The IABSE Young Engineers Colloquium East Asia and Germany |
DESIGN COMPETITION
Introduction
Recently, in response to climate change and increased demand for green spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of green infrastructure has risen. Tokyo has launched the Tokyo Green Biz project to advance urban greening and biodiversity conservation, aiming to evolve into a sustainable city in harmony with nature. The competition calls for designs for a pedestrian bridge at a busy intersection in Tokyo, incorporating concepts of Green Infrastructure and Clean Energy. The goal is to enhance safe and comfortable pedestrian passage while providing a place of relaxation in the urban center.
Construction Site
The competition site is Shibuya Crossing, located northwest of JR Shibuya Station in Shibuya, Tokyo. Shibuya is a bustling district known for setting trends and is a popular spot for international tourists. The area around the station has undergone significant redevelopment, with numerous high-rise buildings, and development continues. Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest pedestrian areas, with over 1,000 people crossing during a single green light. It is renowned as the world's most famous crossing and the world's most congested crossing.
Picture 1: World's famous Shibuya crossing
location and its sky view
Eligibility for Participation
Participants should be under about 40 years of age and do not need to be a member of IABSE. The participants should attend the Presentations for Design Competition on 18th May 2025 and the Closing Ceremony with an award presentation on the same day. The maximum number of participants in one team is four. In this competition, competitors who form or join international groups may receive extra points. If you are interested in joining an international team but do not know anyone, please inform the committee of your interest. Note that an international team will have additional points
in the competition.
Design Conditions/Requirements :
- Bridge type: pedestrian bridge with garden
- Install support structures for the walkway (including stairs) at three locations, allowing pedestrians to move between them via a ring-shaped walkway.
Processed and created using national land infrastructure map information (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)
Figure 1: Design plan and requirements
· Live load: 5.0 kN/m²
· A=Diameter of void: 30 m≦A≦35 m
· B=Walkway width (≧5 m) + proposed value α ≦10 m, handrail height: 1.2 m
· C=Effective height: ≧6 m from the road surface to the bottom of the bridge
· D=Installation range of support structures: Diameter ≦15 m
· L=Center-to-center distance between support structures: L1=41.8m, L2=45.1, L3=48.6m
· Construction material: no restriction
· Foundations can be installed from the lower part of the support structure to the bottom of the stairs; ground condition: very good
· Other details are to be determined by engineers, provided they do not obstruct road traffic.
FYI: If competitors want to use map data, please search "GSI Map (https://www.gsi.go.jp/common/000223838.pdf
https://onestop.gsi.go.jp/onestopservice/navi/index.html)" and/or “Plateau (https://www.mlit.go.jp/plateau/about/)”.
Evaluation Items
Participants can select from the following Design Keywords at least six items and focus on those.
• Sustainability
• Green infrastructure
• Creativity
• Innovation
• Rationality
• Aesthetics
• Carbon neutral
• Clean energy
• Safety
• Comfortable
• Mobility
• Mixed Reality
• Construction method
Submission
Participants should submit a tw-page paper (A4 size) that introduces the title, team members, design concept, and main drawing or sketch.
Deadline of Submission
31st March, 2025
Presentation
· Participants are required to make a 10-minute presentation using PPT data for the Design Competition on 18th May 2025.
· Also, participants should prepare an A1-sized presentation panel to display in the presentation room.
Announcement of the Result
Prizes will be awarded to outstanding designs in the Closing Ceremony with an award presentation on the same day of 18th May.
Contacts
Dr. Yukari AOKI, Akita University, Akita Japan (secretariat of Design Competition)
Email: yaoki@gipc.akita-u.ac.jp