Commitment 06Read more
Port Culture and Identity
Local port identity as a key asset for building a lasting relationship
Integrating spaces and functions open to residents and visitors alike into port facilities, enhancing the visibility of the port and its activities.
How can the city be integrated with the port and its activities, allowing for citizen access as well?
Passenger terminals may be constructed entirely from scratch or created by redeveloping existing port buildings previously used for other purposes. Moreover, the quality of links between passenger terminals and the city is crucial for promoting tourism and generating added value. A project that allows locals to connect with maritime activities enhances the feeling of belonging and helps to showcase the port. A way of doing this is opening parts of the building to the public and making them easily accessible. In Yokohama, two cruise terminals serve as an example of connectivity between public and private spaces, with the creation of a new square and preservation of heritage.
This good practice also includes objective 8.3 (Developing public spaces and recreational or cultural amenities in Port City interface zones to create an appealing new area) of the AIVP’s 2030 Agenda.
Located on the oldest pier of Yokohama, the Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal opened in 2002 and was designed by Foreign Office Architects (FOA) as a key component of the urban fabric. The idea of emphasising the ships made the architects distribute the spatial programs on three floors to keep a low height and not disturb the visual integrity of the waterfront. The lack of columns on the structure creates different usage possibilities for each level. On the first floor, there is a parking garage. On the second, it is possible to find the operational areas of the terminal, like immigration, ticketing, restaurants, and shops, as well as the administrative offices. The roof of the structure is dedicated to a public plaza. Open 24/7, the rooftop is described as a place for locals to relax while appreciating the arrival and departure of ships. With green spaces and a succession of ramps and wooden decks, the roof offers some of the best views of the city, the bay, and shipping. Its proximity to Yamashita and Akaranega Parks creates an urban parkscape and, together with its unusual forms, guarantees a visual continuity for the waterfront.
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