| Narration:
Here are some buildings you may have seen in Fukuoka City.
They all feature creative design. And as a matter of fact,
they are all winners of the Urban Beautification Award..
Reporter: Why do we give out award
to these buildings? Well, they hold the secret to creating
beautiful landscapes in Fukuoka..
Reporter:
So what exactly are the Urban Beautification Awards?
City Personnel:
Fukuoka City enacted the Fukuoka City Urban Landscape Ordinance
in 1987, with the aim of creating and maintaining attractive
and unique cityscapes. And in the same year, the Urban Beautification
Awards were founded to honor those who made a contribution
to creating beautiful landscapes, and to raise the citizens’
awareness about attractive landscapes.
Narration:
The Urban Beautification Awards review buildings or sites
within Fukuoka City that contribute to making the scenery
unique and attractive. The buildings or sites should also
offer scenic harmony by complementing the surrounding environment
and the cityscape.
Narration:
Since their foundation, the Urban Beautification Awards
have recognized more than 150 modern buildings and monuments,
old cityscapes, and local activities.
Reporter:
This building is one of the winners of this year's 21st
Urban Beautification Award. The concrete facade is very
stylish. Could you have guessed that this is a garage for
a volunteer fire group?
Reporter:
What's the focus of its design?
Architect:
I used the name of this area, "Naka," as its focal
point and carved it into the wall. I wanted the building
to become rooted in the local community while serving as
a hub for disaster prevention.
Local
Resident: It's very stylish and definitely
an eye-catcher. People can remember its location easily.
Reporter:
Here's another award winner, a private residence located
in Katae, Jonan-ku.
Reporter:
This modern house is in beautiful harmony with the adjacent
100-year old, white-walled kura (storehouse ).
Narration:
So did you want to showcase the kura when rebuilding your
house?
Owner: I wanted
a bright, spacious, barrier-free house that went well with
the old kura. I asked my son, who is an architect, to design
a house that would complement it.
Owner: I'm
very happy that it's contributing to enhancing the townscape.
I hope people in the neighborhood will think fondly of it.
Narration:
Fukuoka has long flourished as a gateway for exchange with
the Asian continent. Old buildings and streetscapes are
remnants of its history.
Narration:
The Urban Beautification Awards aren’t the only project
Fukuoka has undertaken to create a beautiful cityscape.
For example, the Gokusho area has been designated as an
Urban Landscape Development Zone, together with Seaside
Momochi, and has certain standards regarding the construction
and design of buildings and outdoor advertisements. The
landscape and characteristics unique to this area are taken
into consideration for town planning.
City Personnel:
A city is constantly changing. But focusing solely on development
is not what we want. It is important that citizens also
take part in thinking about balancing the old and the new.
.
Reporter:
What do you think of Fukuoka's cityscape?
Citizen
A: Fukuoka is close to the ocean
and the mountains. It has both the bustling downtown area
and the countryside. I think Fukuoka's attraction as a city,
is its versatility.
Citizen
B: When I return to Fukuoka after
visiting other cities like Tokyo, I realize how uncluttered
and comfortable Fukuoka is..
Citizen
C: Where I live now has a lot of
trees, and high-rise buildings are restricted. I feel lucky
to be living in such a great neighborhood with wonderful
views.
Reporter:
The view from Aburayama is one of my favorites. There are
sure to be many attractive sites in your neighborhood as
well. Why not take a trip in search of your favorite cityscape?
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