Urban planning by obliteration of both waterways and opponents: the infilling of canals during the 1950s reconstruction of central Tokyo

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article examines the infilling of canals constructed in early modern times and subsequent development on newly created land in central Tokyo in the 1950s, following the curtailment of official war-damage reconstruction after World War II. New developments included a high-rise central station building, a four-storey amusement complex, an underground entertainment street and an elevated motorway. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Japanese National Railways were driving forces in infilling and development, which resulted in enormous political and social reactions in the local communities, newspapers and the National Diet (Parliament).