Creating attractive parks in Fukuoka by increasing the value of parks and cities through "Park PFI"

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of parks in Japan!

Sanenzan Zojoji Temple in Shiba, Tokyo (Image provided by Masakatsu Terasaki)

The park system in Japan dates back to 1873, when Dajokan Proclamation No. 16 was issued to prefectures, and this year marks its 150th anniversary .
As a result, Asakusa ( Kinryuzan Sensoji Temple ) , Ueno ( Toeizan Kan'ei-ji Temple ) , Shiba (Sanenzan Zojoji Temple), Fukagawa ( Tomioka Hachiman Shrine) , and Asukayama were born in Tokyo Prefecture ( as it was then called ) .

 

 

However, before the opening of the five parks, Yamate Park in Yokohama (opened in 1870 ) was a facility that called itself a "park."
However, the facility was established by foreigners residing in Yokohama and its use was limited to foreigners only, making it different from today's parks.

 

 

After the Dajokan decree establishing parks, 67 parks were established across the country in the five years until 1878 , when the Satsuma Rebellion ended.
The rapid spread of parks can be attributed to the progress of urbanization during the Meiji period .
Especially since the 20th century, parks have come into the spotlight as social infrastructure, and in June 1903 , Hibiya Park was developed as Japan's first Western-style park.

 

 

Globally, "parks" appeared in modern times as public spaces that anyone can use free of charge .
Indeed, prior to this, many green spaces where people gathered to relax were privately managed, with restrictions on users and fees charged.

 

 

Meanwhile, in 19th century Britain, the concept of parks as "public spaces that anyone can use free of charge" was born through the Civil Revolution .
Then, gardens and hunting grounds owned by the nobility began to be opened to the public as places of relaxation.
Today, the origin of parks is said to be Birkenhead Park in the northwest of England . Birkenhead Park was developed in 1847 as a "park for citizens run by the local government" as part of urban planning.

 

 

Three methods of park management: designated manager system, installation and management permission system, and park PFI

Source: "Guidelines for Utilizing Park-PFI to Improve the Quality of Urban Parks"

 

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Urban Park Database, as of March 2022 , there are 113,828 urban parks and other facilities in Japan, covering an area of 133,520 hectares .
The average area of one city park is 1.15 hectares, meaning that the average area of city parks per capita is 10.8 square meters.

 

 

Today, urban parks serve as places of relaxation for local residents, playgrounds for children, and evacuation site in the event of a disaster, and are an essential piece of public infrastructure, just like roads and ports .
On the other hand, the declining birthrate and aging population are accelerating, and many local governments are facing financial challenges.
As a result, there are often not enough budgets to develop and maintain parks.
Under these circumstances, the main methods of park management through public-private partnerships include the designated manager system, the installation and management permit system, and park PFI projects.

 

 

Designated Manager System

The designated manager system is a method of entrusting the management of an entire park to private businesses .
Potential benefits include improved services for users and reduced maintenance costs by utilizing the know-how and vitality of the private sector.
On the other hand, the designated period is short, ranging from three to five years, making it difficult for private businesses to make long-term investments.

 

 

Installation and management permit system

The installation and management permit system is a method defined by the Urban Parks Act, which allows private businesses to install and manage facilities (shops, restaurants, etc.) within parks .
The purpose of the facilities to be installed is to improve services for park users.
The maximum building coverage ratio for the facility is 2 %, and the maximum installation and management permit period is 10 years ( renewable ) .
Even within the same park, there may be different private operators who manage the entire park and those who only install and manage the facilities within the park.

 

 

Park PFI

Park PFI is a system established by the amendment to the Urban Parks Act in 2017 .
Park managers will select private businesses through a public competition and allow them to install and manage profitable facilities within the park that are self-sufficient.
The permission period is capped at 20 years, and the building coverage ratio can be increased by up to 10 %.
The facilities to be installed will aim to improve services for park users and will also contribute a portion of the profits towards park maintenance costs.
Park PFI is based on the Urban Parks Act, while regular PFI is based on the PFI Promotion Act.

 

 

Japan's first park PFI was Katsuyama Park in Kitakyushu, and the first national park was Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Photo image "Overall view of the facility from the opposite bank" in the "Facility status" section of the Kitakyushu City website "Opening of the convenience facilities at the west side of the Ogai Bridge in Katsuyama Park" (Image provided by Kitakyushu City)

 

The first case in Japan to introduce Park PFI , which has recently attracted attention as a way to renovate parks into "profitable parks," was a park in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Katsuyama Park, located in Jonai, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, is the first park PFI .
The park covers an area of approximately 20 hectares, and in July 2018, Komeda Coffee opened in the 0.32 hectare bridgehead plaza on the west side of Ogai Bridge, which spans the Murasaki River.
Kitakyushu City, the park's founder, initially planned to open the park under the installation and management permit system.
While the review was underway, the Urban Parks Act was amended, leading to the introduction of Park PFI .

