Japan's capital city Tokyo is seeing massive urban redevelopment as the mega-city looks to become a more accessible and attractive place to live.<br />Our Won Jung-hwan reports.<br />As the 2020 Olympics approaches, Tokyo is seeing a construction boom. As well as sporting venues, large areas of the city are being redeveloped, with the Shibuya district alone having at least a dozen large-scale high-rises under construction.<br />According to a recent survey by Mori Building,,… around 75 large buildings across the city will be finished in the years leading up to the Games. <br />But Tokyo doesn't just want to add to its concrete jungle. It also wants to develop cultural areas to make the city a brighter place to live and visit.<br />Roppongi Hills is one such example,… as the area has gone through a massive change to attract a more diverse range of people than before. <br />"Approximately 17 years after Roppongi Hills' official opening, the neighborhood is still a nightlife hotspot, but the area has also actively sought to rebrand itself as a cultural Mecca."<br />In the 1990s, Tokyo-based building tycoon, Minoru Mori, spearheaded the Roppongi Hills redevelopment in an attempt to build an integrated high-rise development in the center of the city that would combine residential, work, retail, and entertainment spaces. <br />"Back in those days, there were just a lot of tall buildings,... but now the area has a harmony between each of the buildings, forming around art museums and natural parks."<br />People call it the Roppongi Art Triangle, where 3 major art museums, including the Mori Art Museum on 53rd floor of the Mori Tower, are within a short walk of each other, and provide discounts together. <br />In many respects, Tokyo's Roppongi Hills represents a new approach to urban life. <br />The area, which was once an enclave for Tokyo's ultra-rich,… now acts as a magnet for ordinary people looking to enjoy cultural activities. <br />"The area was regarded as a place only for rich people,... but now the perception has changed. Everyone is welcome at this place, from kids to foreigners."<br />Major cities around the world can learn from Tokyo's urban development plans,... which have given parts of the city a fresh new image.<br />Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News, Tokyo. <br />
