Studies on the relation to plan-making of conception of Hiroshima Peace City construction plan after the winning of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park competition by Kenzo Tange

Abstract

The price winning proposal by Architect Kenzo Tange (and his associate group) for the Peace Memorial Park competition in Hiroshima in 1949 is well known and extensively documented. Less research exists on the planning of the Peace Memorial Park Design and the Hiroshima City Reconstruction Plan focused on the concept of the Peace City. This paper examines the process of the preparation of the Peace City Construction Plan in Hiroshima between 1949 and 1952. It analyses several planning documents and explores how Kenzo Tange contributed to the plan-making in collaboration with staff from the Hiroshima City office and other members of the business community. It argues that while parts of the plan were already set before Tange’s arrival in Hiroshima, he and his staff had a large impact on select aspects of the plan. Tange proposed his unique planning concept and purpose to Hiroshima City planners and members of the business community and several of his ideas were realized. The analysis of various drafts and plans, points to specific areas where the input of Tange is visible, notably in more idealistic visions, more English wording, and also in the specification of building structures. The paper also highlights the particular impact from planning staff, notably focused on the implementation and funding of the plan. In conclusion, the paper demonstrates the need for a careful analysis of the process from vision to plan and the interaction between external architects and their visions and local planning agencies and their needs and requirements.