"Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Summer" opens on July 25th | NOMURA was responsible for the spatial concept design, construction, and operation

The largest-ever social experiment to examine the future shape and utilization of Marunouchi Nakadori

"Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Summer," organized by the Marunouchi Street Park 2024 Executive Committee (constituent organizations: Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho Area Management Association, Otemachi-Marunouchi-Yurakucho District Urban Development Council, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.), will be held on Marunouchi Nakadori Street for 25 days from July 25th (Thursday) to August 18th (Sunday). NOMURA is responsible for the spatial concept design, construction, and operation.

"Marunouchi Street Park" is a social experiment that began in 2019 to verify the future form and utilization of Marunouchi Nakadori, an initiative that contributes to "walkable urban development" by proactively utilizing the road space of Marunouchi Nakadori and creating a space for people to stay. This year marks the 11th time the experiment has been held, and the scope of the experiment has been significantly expanded from the previous three blocks (approximately 300m) to five blocks (approximately 500m) of downtown road space, with 24-hour traffic restrictions in place and the space transformed into a plaza/park.

Main areas covered by our company
The theme of this year's "Marunouchi Street Park" is "i - ma - i." The design blurs the boundaries between sidewalks and roadways, indoors and outdoors, streets and squares, the everyday and the extraordinary, and the self and others, concept design a space where everything can intermingle and coexist. Content will be developed that allows for relaxed interaction, with an awareness of the "ma" space that exists between people. There will also be a picnic area with a large lawn, and visitors can experience a variety of activities*, including music, sports, and wellness.

*During the event, there will be special events in collaboration with Taiso Nippon and limited-time sustainability-conscious initiatives. For more information,Here.

Block 2 (in front of Marunouchi 2-chome Building and Marunouchi Nakadori Building)
Long tables will be installed that make use of the straight lines of Marunouchi Nakadori Street, and bench counters will be installed that make use of the pedestrian and roadway areas. A space will be created where visitors can spend their time in different ways, whether that be working, having lunch, or chatting with friends. Benches made from rented wood will be installed, and after the event ends, they will leave Marunouchi Nakadori Street and be reused as various products, in line with the SDGs initiative.

Block 3 (in front of Marunouchi Park Building and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Building)
Picnic sets (picnic sheets, lights, etc.) will be available for free rental, making it a space where you can enjoy a picnic in the middle of the office district. In the evenings on weekdays, there will be events to refresh both body and mind, such as stretching classes on the lawn, to promote health.

*There is no need to make a reservation in advance or prepare anything for the stretching class.

Block 4 (in front of Shin Tokyo Building and Marunouchi Nijubashi Building)
Bench tables have been installed utilizing the vehicle stop poles on the street. The boundary between the pedestrian and road has been blurred to create a space where people can relax beneath the fresh greenery. concept design was conscious of creating a plaza-like space and was made to blend in with the 21m wide road of Marunouchi Nakadori.

Project Contact
This time, we are once again working on some concept design experiments. One of them is how to create a personal space between people, or "ma" (space between people), in a street space that is comfortable for each visitor, just like in a park. Personal space differs depending on culture, personal sensibilities, and the relationship with the person you are facing. For example, by gradually changing the depth of one long table, we have increased the options for face-to-face distance. We hope that you will find your favorite space in Marunouchi, where diverse people gather.
Our company will once again be providing comprehensive support for the operation of the event, and will strive to provide a space where visitors can feel safe and enjoy themselves during the event.