b'SYDNEY - BOSTON - FUKUOKA 2018 - 2019periodic Mongol invasion. Occupying the low-lying plains betweenand outward impulses - its inter-laced networks and gateways - the Naka and Mikasa Rivers, early maps of the original merchantthat make Fukuoka most distinctive. On arrival for the international town reveal a tight grain of orthogonal streets stretching fromhousing venture Nexus World (completed 1991), architect and Hakata Bay towards the mountain ranges to the south. Whileurbanist Rem Koolhaas commented:numerous kofun (ancient Sino-Japanese graves) suggest that theFukuoka: young pink Chicago around a blue bay. (But all Hakata settlement could have been established as early as thecolours are blue in Japan). Eastern extremity of an axis fourth century AD, its oldest shrine, Hakozaki-gu dates from 923AD.that runs via Seoul and Moscow to Lille, and eventually The moated samurai town of Fukuoka on the other hand, waseven to London, maybe. Like almost everywhere, the south established west of the Naka River during the Edo period, almostconsidered essence of attractiveness: better climate, less seven centuries later. With an elevated new castle located high onhistory, more freedom. Atlanta, Munich, Marseille: people, Fukasi Hill, the surrounding street layout comprised defensive Lactivities, programs - disconnected from specifics of place - and T shaped streets, still evident in Chuo-ku today. With a singlegravitate toward a zone of maximum niceness. In Japan, that is bridge linking Fukuoka to Hakata,the control and separation ofFukuoka. Stacked highways, stainless steel blinders, smell of its distinctive merchant, samurai and feudal classes was assured.oysters. Site: flat; distant mountains; residential area of almost Reflecting a civility and order evident even in its early stages,East German neatness near invisible sea; could be anywhere Fukuoka attracted glowing endorsement from John Saris (1580- (Koolhaas 1995a, p.92).1646), captain of the first English voyage to Japan in 1613:Reflecting a cosmopolitan global presence, Fukuoka has been I did land there and dine in the Towne, the tyde and windconspicuously open to international architectural and urban so strong against vs as that we could not passe. The Townedesign trends for many decades, with substantial projects by seemed to be as great as London is within the wals, very welEmilio Ambasz, Rem Koolhaas, Steven Holl, Aldo Rossi and other built, and euen so as you may see from the one end of theprominent design practitioners completed throughout the city since streete to the other. The place exceedingly peopled, very ciuillthe mid-1980s. With varying degrees of abstraction, these buildings128118and courteous (Satow 1900, pp.121-122).are emblematic of the global city: visually arresting, somewhat Contemporary Fukuoka is Japans sixth largest city, enjoys thedetached from context, yet clearly making an impact on the citys countrys highest population growth and receives in excess of twoimage of itself and its perception on the global stage. Described million tourists annually - mostly from China, Taiwan and Korea.in striking terms by Koolhaas (1995b, p.364) as a gene splice . . . The city has a high rating for liveability (Wilson 2008) and recordsstripped of ideology, then boosted by Japanese ingenuity, Fukuokas consistently rising investment. As a testament to its global presence,engagement with global architecture and urbanism casts fascinating Fukuoka facilitates Japans second highest annual number oflight on Japan and its relationship with the world. international conferences and hosts an increasing number of cruise ships at its Hakata Port. While its texture of generic concreteDriven mainly by Kyushus most prominent architect, Arata Isozaki structures aligns with all Japanese cities, it is the fusion of inward(b.1931 in Oita, on the east coast of the island) these international Master of Urban Development & Design 2018-2019Fukuoka design 8pt.indd 5 26/11/2019 5:05:22 PM'