 

 

Meanwhile, the first national park in Japan to adopt Park PFI was Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Park, a national park in Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City .
In March 2022, the vast Umi Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Park, which covers an area of ​​350 hectares, opened the park-integrated accommodation facility "INN THE PARK Fukuoka" under the park PFI system.
In addition, the aquarium "Marine Uminonakamichi " and hotel "The Luigans" located on the west side of Uminonakamichi Seaside Park are developed and operated as normal PFI projects.

 

 

[Fukuoka Prefecture] Park PFI introduced at Ohori Park, Tenjin Central Park, and Nishi Park

As of the end of March 2022, there are 6,244 urban parks in Fukuoka Prefecture, including nine prefectural urban parks .
The Nishinakasu area of ​​Tenjin Central Park, which was the first project undertaken by Fukuoka Prefecture , is the fifth case in Japan to introduce Park PFI , according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Status of Utilization of Park-PFI and Other Systems."

 

 

Tenjin Central Park (Nishinakasu area)

Tenjin Central Park, Nishinakasu area (Image provided by Fukuoka Prefecture)

 

Tenjin Central Park, which can be described as an "urban oasis" for office workers in the Tenjin area, is made up of the Tenjin and Nishi-Nakasu areas.
In August 2019, the Nishinakasu area opened a food and beverage facility called "HARENO GARDEN EAST&WEST" as a project utilizing the park's PFI.
In the future, the park PFI is also planned to create a lively atmosphere in the Tenjin area of ​​Tenjin Central Park, south of ACROS Fukuoka , as a "permanent park facility with dining facilities."

 

Ohori Park(Ohori Terrace)

"Ohori Terrace" in "Ohori Park"

 

Ohori Park, one of the nation's leading waterscape parks, uses both the installation and management permit system and park PFI .
Fukuoka Prefecture, which manages the park, opened Restaurant Hananoki, Starbucks Coffee Ohori Park Branch, and Boathouse Ohori Park under the establishment and management permit system.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the development of a Japanese garden within the park through the Park PFI, a Yame tea-themed dining facility called Ohori Terrace opened in September 2020 .
The facility manages and operates the park while aiming to improve its convenience and appeal.

 

Nishi Park

Photo courtesy of Fukuoka Prefecture

 

Nishi Park, where approximately 1,300 cherry trees bloom every spring and which has been selected as one of the " 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan ," will be transformed into a lively and attractive park through the Park PFI .
"We aim to create a hub of activity" by improving the play environment with large play equipment and rest areas with dining facilities.
The park's PFI will "enhance its appeal" by installing an observation deck, clearing trees to ensure views, restoring tree vigor, and providing lighting.
The plan also calls for "strengthening connections" by improving accessibility and maneuverability through measures such as expanding circular walkways and parking.

 

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Hashimoto Hashimoto, head of the Parks and Streets Section of the Fukuoka Prefecture Architecture and Urban Planning Department, which is in charge of the development and management of urban parks in Fukuoka Prefecture , had the following to say about park development through Park PFI :

 

Hashimoto Hashimoto, Section Chief

 

Hashimoto Hashimoto, section chief of the Parks and Streets Division of the Fukuoka Prefecture Architecture and Urban Planning Department (left) and Futoshi Kazan, technical assistant section chief (right)

 

[Fukuoka City] Meiji Park, Seiryu Park, and Higashihirao Park introduce Park PFI

As of April 1, 2023, there are 1,688 urban parks in Fukuoka City that are subject to the Urban Parks Act.

In Fukuoka City, with the aim of maximizing private sector vitality while keeping management and operation in mind , in addition to the park PFI project, the city is also publicly soliciting businesses to carry out park facility development projects and management and operation projects all at once, which is one of the distinctive features of its business methods.
The first phase of utilizing Park PFI in Fukuoka Citymanaged parks will be the three parks whose preferred negotiating parties were announced in August 2023 : Meiji Park, Seiryu Park, and Higashihirao Park (Otani Square) .

Meiji Park

Image: Fukuoka City release

 

Meiji Park is located in front of Hakata , where buildings are being renovated as part of the urban redevelopment project " Hakata Connected."
Through Park PFI , the park will be developed into a "gateway" for new "experiences," "liveliness," and "circulation."
This time, architect Sou Fujimoto, producer of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo and known for the design of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Temporary Hall, has been appointed as the overall design supervisor.
Meiji Park, a new landmark that combines trees and architecture, will feature "stairs that make you want to climb" and "a three-dimensional corridor that makes you want to walk" in conjunction with Fukuoka City's Fitness City project.

