SUSTAINING THE FUKUOKA CITY’S IDENTITIES1

福岡市のアイデンティティの維持について
Slamet Trisutomo2
Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

I. INTRODUCTION

Modern technology particularly communication and transportation currently are able to

link and bring the parts of the world to other side of the world. These make the distance of
people in the world into a closer and smaller scale. The world is becoming one and as a result
what is happening in a community, city or country will be known at global scale in a very short
time whatever the distance and times difference. The globalization era is coming.
An impact of globalization and internationalization is enabling the urban development
to a wider possibility to copy and bring some thing from others. Jokonya (2000) exemplifies the
internationalization and rapid urban development of Shanghai has created this city as a collage
city: a city that collects and copying many physical features from the world. A copy of Triumph
Arch was built in Xie He Plaza, European style inspired the architecture of some settlements,
many fly-overpasses were built in many parts of the city, and New Century Plaza was
designed with French architecture. Being in Shanghai feels being in other city in the world,
means at this point the Shanghai lost its sense of place and its identity.
Burke (2000) supports the argument of loosing identity due to rapid urban
development. He summarizes the report of ICOMOS that the most threatened by the rapid
urban development are rural and vernacular architecture, twentieth-century heritage places,
industrial heritage, religious heritage, archeological sites, cultural landscapes and garden,
indigenous values and places, moveable heritage and collection. Once it occurs, the city will
loose the identities.
In general terms, identity means something that specific or unique. The synonyms of
identity are distinctiveness, individual, personality or character. Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Great
Wall in China, Liberty Statue in New York, the Golden Gate in New York, Sidney Opera House
and Harbor Bridge in Sidney, and Bentar Temple in Bali are examples and perceived as
identities of the place. It is a fact that to be an identity took very long times.
Eng (1996) uses terms character and identity to describe the quality urban planning
and design in Singapore to refer the quality of which a building or place enable a person to
recognize and recall a place in a vivid way because it is unique and distinct from other places.
Such identity may derive from tangible things in the landscape, but it may also encompass
intangible, less readily visible elements. Eng also suggests a strategy to build identity by
utilizing topography, skyline, park, landmark building, block design and precinct.
Goldsteen and Elliot (1994) and Idid (1990) worry the similarities of many cities. They
argue that nowadays when seen from a distance, a city seen similar. They, for instance,
exemplify Houston looks much like Los Angeles, as a river port Detroit looks like St. Louis and
staid old Boston looks like Philadelphia. Wherever one visits, the glass-wrapped buildings,
pattern of open space provide defining components that create similarities although at different
site context. They insist by contrast, singular design that responses to local situation have
created urban identities of many cities.

1
This paper has been presented in the Mayor Office of Fukuoka, Japan, attended by city managers, academicians, authors
and traditional communities
2
Lecturer of Hasanuddin University Makassar, Indonesia
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Srinivas (2001), an expert of UN Habitat also describes that sustaining the urban
heritage is not only help in revitalizing the local economy of the cities but also brings about a
sense of city identity. He also insists that having the local identity, particularly the historic
identity, is not only a record of a past but also a link for the future. In the similar perspective,
Alioglu (2002) also argues that city identity is necessity to find out its specific past and to
connect this with present and future.
Today is the era of globalization. Million people travel across the country not only to do
business but also to enjoy the attractiveness of countries. Tourist will travel along and will seek
the uniqueness of places that different from their own. It is a fact that places with distinctive
feature or culture become a major destination of tourists in turn will attract the dollars and
generate the local economy (Crowell, 1998). At this point, having and sustaining the identities
of the city will attract people to come.
Referring to Steele (1997), understanding the urban identity is an effort to realize the
idea of sustainable urban development. The meaning of sustainable development is not only
concern with economic development, but also considering the sustainable of the local identity.
Conserving urban heritage - historical buildings, festivals, art forms, dance, music,
statue etc. - may seem less of a priority compared to more pressing issues such as
infrastructure development, poverty alleviation or job creation. But effective conservation of
heritage resources not only helps in revitalizing the local economy of cities, but also brings
about a sense of city identity and belonging to its residents (Srinivas, 2001). Thus, sustaining
the urban identity is significant effort of sustainable development.

II. PROBLEMS OF RESEARCH

Having the previous description, this research was aimed to analyze the following
questions:
 First question is what are the perceived urban identities that remain exist in Fukuoka?
 The demand of development will threat the existence of the vacant space and idle
sites such as historical area. From this point, the second question is what are the
efforts of the city to sustain urban identity?
 Sustaining identities is a difficult task since it involves many aspects. The third
question might be raised, what problems associated to sustain the urban identities?

III. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Lynch (1960) writes that image of city builds the city identity. He hypothesized five
elements of urban image: node, edge, path, district and landmark. In the context of a city the
examples of a node is a cross section or a point; edge is a border between two areas such as
coastlines; path likes pathway, road or street; district means functional area such as housing,
business district or green area; landmark is a building such as monument or tower. Those
elements according to Lynch are the references of people to recall their memories of a place
called sense of place and brings the person to a perceive identity. Although the five images are
more physical rather than intangible elements, however the images have became basic
references of many researcher and urban designers as well as planners to understand the
urban identity.
To understand the meaning and many possibilities of urban identities, Shamsuddin
(1997) categorizes urban identity that falls into three broad categories; those are physical
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structures, urban spaces and landscape features. Physical structures might a building, street
and bridge; urban space might be an open space and skyline; and landscape feature such as
natural resources such urban forest, coastal area, lake, and geographical elements. She
analyzes qualities that associate with identities of city are physical characteristics, activities
and meaning of the place. The association these three qualities play different level of influence
on how identity of place is perceived by citizens.
Goldsteen and Elliot (1994) finally describe that identity is a characteristic combining
uniqueness, dissonance and mystery. Seeking the identity may be a battle against many
factors such as fashion trends, the sameness of building materials, behavioral instinct,
language cues, or attempt of copying other successful project from other cities as what
happening in Shanghai where the city importing many architectural style from foreign countries
(Jokonya, 2000).
Taking into account those previous descriptions, this research employed the research
of urban identity will be focused on the three categories: historical site and buildings, modern
features, and the natural park/open spaces. The intangible identities such as the culture or
social lifestyle will be not the focused but will be described in order to enrich the analyses of
the three categories.

IV. METHOD OF RESEARCH

1. Site of Research
The research was conducted in Fukuoka, Japan in February to May 2003. Fukuoka
City has an area of about 338 km2. The city is located in the center of the crescent-shaped
Fukuoka plain, facing the Genkai Sea on the north surrounded by mountain systems of Sefuri,
Sangun, and Inunaki. The climate is rather mild with the annual mean temperature of about 17 0
C and is characteristic of the climate of the Japan Sea. The city has the geographical
advantage of being close to the Korean Peninsula and the Chinese Continent and has served
as a gateway to import Asian continental cultures from olden times. In the fourth century B.C.,
the first rice cultivation in Japan began in this area. The golden seal found in Shikanoshima
Island is reliable evidence that proves the exchange of continental cultures in the first century.
From the seventh century over to the eleventh century, Korokan - an ancient guest-house -
was the hub of interchange. Later, in the sixteenth century, wealthy merchants in Hakata went
overseas seeking for profitable business. In 1889, the twenty-second year of the Meiji Era,
Fukuoka City was born by the organization of a city administration. In 1989, the Asia-Pacific
Expo was held to celebrate the First Centennial of the Fukuoka City Administration. Referring
to the Seventh Master Plan of Fukuoka2010, Fukuoka City will build up its basis for the diverse
exchange of people, things, and information and promote internationalization.

2. Data Collecting
There were three steps in data gathering. First, the researcher did a long list of
possible urban identities by searching from pamphlet, brochures, and information related to
tourism or places of interest from information center and tourism bureau as well as trough web
searching.
Second was to discuss the long list with some experts, academician, city planners and
urban managers in order to clarify the significant value of them. Meeting with them have
resulted a short list of urban identities.
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Third was sending mails and emails. Mails were sent to the citizens who their address
were found and selected from telephone directory, ads in local magazine, and from
snowballing method. In order to get the feeling of the urban identities, researcher did field
observation.
Last step was doing in-depth interview with variety of key persons (professionals in
planning, NPO leaders, businessmen, politicians, historians and academicians). More than 15
in Fukuoka have been interviewed. Special interviews were done with Mr. Hirotaro Yamasaki,
the Mayor of Fukuoka, and Mr. Chris Flynn, an Australian passport holder who lives in
Fukuoka for 12 years and as the author of Faces of Fukuoka. And the tentative finding of the
research in Fukuoka was presented in a seminar titles Sustaining the Fukuoka City’s Identities
held in April 24, 2002, attended by researchers, professionals, urban managers, academicians
and NPO’s leaders.

3. Analyses
As an explorative research, the analysis employed in this research is qualitative
method by describing the explored data and information in order to describe the object
systematically. From the documents and other printed materials, the content analyses method
was employed to gain a deeper understanding the problems of urban identity. All analyses
were emphasized on the searching the existing identities, understanding the problems
associated with, and the efforts of related parties to sustain the urban identities.

V. FINDINGS OF RESEARCH

1. Searching the Urban Identities in Fukuoka

In this research, the urban identities of both cities were categorized in three groups:
historical site and building, modern features, natural parks and open spaces.

