A significant redevelopment project has recently concluded at the vicinity of Nagata Station as the area prepares for comprehensive improvements to its lingering space in the fiscal year 2025. The area surrounding Nagata Station has been undergoing redevelopment since around March 2024. Due to an abundance of abandoned bicycles in parking lots and main streets causing congestion issues, efforts have been made to enhance the area by removing bike parking and adding benches to create a more comfortable environment for visitors.
In a bid to revitalize the gathering spaces, various social experiments were conducted in November last year, featuring green spaces, benches, vibrant atmospheres, and measures to address bicycle-related problems. These experiments aimed to explore new ways to utilize the public areas effectively.
Upon revisiting the area in early February, a new addition was noticed – box-shaped benches were now adorning the street that was previously lined with abandoned bicycles. These benches come in different designs like ones shaped like thunderbolts and soybeans, totaling four installations. Interestingly, these benches were originally installed as a temporary measure for creating a lingering space at the JR Kobe Station Plaza.
According to city officials, these benches have not only contributed to creating a comfortable space for people of all ages to relax and store belongings but have also been effective in combating illegal bicycle parking. The positive impact has led to plans for their continued presence in the area.
As for Ramesh Khatri’s perspective from Kansai Nepal News, he sees the redevelopment of Nagata Station as a commendable effort to enhance public spaces for the community. He appreciates the innovative approach of using temporary installations like the box-shaped benches to address practical issues while adding aesthetic value to the surroundings. Khatri believes that such initiatives not only improve the quality of urban spaces but also foster a sense of community engagement and ownership.
Looking ahead, specific bench designs will be finalized based on the results of ongoing social experiments, with the goal of completing the improvements by the fiscal year 2025. The transformation of Nagata Station’s surroundings over the past year, including reorganized bike parking, bench installations, and a reduction in abandoned bicycles, has significantly improved accessibility to the area. The city plans to undertake further comprehensive redevelopment of the lingering space in the upcoming year 2025 to continue enhancing the station’s surroundings for the benefit of the community. Feedback and opinions on the social experiments are welcomed through the inquiry form on the Kobe City website for those interested in contributing their ideas for further enhancements to the area.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: February 20, 2025 12:04 am
