Underground Transit Infrastructure Linked Urban Development in the Toranomon Hills

Tokyo’s underground rail system is used by approximately 10 million people every day (2018) and is one of the few underground transit cities in the world. The large number of daily passengers is apparent when compared with New York at 5.6 million (2014) and Paris at 4.2 million (2011). In central Tokyo, rail transit accounts for 50% of all means of transportation. Compact cities centered on a station and human centered, walkable cities are promoted as policies of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, with urban development linked to stations, bus terminals, and other transport infrastructure becoming increasingly important. Linking urban developments to transit infrastructure is challenging given that urban developers and transit operators are often separate entities with different development periods. Recently however urban developments linked to transit infrastructure have been advancing in the areas around Tokyo Station, Shibuya, and Toranomon. This paper addresses the significance and challenges of urban developments integrated with underground rail and infrastructure beginning with an exposition of the Toranomon Hills Station and Toranomon Hills Station Tower urban redevelopment projects in the Toranomon area.