Reappropriation of Modern Ruins as a Symbol of Urban Renovation. Japan as a Study Case

Reappropriation*of*Modern*Ruins*as*a*Symbol*of*Urban*Renovation.*Japan*as*a*Study*Case*Re:Appropriating*the*City.*TAW,*Polis*Universiteti,*Tirana,*10th*october*2012*

Federico*Scaroni

*1) Nostalgia)as)a)way)to)the)Preservation.)Early*Romantic)period)saw)melancholia)and)nostalgia)as)the)

leading)engines)for)the)ruins)exploration.*The*study*and*the*symbolic*reappropriation*of*ancient*decadent*buildings*were*necessary*for*the*regaining*of*the*National*European*spirits,*but*also*for*offering)a)clear)love)involvement)for)a)too)far)past.*

2) In*the*West,*the)worship) for) ruins)has)changed)subjects) from)symbolic)buildings)as)churches,) temples)and)fortifications)to)the)modern)and)contemporary)cathedrals)of)Society:*the*industrial*age*in*Europe,*in*the* United* States.* Abandoned* car* factories* in* Detroit;* furnaces* of* former* steelworks* in* the* West*Germany,*now*part*of*public*parks.*)

3) Study* of* those* modern* ruins* is* the* continuation* of* the* Romantic* spirit* that* pushed* our* ancestors* to*admire*the*great*relics*of*the*past.*The)aim)of)the)following)investigation)is)to)analyse)how)the)worship)for) those)modern) ruins)can)bring) them)once)again) to)be)physic)and)symbolic)part)of) the) living)urban)environment.*

4) Again,*the*desire*for*the*contemplation*of*the*modern*ruins*and*its*parallel,*the*need*for*their*Reuse,*are*the* two* poles* in* which* a* big* part* of* the* preservation* debate* still* stands* on.*We) can) state) that) the)continuous)search)for)a)physical)memory)to)be)worshipped) is)also)symbolic)of) the)ageing)of)Western)Societies.*Ageing* is* surely*one*of* the* reasons* for* the* late* increase*of* the*Ruins* tourism,*as*well* for* the*intensification*of*the*Renovation*of*modern*architecture.*Renovation)and)Ruins)tourism)are)two)of)the)faces)of)the)Reappropriation)of)the)urban)spaces.)Rome,)as)exemplified)by)Giovanni)Battista)Piranesi,*has*been*one*of*the*big*starting*points*for*the*developing*of*these*two*ideas*of*Urban*Reappropriation,*in*particular*in*the*period*between*the*18th*and*the*early*20th*Century,*when*the*city*was*both*at*the*center*of*most*of*Italian'Grand'Tours*and*attending*at*the*permanent*metamorphosis*of*its*own*built*patrimony.*Renovation) and) Reappropriation) are) similarly) symptomatic) of) the) creeping) economic) crisis) that)threatens) the)Western)World) since) many) years.* Urban* decayed* areas,* with* their*modern* ruins* have*become*the*scenario)for)newer)artistic)productions*and*a*laboratory*for*the*reconnection*with*the*living*city:*an*active*cultural*Reappropriation,*before*any*physical*one.*

5) Restoration)and)Renovation)as) crises) symptoms)of)Western) Society.)Renovation*and*the*Reuse*of*old*and*ruined*architecture,*part*of*a*longer*tradition*that*dates*to*the*European*medieval*period,*has*spread*out* by* the* Eighties* of* the* 20th* Century,* with* impressive* results* like* the*MAXXI* in* Rome* and* the* Tate*Modern*in*London.*)

6) Those*results*are*sometimes*respectful*of*the*meanings*and*the*purposes*of*the*original*constructions,*some*other*times*bringer*of*new*connotations*and*maybe*a*new*life.*Renovation)is)always)a)compromise)between)the)need)of)the)preservation)of)urban)memory)and)the)necessity)of)a)newest)and)better)standard)of)life.)Renovation*is*part*of*the*same*process*that*once*brought*to*the*contemplation*of*ruins,*but*at*same*time*is*it’s*full*and*final*betrayal;*John*Ruskin’s*ideas*betrayal,*somehow.*The) approach) to) the) preservation) from) other) points) of) view.) Simplifying,* we* can* define* the* stone*civilizations*as*bringer*of*a*similar*attitude*between*each*other,*a*methodology*that*leads*to*one*or*more*of*the*approaches*listed*above.*

