What is the background behind the relaxation of height regulations in front of Kyoto Station? Up to 45 meters on the south side

The building height regulations set by Kyoto City to preserve the landscape will be relaxed from the current 31 meters to 45 meters in the area south of JR Kyoto Station by the end of this year. The city's mitigation plan was approved at the City Planning Council meeting held on the 6th. The aim is to encourage redevelopment around the station, revitalize the economy, and stem the outflow of population.

In Kyoto, city planning is based on the idea of ​​reducing the height of buildings in order to preserve the historic landscape. Currently, upper limits are set for each region, with six levels ranging from 10 to 31 meters.

However, partial relaxation has been implemented depending on the circumstances. The Kyoto Station Building (approximately 60 meters), which opened in 1997, is subject to the ``Specified Block'' exemption from the regulations. The height on the south side of Kyoto Station was also 20 to 25 meters, but in 2023 the height was increased to 31 meters along the main street.

There are strong voices in the business community for further easing. There are fewer rental offices around Kyoto Station than other major Shinkansen stations, and some point out that the lack of office space is leading to a population outflow. There are many old buildings that are nearing the time of renewal, and the city believes that the relaxation will increase the momentum for redevelopment.

The reduction to 45 meters will be applied after notification by the city. The site can be built in an area sandwiched between Aburanokoji-dori and Kawaramachi-dori on the south side of the station, as long as the site area is at least 500 square meters, more than half of the floor space is occupied by offices or research facilities that are flexible and approved by the city, and the first floor facing the main road is a lively space such as a commercial facility or art museum.

In April of this year, a council of experts set up by the city submitted a written opinion recommending that the water pressure be relaxed to 45 meters on the south side of the station and to a maximum of 60 meters on the north side of the station. This time, the north side was not included in the proposal to the City Planning Council, and the south side was given priority.

When the Kyoto Station building was constructed, there were opposition movements by citizen groups and the Kyoto Buddhist Association. Mayor Koji Matsui says, ``The scenery on the north side of the station has not changed for decades. We will spend time discussing how the entire space should be, including reorganizing the bus terminal and how to control the flow of people.''