Spaces for relaxation provided throughout the buildingAscending the escalators from the entrance, you enter the local information corner on the second floor, where local specialties, cultural materials, and art from Kokubunji are on display. The facility offers many other spaces for relaxation, including a multipurpose room, a library, and a terrace on the top floor.City Hall is a place one rarely visits without a specific purpose, but after speaking with the staff this time, I realized this City Hall is a new type of facility. It doesn’t just fulfill administrative functions; it also serves as a setting for community interactions. The use of wood in the information signs, counters, and chairs throughout the building creates a warm atmosphere. Hearing about initiatives like the New City Hall Bench-Making Workshop, I was impressed by the efforts to create a space cherished by the community through residents’ collective contributions.(Yuki Okabe, Rion Technical Journal Staff)Coordinated by Sanae TanahashiKokubunji City HallT his Issue’s T he m e[T he City Hall as a Representation of the City]After interviewStaff at Kokubunji City HallOn the left is Hisaya Shoji (Public Facilities Management Section, Municipal Policy Division, Kokubunji City), and on the right is Emi Takagi (Community Development Promotion Section, Community Develop-ment Division, Kokubunji City). Accepting the baton from their predecessors in the nearly 20-year Kokubunji City New City Hall Construction Project, they oversaw the building’s completion.Exterior of City HallThe exterior of the new City Hall building features colors designated by elementary and junior high school students of Kokubunji in a workshop. Differ-ent color patterns are used for the west (right) and east (left) sides of the building to blend with the surrounding environment.Main entranceThe lobby displays a model of the seven-storied pagoda and a pencil rocket, giving visitors a glimpse of Kokubun-ji’s unique history. (photo provided by Kokubunji City Hall)OUR FAVORITE TOWN, KOKUBUNJI— RION STAFF SHOW YOU AROUND19Kokubunji, located at the geographical center of Tokyo, is where Rion was born and grew. What kind of a town is it?In this corner, Rion staff members visit the people and places in town and report on their charm.This time, we visited the new City Hall of Kokubunji, which moved to its current location and began operating in January 2025. It’s just an 8-minute walk away from Rion.Boasting high earthquake resistance and sophisticated disaster prevention features, it serves not just as an administrative office but also as a place of relaxation open to the public.How did this charming building come to be?The new City Hall, evoking sunbeams through green foliage, combines high earthquake resistance with a welcoming atmosphere.On January 1, 2025, Kokubunji City Hall relocated to its new building, marking the first move in the 62 years since completion of the old City Hall in 1963. The 2008 decision to close and demolish the old building was prompted by seismic safety concerns. During the nearly 17 years since then, its administrative functions were dispersed across various locations within the city, but are now finally consolidated in a single building. “Kokubunji City values cooperative efforts with its citizenry,” says Emi Takagi of the Community Development Promotion Section. “We held numerous public meetings to determine the concept for the new City Hall.” In 2019, three core principles were selected based on input from Kokubunji citizens: supporting daily life and safety; making municipal government more accessible; and nurturing the spirit of Kokubunji. Six basic policies were formulated based on these principles, including reliability, efficiency, and user-friendliness.One of the top priorities in the construction of the new City Hall was disaster prevention. The new building incorporates seismic isolation technologies based on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan and Kumamoto earthquakes. Power is supplied by two separate systems to ensure continuity even if one system fails. The emergency power generation capacity ensures power for seven days, exceeding national standards. The toilets can be used for up to seven days using recycled rainwater.“One reason we chose this location was disaster prevention,” says Hisaya Shoji of the Public Facilities Management Section. The new City Hall is adjacent to Musashi Kokubunji Park, a designated wide-area evacuation site, and is also close to other disaster facilities, including the fire department and the Kokubunji Medical Association.Its location next to a large park provides numerous benefits. “I think the City Hall has become more familiar and accessible,” says Takagi. “The first floor is now a place for children to play after school, and the refreshment space on the third floor is also open to the public. It can be used for meetings of local clubs, study sessions for high school students, and other community activities.”The building’s welcoming atmosphere can be partly attributed to the color concept of foliage green and light brown representing sunbeams through woods. The exterior design was determined through a workshop with color experts and elementary and junior high school students—the next generation of Kokubunji City—who were invited to submit their ideas. The color palette was created by sampling natural colors from the surrounding environment to ensure harmony.Five months after its opening, citizens visiting the new City Hall often congratulate the staff, saying “Nice building.” Visitors take joyful photos at the entrance and cheer enthusiastically for their local high school during public viewings related to the Koshien baseball tournament, attesting to the sense of belonging the building inspires.Shoji describes Kokubunji as a city of just the right size. According to the city survey, the population is on the rise. Some 90% of the residents surveyed report that they find it a pleasant place to live. The new City Hall, with its user-friendly and welcoming design, will offer enhanced disaster prevention functions and improved citizen services while serving as a hub to strengthen community bonds, further enhancing Kokubunji’s appeal.KOKUBUNJIRion
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