The role of reconstruction planning and shop owners’ contribution in the post-war transformation and revival of vitality in Hiroshima Hondōri Shōtengai

Post-war reconstruction planning and the involvement of pre-war shop owners played pivotal roles in revitalizing Hiroshima's Hondōri Commercial Street after the atomic bombing. Unlike recent neoliberal reconstruction efforts, which have often failed to restore vitality, Hiroshima's approach successfully maintained the street's function and structure. The study, utilizing field and archival surveys, found that shop owners actively participated in planning deliberations and organized initiatives to encourage business returns and visitor engagement. These findings underscore the significance of collaborative planning and local citizen initiatives in restoring livelihoods to war-damaged areas, offering a model for effective post-conflict urban revitalization.

Alkazei, A., & Matsubara, K. (2022). The role of reconstruction planning and shop owners’ contribution in the post-war transformation and revival of vitality in Hiroshima Hondōri Shōtengai. Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, 22(2), 425–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2022.2046587