 

 

Seiryu Park

Image: Fukuoka City release

Seiryu Park, located along the Naka River, is a long, narrow park that stretches from Showa-dori Avenue to Canal City Hakata from north to south.
Seiryu Park is made up of the "south area" close to the Canal Canal City Hakata shopping complex, the "bridge area" which has been temporarily developed as a lively space on the detour bridge, and the "north area" facing the Naka River from Haruyoshi Bridge to Showa-dori Avenue .
Based on Fukuoka City's "Riverfront NEXT" project, the area will be developed into a park that takes advantage of its waterfront location .
With a lighting plan that makes use of the architecture, plans are also underway to create a new nighttime symbol for the riverfront area and a spectacular water and light show.

 

 

Higashihirao Park (Otani Square)

Image: Fukuoka City release

Higashi Hirao Park, located on the east side of Fukuoka Airport, is a comprehensive park equipped with a variety of sports and recreational facilities, including an athletics stadium, ball fields, and tennis courts .
The current renovation project at Higashi Hirao Park ( Otani Square ) is based on Fukuoka City's "Fukuoka Green NEXT" and aims to develop the park into a place where visitors can discover and experience the charm of nature and the forest , creating a park that is friendly to everyone.
Each area will have playgrounds with different levels of difficulty and characteristics, and these playgrounds will form a ``circle'' so that children can find the place that suits them while playing.

 

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Yui Kojima, head of the Park PFI Promotion Division of the Fukuoka City Housing and Urban Planning Bureau Parks Department, who is in charge of promoting the Park PFI system in Fukuoka City , said the following:

 

Yui Kojima, Section Manager

 

Takayuki Nagano (left), Chief of the First Promotion Section of the Park- PFI Promotion Division, Parks Department, Housing and Urban Planning Bureau , Fukuoka City, and Yui Kojima (right), Chief of the Park-PFI Promotion Division

How will the park change in the future?

Regarding parks, which are a part of social infrastructure, management methods that utilize the vitality of the private sector are emerging, such as the designated manager system, the installation and management permit system, and park PFI .
How do experts view this situation?
Professor Shibata Hisashi of the Department of Social Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka University, who specializes in landscape architecture and public space design and is also knowledgeable about park PFI , offers the following opinion:

 

　Professor Hisashi Shibata

 

Professor Hisashi Shibata, Department of Social Design Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka University

 

The only urban parks that can be subject to park PFI are those that are of a certain size and have the capacity to attract visitors and are therefore profitable .
Most of Japan's urban parks, with an average area of just over one hectare, are small parks located in city centers.
As a method of managing parks that makes use of the vitality of the private sector, the designated manager system was introduced, followed by the establishment and management permit system, and then park PFI was born.
It is expected that in the future, new park management methods will emerge through private sector initiative in small, familiar urban parks as well .

 

 

Reference site

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Guidelines for Utilizing Park-PFI to Improve the Quality of Urban Parks"
https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001197545.pdf

 

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Urban Park Database"
https://www.mlit.go.jp/toshi/park/content/01_R02.pdf

 

Homemate Publications "History of Parks"
https://www.homemate-research-park.com/useful/15481_facil_002/#:~:text=%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E3%81%AE%E8%B5%B7%E6%BA%90%E3%81%A8%E3%81%95%E3%82%8C,%E8%A8%BC%E3%81%A 7%E3%82%82%E3%81%82%E3%82%8B%E3%81%AE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%99%E3%80%82

 

Primroses
http://sakuraso.jp/house/modules/hachi/index.php?content_id=25

 

Kitakyushu City: "Convenience facilities at the west side of the Ogai Bridge in Katsuyama Park are now open to the public"
https://www.city.kitakyushu.lg.jp/kensetu/05900156.html

 

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Status of Utilization of Park-PFI and Other Systems (Updated Version of the First Study Group Materials)"
https://www.mlit.go.jp/toshi/park/content/001489962.pdf

 

Fukuoka Prefecture"Statistical Information Archive > F Position (Culture, Sports, Residence)"
https://www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/dataweb/fposition4.html

 

Fukuoka Prefecture"Fukuoka Prefecture Administrative Reform Outline (2017-2021)"
https://www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/uploaded/attachment/156407.pdf

 

Fukuoka City Green Management Basic Policy
https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/data/open/cnt/3/107665/1/midorikeieikihonnhousin.pdf?20230323130441

 

 

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