Renovation)as)a)new)issue)for)Japanese)cities?)since*the*opening*to*modernization*after*1868,*Japan*started*a* fast*path*for*the*acquisition*of*preservation* instruments*of* its*own*cultural*and*urban*heritage.*Between*1973* and* 1990,* Japan* began* to* recognize*modern* buildings* and* industrial* abandoned* areas* as* a* cultural*heritage,* enlisting* some* of* these* complexes* in* the* preservation* lists* (Agency* for* Cultural* Affairs* of* Japan,*2011).*7) The*acknowledgment*of*modern*buildings*heritage*was*a*remarkable*step*for*Japan,*followed*by*an*

increased*interest*for*the*renovation*and*transformation*of*the*constructions*that*couldn't*be*saved*from*

the*continuous*increase*of*land*value*in*the*Bubble*economy*period.*The)entire)operation)of)renovation)of)Marunouchi)area*in*central*Tokyo*is*basically*the*result*of*the*compromise*between*the*biggest*land*speculation*investment*of*the*Bubble*period*and*the*will*of*preserving*some*of*the*most*important*modern*buildings*of*Japanese*history.**

8) The*DN)Tower)21,*complex*of*1938,*after*having*survived*the*bombing*and*been*the*seat*of*General*Mac*Arthur*government,**

9) has*been*demolished*in*1989*to*be*rebuilt*with*an*additional*Tower*in*1995.**10) The*seat*of*the*Club)of)Industrialists,*1920's*brick*building*was*partially*demolished,*and*rebuilt*and*

reinforced*in*the*years*between*2000*and*2003*in*a*project*that*included*a*renovation*with*a*steel*and*glass*Tower.**

11) The*Mitsui*complex,*made*in*its*present*shape*in*1930*and*protected*as*an*important*cultural*asset*in*1997,*has*been*the*subject*of*a*ground*speculation*which*led,*between*2002*and*2005,*to*the*building*of*a*skyscraper*in*a*contiguous*lot,*the*Nihombashi*Mitsui,*which*has*however*allowed*the*rescue*of*most*of*the*historic*building.*

12) The*debate)on)renovation*and*transformation*in*Japan,*born)only)after)the)failing)of)the)80’s)bubble)economy,*is*still*in*its*full*bloom*with*the*peculiar*characteristic,*in*contraposition*with*what*is*happening*in*Western*Countries,*of*the*almost*total*theoretic*contribution*absence.*Every)single)example)carried)on)in)last)years)brings)a)new)brick)in)the)construction)of)a)full)patrimony)of)experiences,)still)without)mostly)stating)any)theoretical)issue*except*for*historical*studies*of*Prof.)Hiroyuki)Suzuki*and*in*a*more*comprehensive*way*the*research*of*Fiber)City)Tokyo)2050,*bringer*of*theories*on*the*urban*texture*Reconnection*related*to*the*necessity*of*a*total*rethinking*on*the*city*expansion.*

13) The)role)of)Impermanence)in)Japanese)approach)to)historic)remnants.)Japanese*culture*and*approach*to*the*built*environment*have*always*followed*three)main*guidelines*through)the)lessons)of)Shinto,*the*native*ancient*religion,*Buddhist)cycle)of)life*in*all*its*local*variations*and*the*coexistence)with)one)of)the)most)instable*and*difficult*natural*environment*in*temperate*climate*areas.*This*combination*of*factors*brought*to*one*of*the*most*peculiar*and*coherent*element*of*Japanese*culture:*impermanence*(mujō)*is*the*backbone*on*which*most*of*Japanese*civilization*evolved*and*still*today*is*a*central*element*of*people*existence.*Japanese*architectural*culture*is*a*wooden*one,*and*wood*is*the*perfect*material*for*materializing*impermanence.*A*well:known*practice*concerning*Japanese*religious*architecture*is*the)Shinto)ritual)shrine)reconstruction)every)twenty)years.*Buddhist*temples*are*subdued*to*a*more*traditional*restoration*when*needed,*but)their)physical)end)and)substitution)is)just)one)of)their)accepted)destiny.*Still*now,*the*average*life*age*of*residential*buildings*is*approximately*twenty*years*and*usually*newer*constructions*replace*the*old*ones*offering*a*continuous*regeneration*of*the*city*landscape.*

