The city of Kyoto is planning to relax building height limits on the southern side of Kyoto Station in an effort to attract more office and residential development.

Under the proposed changes, business and research facilities to be built in the vicinity of Karasuma Street on the southern side of Kyoto Station on lots over 500 sqm in size will have maximum height limits increased to up to 31 meters. Sites around the Kamitobaguchi Station that include greenery in the site design will have their maximum floor-area ratios increased from their current limit of 400% to a new limit of 1000%. 

Between Yamashina and Rokujizo Stations, an area where apartment development is more suitable, the 20-meter and 31-meter height limits may be removed providing the apartment building includes retail space on the ground floor. The area around Mukomachi Station may see the removal of 31-meter height limits for the construction of factories and warehouses.  

In 2007, the city introduced new scenic measures that limited building heights in most of the city to just 10 ~ 31 meters. Areas that once had 45-meter height limits were reduced to 31 meters. These height limits, however, have limited development and supply, pushing up property values and creating housing affordability issues. Office space is also in short supply. The end result is that companies and residents are having to look outside of the city.

Allowing for larger and taller buildings is also expected to bring much-needed property tax revenue to the city.

The city’s historic preservation efforts date back to 1930 with the designation of Scenic Areas. In 1972, Kyoto was the country’s frontrunner in neighborhood conservation with the establishment of a Town Scenic Maintenance Ordinance. These rules were still not enough to protect historic machiya townhouses from being demolished, or buildings built that were blocking views of the city’s three mountains. To prevent haphazard development in the original city center, stricter rules were put in place in 2007.

The proposed height allowances will not apply to the historic city blocks north of the station.

Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun, September 30, 2022.

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