Confirmation and Review of the “Explanation of the Plan for Osaka” by Hanroku Yamaguchi(part 2)： Watercourse, Park, and Harbor Railroad Station Etc.

Abstract

Hanroku Yamaguchi's "Plan for Osaka" is known to be a pioneering example of Japanese planning. This is the second in a series of papers confirming the contents of the accompanying text to Yamaguchi's plan, "Explanation of the Plan for Osaka". Part two deals Yamaguchi's plan for the watercourse, park, harbor railroad station and an alternative plan for the main (first class) street. We point out that the watercourse plan typically reflects Yamaguchi's concept of industrial development, and plans for the harbor railroad station and street alteration show a tight connection between Yamaguchi's plan and the Osaka Harbor Construction Plan.

Impact of Hanroku Yamaguchi's Plan for Ōsaka, 1899 on the urbanization of the Ōsaka Port Reclaimed Area

“…In 1897, 2 years after the first city area expansion, Yamaguchi drew up the Plan for Ōsaka, 1899. The detailed description (Figure 1) of the Explanation for this plan is given in the previous studies 11–13 . The design standards which directly relate to the urban area design are discussed in Chapter 1: Street Design and Chapter 6: Quarter Naming, Lot Numbering, Backstreets, Alleys, and others.…”

“…Recent research has accurately clarified the entire contents of the Explanation of the Plan for Ōsaka 9 (hereinafter the “Explanation”) which explains the details of this plan, pointing out the features of the plan's contents, ranging from Gairo (Street Design) to Chōmei, Banchi, Uramichi, Kōji, Tou (Quarter Naming, Lot Numbering, Backstreets, Alleys, and others, hereinafter referred to as “urban area design”). It also highlights Yamaguchi's learning experience in Europe and the plan's strong linkage with the Ōsaka Port Construction Project 11–14 . In consideration of these new findings, it is necessary to review the impact of the Plan for Ōsaka 1899 on subsequent urbanization, and to reconsider its significance as an urban planning proposal.…”