14) Anyway* something* has* changed* in* the* last* years.* Physical* reuse* and* reconversion* of* the* built*architecture*is*not*the*only*recent*topic*brought*on*in*Japanese*contemporary*Renovation*debate.*Haikyo)(abandoned*place* in* Japanese* language)* is*basically* the*exploration*of*urban*and*suburban*ruins*but* in*Japan*this*kind*of*research*has*recently*become*massive*matter*of*discussion*with*entire*filled*up*shelves*of* related* publications* in* common* bookshops.* Since) the) rediscovery) of) the) abandoned)mining) island)Hashima*(or*Gunkanjima,*near*Nagasaki)*in*the*late*Nineties,*Japanese*scholars*started*to*explore*deeply*the*territory*in*search*for*missing*parts*of*their*architectural*history.)*

15) Most*of*these*facilities*have*been*regained*by*nature*but*still*stand*as*a*manifesto*of*the*ruined*economy*of*the*country.*Private*and*public*authorities*are*not*interested*or*they*lack*of*funds*for*the*reconversion*or*even*demolition*of*these*complexes.*

16) The)meaning)of)this)research)is)not)only)the)symbolic)reappropriation)of)those)lost)fragments)of)the)shared)urban)memory)but)also)the)symptom)of)a)strong)change)in)Japanese)people)mind)attitude*respect*to*their*20th*Century*architectural*heritage.*

17) The*new*attitude*to*study*or*simply*contemplate*these*remnants*is)significant)in)a)country)that)for)millennia) proceeded) to) the) constant) reconstruction) or) demolition) of) its) own) heritage.* And* sure* this*attitude* is) another) side) of) the) same) spirit) that) brought) to) the) salvation,) via) Renovation,) Reuse) and)

Transformation,) of) the) endangered) assets.*Contemplation) of) ruins) it) is) indeed) a)way) to) reuse) these)remnants)as)a)physical)memory,)both)tangible)and)intangible.**

18) Through*the*many*publications,*TV*programs*and*Internet*diffusion*the)modern)ruins)are)living)a)second)life)becoming)once)again)part)of)the)common)built)heritage)and)at)the)same)time)guardians)of)the)collective)consciousness.*

19) Most*of*these*ruins*are*a*direct*result*of*the*exploding*of*the*bubble*economy*of*the*Nineties*that*emptied*mining*towns,*museums,*amusement*parks,*hotels*and*resorts.**

20) Ruins*contemplation*in*Japan*is*perhaps*not*a*direct*son*of*Western*Romantic*spirit*of*Ruins*Tourism.*It*is*probably*another*characteristic*of*the*Japanese*attitude*to*all*that*is*impermanent,*with*the*difference*that*Haikyo*have*never*been*part*of*Japanese*cultural*background;*at*least*not*in*the*shape*they*are*shown*today.*They*were*not*intended*to*be*transitory*but*they*became*so.*

21) Impermanence*is*still*part*of*Japanese*psyche.*Searching)for)and)feeling)impermanence)is)a)strong)part)of)Japanese)esthetic)behavior.*Some*of*the*most*popular*traditional*activities*during*the*year*include*the*contemplation*of*the*falling*plum*trees*leaves,*the*Hanami)or)the)enjoyment)of)the)red)leaves)of)maples,)the)Momojiri.*Both*these*two*traditions*come*from*the*need*of*regaining*a*contact*with*nature*every*year.*The)search)for)Haikyo)is)basically)going)in)the)same)direction,)with)the)strong)difference)that)everybody)can)see)ruins)for)a)much)longer)time,)making)them)part)again)of)the)urban)and)rural)landscape)with)a)process)of)memory)Reappropriation.*Differently*from*the*Western*world,*where*we*started*to*see*the*physical*Reappropriation*of*modern*ruins*through*artistic*contribution*and*a*stable*cultural*debate,*in*Japan*the*Haikyo*are*still*a*wonder*to*be*contemplated*but*with*a*more*far*deferent*respect.*The*feeling*of*nostalgia*for*ruins*easily*merges*with*other*two*Japanese*cultural*peculiarities*—*the*Sabi,)the)aesthetic)of)old)age,)loneliness)and)tranquility*and*the*Mono0no0Aware,)a)strong)but)gentle)sensitivity)to)ephemera.*For*Japanese)point)of)view,)perceiving)the)abandoned)spaces)of)Haikyo)as)related)to)the)Mono)no)Aware)is)a)first)important)step)to)the)recognizing)of)the)role)that)ruins)have)gained)in)the)landscape*of*the*country*and)also)in)the)collective)memory.*For*this*reason,*recognizing)the)state)of)Mono)no)Aware)in)a)haikyo)structure)is)more)important)than)its)state)of)decay.)Its)spirit)is)no)related)to)the)state)of)preservation.)

