As part of the activities of the "Sasahatahatsu Machi Lab (*)" that makes the area around Sasazuka-Hatagaya-Hatsudai Station more attractive, the Marche with the theme of "agriculture" set in the Tamagawa Josui old waterway green road 388FARMβ (Sasahatahatsu Farm Beta) ”was held. About this experimental effort to create an attractive public space together while involving the local people, Mr. Hayashi of commons fun who is a park maintenance advisor and area management coordinator in Shibuya Ward and Shibuya Ward town development We interviewed Mr. Yuya Mashiba of the Promotion Department, Town Development Section 1.
* Sasahatahatsu Machi Lab: An organization that makes the area around Sasazuka-Hatagaya-Hatsudai Station attractive to all people involved in the area. Established jointly by Shibuya Ward, Keio Electric Railway, and Future Design Shibuya in 2020. sasahatahatsu.jp
A green road that is rooted in the community, connects with people, and creates
——What kind of green road do you want this (Tamakawa Josui Old Waterway Green Road) to be from now on for future redevelopment?
Hayashi: I hope that the green road will not just be clean, but that it will be a place where communities can be nurtured and where everyone in the community can be their own, that is, a "green road that is loved by the community and proud of the world."
The city of Shibuya is currently undergoing redevelopment, but I think the challenge that comes up after that is to make more meaningful use of open spaces and public spaces.
In order for such a place to be really interesting, it is not enough to do our best only in the ward that manages it, and I think it is important to create a place for everyone while mixing with the local people.
——The flashiness of large-scale redevelopment means that more grassroots activities will be needed in the future.
Hayashi: This green road initiative is also rooted in the community, so as we continue, more and more people are involved in the initiative.
If it is a redevelopment of a private site, things can be done only by the will of the limited parties on the site, but in the case of such a public space, there are local people around and there are shops. , There is a school ..., I need to work with you all.
I think that the role of the staff of the ward office and the "Sasahatahatsu Machi Lab", which is a regional coordinating organization, is important as an entity that coordinates this well.
Workshops, Marches, chats and tea parties
Creating a “low hurdle” community
—— Today's Marche is very busy.
Hayashi This "388 FARM β" is an initiative to create a place where various people can easily participate and create a new culture of green roads together. Therefore, this is not a local festival, but an image of everyone demonstrating how to spend the green road in the future.
——Since this is the second time you have held it, are you seeing any changes?
Mashiba The first event in November last year was planned and opened by some members, but we decided to open it to the community, so we accepted the opening of the store by open recruitment this time. When we solicited 10 slots, we received 14 applications, and in the end all of us opened the store.
In this way, I realize every day that there are so many people who want to be involved in community development and the utilization of public spaces, or want to do something for the city. I would like to continue to create places where such people can work and liven up the city, and let's do various things from now on so that it can be realized even on the newly constructed green road in the future. That is the purpose of this time.
——It's a place where everyone in the community can feel that they can participate in community development and green road development.
Mashiba Ideally, it should be a public space that makes you feel like your own garden.
Hayashi: We have regularly created places to listen to the voices of local people, such as the "Sasahatahatsu Conference," but there are quite a few people who find it difficult to participate in such places. That's right. But if it's a Marche like today, those people would be happy to participate.
Mashiba Moreover, doing it in an indoor space such as a gymnasium or a public hall is completely different from doing it in such an open outdoor place so that anyone can access it. It's a good opportunity for passers-by to feel free to ask, "What are you doing?" Or "What will happen to the green road?"
Hayashi: If this was a one-time festival-like event, wouldn't we do our best for one day and return to the green road where nothing happened the next day? Instead, this "388 FARM β" is an experiment to connect to the green road of the future. After that, we will ask you to give feedback on the voices of the locals.
Also, when it comes to building relationships with local people and working to increase the number of people involved, we have been holding meetings called "chat meetings" every other week for about a year now. I think it's hard to have a place where people from the ward come in and talk with local people every other week. But the truth is, what you want to do the most is to create such a community.
Today's Marche is not the purpose of holding it, but an event to get more people involved from here.
After that, we have formed a team called "TPT (tea party)" with local members and hold a tea party once a month. You created a general incorporated association with local members to create a place to talk about the future on the green road.
——What kind of people will participate in it?
Mashiba Anyone can participate. Even passersby.
——What are you talking about?
Hayashi "Tea is delicious" (laughs). Also, talk about the city now and in the future.
Mashiba It's a conversation without love. There is no agenda (laughs)
Hayashi: Lower the hurdles. The purpose is to communicate.
——You have various channels to connect with the locals, such as today's Marche, bi-weekly “chat”, and monthly “TPT” (tea party).
Mashiba Among them, various generations in the area are involved, and intergenerational exchanges are progressing through the green road.
Is there a gradual change in the awareness of Shibuya Ward staff?
I think the important part of creating a community with the forest area is how the public and private sectors work together. For example, it is difficult for a person from a private company to have a deep root in the area and talk to various places. But I think it makes a lot of sense for the staff of the ward to come in and do it now. As far as I know, there aren't many places where the staff of the ward are working so far.
But if a local person wants to do something like this, he can move right away, because he's a ward employee. That's what happened, and if you give us feedback again, the locals will be very happy. That has led to a sense of self-affirmation for the ward staff, and now a very good relationship has been born.
——The staff of the ward also come to help from various people across the section.
I think that the image inside the Mashiba Ward Office has changed a lot. Even in today's Marche, there are many people in the ward when walking (laughs). Some people came to play from afar, and many people raised their hands when I told the department that "Is there anyone who can help me?"
——What do you think of the ward staff regarding activities that are deeply rooted in the community?
There are few staff members in Shibuya Ward, Mashiba, who are moving to enter the area directly so far. After all, even if I do that, I tend to end up receiving complaints from the local people on a daily basis. However, people who complain also have the same desire to improve the city, so if you communicate properly and build relationships, you will be able to have a relationship where you can talk to each other properly. It seems that people who used to be angry will gradually become friends.
I would like to increase the number of staff who can build relationships to that extent.
Future possibilities born from "chat"
Mashiba This time, instead of keeping the bustle of this green road only on the green road, it is better for the area to spread it around, so if you go to a nearby store with the leaflets distributed at Marche, you can get a discount. We have created a system that offers benefits such as drinks and large servings. The plan is for people who come here to go around the stores around them and liven up the whole area.
Hayashi This was actually planned by a local. A person who runs a curry shop in the neighborhood said, "Isn't it better to do something like this?"
——Is it a tea party or a chat party?
Mashiba online chat. That's amazing.
We were very pleased when we actually organized what the local people suggested, and it was a good project for the region.
——I hope the people around you who saw it, and I and I, will be more and more involved.
Mashiba: Local people sometimes say "I don't like eating" or "I don't like doing it" when it comes to improving public spaces. So when I say "this time it's an experiment" and show it to me, the number of friends increases, saying "I like it!" Or "Then, I'll cooperate from now on!". I think it's important to try it anyway.
Hayashi: I hope that the local people will continue to participate more and more. You can start from the tea party, and there are various entrances.
