Tall & Urban News

Kyoto City is considering relaxing its strict building height limits on a case-by-case basis. Some locals, however, are concerned that could ruin the character of the historic former capital. 

Kyoto's New Scenic Measures were introduced in 2007, but the city's preservation efforts began back in 1930 with the designation of Scenic Areas. In 1972, Kyoto was the country's frontrunner of 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. In 2007, stricter building height limits were introduced with districts given various height limits ranging from 10 meters to 31 meters. In areas with a large concentration of traditional townhouses, 15-meter height limits were reduced to 31 meters. Allowances were made for cases suh as schools and hospitals, and buildings of significant design. 

The relative scarcity of development sites and strict height limits has, however, put a ceiling on the city's growth potential with limited residential and office supply. The surge in foreign tourists in the past few years has sent land prices skyrocketing, with devlopers choosing to build more profitable hotels over office and apartments, serving to only further the shortage in housing. 

The proposed plan to relax height limits is expected to apply to some office and apartment building projects in the city center, although actual criteria has yet to be clearly defined by the city. If approved, the new allowance could be introduced sometime next year. 

For more on this story, go to Japan Property Central.