22) In*a*period*of*hard*and*enduring*crisis*both*social*and*economic,*these)ruins)help)to)fill)up)the)gaps)of)recent)collective)Japanese)history)and)at)the)same)time)they)create)bridges)to)reach)back)again)urban)areas)now)totally)abandoned*and*separated*from*the*evolution*of*the*rest*of*the*country.*These*lost*complexes*are*only*rarely*officially*designated*as*cultural*assets*and*still*the*worship*for*them*is*mostly*shown*through*books,*magazines*and*websites,*with*little*attention*coming*from*the*academic*research.*The*general*interest,*however,*is*growing*up*so*fast*that*Gunkanjima*has*been*proposed*in*2009*as*candidate*for*being*inserted*in*UNESCO*World*Heritage*List.*Most*of*the*others*haikyo*are*left*to*the*abandonment*and*the*pure*worshipping*of*scholars*and*Ruin*tourists.*Nature)is)growing)up)inside,)demonstrating)once)again)that)the)natural)cycle)of)lives,)death)and)rebirth,)heart)of)Buddhist)religion,)still)plays)an)important)part)in)the)Land)of)Impermanence.)Pure*contemplation*is*probably*the*most*authentic*approach*for*the*Reappropriation*of*these*Modern*Ruins*by*Japanese*society,*but*contemplation*alone*is*probably*just*the*starting*point*of*a*new*and*original*attitude*towards*these*useless*and*fundamental*pieces*of*Japanese*contemporary*urban*history.**

Reappropria(on*of*Modern*Ruins*as*a*symbol*of*Urban*Renova(on.**Japan*as*a*study*case.**Federico*Scaroni**

Re<Appropria(ng*the*City*TAW,*Polis*Universite(,*Tirana,*10th*october*2012*

*

C.D.*Friedrich,*1810,*Abtei*im*Eichwald.**

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*

Latz+Partn.,*1991,*Duisburg*Nord*Park,*D.*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Abandoned*from*1985*to*1991.*

Miru*Kim,*New*York*abandoned*factory,*(from*Naked*City*Spleen,*2008)*


G.B.*Piranesi,*1756,*Por(co*d’O]avia*ruins,*Rome.**


Zaha*Hadid,*1999,*MAXXI*museum.*Renova(on*of*former*Montello*barracks,*Rome.*(Pic.*2008)*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Abandoned*from*1960’s*to*1998.*

Herzog*&*DeMeuron,*2000,*Tate*modern.*Renova(on*of*former*Bankside*Powersta(on,*London.*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Abandoned*from*1952*to*1981.*

Tokyo*sta(on*renova(on,*2008,*Tokyo,*JP.*(Pic.*Ookaboo,*2009)*


DN*Tower*21*renova(on,*1995,*built*in*1938,*Tokyo,*JP.*(Pic.*Ito*T.,*2009)*


Mitsubishi*Industrial*Club*renova(on,*2003,*built*in*1920,*Tokyo,*JP.*(Pic.*Ito*T.,*2009)*


H.*Ohno,*Fiber*City*Tokyo*2050,*2006.*(Pic.*From*JA,*63/10)*


U.*Toyokuni,*Scene*from*the*Tale*of*Genji,*1853.*


View,*Gunkanjima*(Hashima)*Island,*Nagasaki*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*K.Nabuchi,*2011)*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Abandoned*since**1974.*

Block*65,*Gunkanjima*(Hashima)*Island,*Nagasaki*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*J.Theiller,*2010)*


K.*Kurokawa,*Nakagin*Capsule*Tower,*1972,*Tokyo,*JP.*(Pic.*2010)*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Almost*abandoned.*

Y.*Watanabe,*New*Sky*Building,*1972,*Tokyo,*JP.*(Pic.*J.Theiller,*2010)*

Reappropria(on*of*modern*ruins*as*a*symbol*of*urban*renova(on*******************Federico*Scaroni*Almost*Abandoned.*

Gulliver*Theme*Park,*1997,*Gunma*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*M.*J.*Grist,*2007)*


Russian*Theme*Park,*2002,*Niigata*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*M.*J.*Grist,*2012)*


Pier,*Gunkanjima*(Hashima)*Island,*Nagasaki*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*DIGIK7,*2011)*


Volcano*Museum,*Gunma*Prefecture,*JP.*(Pic.*M.*J.*Grist,*2009)*


Thank*you*for*your*a]en(on.*


Reappropriation of Modern Ruins as a Symbol of Urban Renovation. Japan as a Study Case

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