Urban Gapscapes: Problems and Opportunities in Urban Design Analysis of Gapspaces Originated by Elevated Railways

Abstract

This article analyzes the use of elevated urban railways as a contemporary urban development, evaluating such with respect to the problem of permanent barrier effects inside the city created by depressed or embankment railway typologies. Elevated urban railways are examined through discussion of approaches employed in both western and Japanese cities. An analysis of the types of urban interaction formed by Tokyo’s JR Yamanote line, by means of site photographs and schematic rail-section representations at some of its elevated areas, demonstrates how the use of land under this line - gapspaces - generates diverse dynamic interactions with the city. In conclusion, the author argues that this potential in elevated railways can be an urban tool to induce or reduce urban barrier effects and enhance and support interactivity when such is desirable. © 2004, Architectural Institute of Japan. All rights reserved.