Chofu 田園調布

Denen Chofu is a planned development located 16 minutes south west of Shibuya Station (on Tokyu train -東急東横線).  It is said to be inspired by “garden city” developments such as those around London.  However, the urban structure of the neighborhood seems basically similar to modern Tokyo, with the notable irregularity that the number of shops and businesses is much lower. South East Denen Chofu . . . … Continue reading Quick View – Denen Chofu 田園調布

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sky level, tokyo

Roppongi Hills – 洋風 or 和風？

Have you ever heard somebody confuse the words “modern” and “western”?  It’s a very unsettling experience.  Perhaps because it seems to come not from any maliciousness or intentionality  per se, but from a deeply subconscious assumption that anything cutting edge must be western in origin. Deconstructing the Discourse of Westernization Superficially, the steel and glass structure of Mori Tower contrasts with the wooden construction techniques of traditional … Continue reading Roppongi Hills – 洋風 or 和風？

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tokyo

In Tokyo, the Pedestrian is King

[Lessons on Japanese Urbanism from French Slow TV] At 0:27  Note the very well marked scramble crossing (c.f. the arrogance of space). Lesson 1: zebra stripes can never be too wide. From 1:00 to 1:59  Note the total absence of vehicular traffic.  The numerous parked cars and bikes make clear that this is not a depopulated area. Lesson 2: its possible to build an urban street … Continue reading In Tokyo, the Pedestrian is King

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