BLA/MLA Options Studio fieldwork report: Post mega games, Tokyo

From 14-16 February 2025, the Post mega games option studio engaged in fieldwork to Tokyo led by Yifeng Lin. The fieldwork focused on Harumi Island and Tsukishima Island, two distinct yet interconnected areas shaped by Tokyo’s rapid urban transformation and post-Olympic era.

Harumi Island, once a site of industrial and logistical functions, was redeveloped into the Harumi Flag, the athletes’ village for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This large-scale project raises questions about post-Olympic urban reuse, housing policies, and the integration of new residents into the existing urban fabric. The studio examined the transition from a temporary Olympic space to a long-term residential district and its implications for local identity and social cohesion.  In contrast, Tsukishima Island maintains a strong local character with its historic Monja Street and long-established communities. Despite pressures from surrounding high-rise developments, Tsukishima’s urban form reflects a delicate balance between preservation and modernization. The studio investigated how residents adapt to economic and social shifts while resisting displacement.  By analysing both islands, this design research studio offers critical insights into Tokyo’s broader urban strategies, highlighting tensions between mega-developments, global events, and the resilience of local communities.

The fieldwork was also guided by Professor Hideaki Shimura, a local researcher focusing on urban conservation in Tsukishima.