Shimokita Senrogai & Shimokita Engei-bu (Green Infrastructure on the former Odakyu rail corridor)
東京都世田谷区 / Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan · Operator: 一般社団法人シモキタ園藝部 / 小田急電鉄・世田谷区 (Shimokita Engei-bu, with Odakyu Electric Railway and Setagaya City)
Overview
The corridor created by undergrounding the Odakyu line (Shimokita Senrogai) was regenerated as continuous green infrastructure of a rain-garden plaza, open meadow and planting strips. The municipal Shimokita Rain Garden Plaza is designed so people can cross on stepping stones even when water pools, delivering stormwater management, biodiversity and community. The citizen group Shimokita Engei-bu is deeply involved through planting, beekeeping and composting.
Citizen participation
On the corridor freed up after the railway went underground, Shimokita Engei-bu—a citizen association of around 200 members—maintains the planting and runs beekeeping and composting. Setagaya City co-created the 'Kitazawa Design Guide' through resident workshops from 2014, and greenery in the public space is built and operated through resident collaboration.
Operating model
A public-private-citizen co-creation model linking a railway operator's corridor development (Odakyu), the city's green-infrastructure policy (Setagaya), and a citizen association's operations. Small livelihoods are embedded, such as the 'Chaya' shop selling herbs and honey.
Impact
Awarded the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Prize in the 3rd Green Infrastructure Awards (living-space category). It embedded citizen-led green stewardship and material cycling (composting, beekeeping) in a redeveloped district, becoming a leading urban green-infrastructure case that balances stormwater management with vibrancy and community building.
Crops
- ハーブ / herbs
- ハチミツ（養蜂） / honey (beekeeping)
- 在来・多年生植栽 / native and perennial plants
Scale
全長約1.7kmの下北線路街沿いの緑地。2020年発足のシモキタ園藝部は2021年に一般社団法人化し会員約200名。2022年に区立シモキタ雨庭広場・はら広場・拠点（こや／ちゃや）がオープン。
In the media（2）
Web articles and features that cover this case.
Sources（1）
This entry is compiled from the public sources, official sites and research below.
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