1.1. Historical sites and buildings

Among the three categories, historical identities are the easiest one to identify in both
cities during the research due to the period and its interesting story of the history (Burke,
2000).
Some historical buildings in Fukuoka are known as urban identity. During the research
period, Akarenga Cultural Center, Dazaifu Temple, Fortification against the Mongolian,
Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Hakozaki Shrine, Kashii Shrine, Korokan Historical Museum, Kushida
Shrine, Rakuisen, Sholufuji Temple, Sumiyoshi Shrine, Tochoji Temple and Yasuntei Garden
were found as very impressive buildings. Asking to the citizens, among the historic sites and
buildings, Fukuoka Castle Ruins, Dazaifu, and Hakozaki Shrine are the most perceive urban
identity due to their long story and historical value and impressive architectural style.
It is a matter of a fact that those who perceived the historical features are the old
citizens. Senior citizens know very well the history and its buildings. Understanding the history,
the uniqueness of the object, familiarity with the objects are factors influence their perceive.

1.2. Modern Features

Besides the historic buildings, modern structures are also perceivable as the ciIn
Fukuoka, hundreds of high-rise buildings were built during the economic bubble in Japan since
seventies. However only 15 modern building and sites are perceived as urban identity by the
citizens during the research: Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka Asian Art
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Museum, Fukuoka City Museum, Fukuoka Tower, Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, Hakata
Riverain, Hakata Shopping Center, Hawks Town & Fukuoka Dom, Marine World
Uminonakamichi (waterfront area), Marinoa, Marizon, Nakas, Tenjin shopping center,
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (waterfront area), Prefectural Government Building, Fukuoka
Airport, Hakata Port, International Convention Center. Among those buildings, Canal City,
Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka Dome are the most perceived building in Fukuoka. When citizens
were asked why they perceive those building as urban identity, the answer was since the
buildings each has uniqueness of the shape and architectural features, attractive, large in size
or tall, impressive, well known since they very frequent to visit.
It is questionable whether those modern buildings were perceived as identities of the
cities. The huge block or cube forms, covered with glass or metal cladding, lack of local touch
have created characterless high rise building (Crowell, 1998). The architectural expressions do
not perform Fukuoka or Japanese architecture and it might have similarities with other building
in other places. The only thing they have are the large size and the glamorous appearance
made it distinctive, but to be an urban identity as perceived by citizens needs long times.

1.3. Natural Park and Open Space

In Fukuoka, 9 parks and natural areas were known as the identity of the city: Central
Park Tenjin, Fukuoka Zoological and Botanical Garden, Higashi Hirao Park (Hakata-no-Mori),
Nokonoshima Island (flowers, swim, camping), Ohori Park (lake and surrounding area),
Shikanoshima Island (water leisure activities), Waterfront area along the port of Hakata.
Among those 9 parks, Ohori Park and Nokonoshima Island are the most favorites due to the
function as open space that good for sport, nice panorama, openness that has clean and fresh
air. During the weekend and particularly when the cherry blossoms in the spring, the beautiful
panorama attracts people to spend the time for leisure, makes the strong sense of place. It is
an identity of the city.
From the questionnaires and interview during the research, historical sites and building
were chosen by senior citizens (over 55 years) and the middle age people (46-55 years), while
the young people (below 35 years) prefer to the modern features rather than the historic
features. In both cities, the strong influence of modernization on all aspects of daily life has
made the young generations pay less familiar with the historical sites and buildings that in turn
weaken its value.

2. Efforts to Sustain the Identities

It is good news that the awareness of heritage emerges among the Asia’s city
governments (Crowell, 1998). This research also found the new awareness of local
government to sustain the identity is growing although remains at the beginning.
In Fukuoka, effort to sustain the identity was found in a few documents. One of the
important one is The Seventh City Master Plan of Fukuoka in 1996 targeting the year of 2010.
The Master Plan formulizes 10 key policies, and the 5 th policy is creating an attractive culture
with Fukuoka City’s characteristics. Mr. Hirotaro Yamasaki, the Mayor of Fukuoka explained
that the city is eager to implement the Master Plan particularly the 5 th policy, to create attractive
culture with Fukuoka characteristics. The idea was instructed to Mr. Yasuda Jiro (the Manager
of Building Code Section), Mr. Yanai Takeyuki (Manager of Building Section), Mr. Ninomiya
Kiyoshi (Managers of Planning Section), and Mr. Takeshi Hirahara (Historic Preservation
Managers) to be implemented. To implement the policy, many sections in the Mayor Office
hold specific program in order to sustain the remaining urban identities. The city also tries to
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control the development that threat the existing identities particularly the historic site and
buildings as well as the open spaces. In the planning, new development will be located at the
suburban area.

3. Problems Associated with Sustaining the Identities

This research has found five major problems associated with sustaining the identities:
threat of urban development, ageing, influence of modernization, the attention of young
generation the role of planners.

3.1. Threat of Urban Development

A threat of rapid urban development on the existence of urban identity, particularly the
historic buildings and the natural parks or opened areas is clearly seen in both cities
particularly in commercial area. As a comparison, in Canada 21% of the historic and cultural
heritage has been lost or destroyed in the last 30 years by the new development. The way of
thinking of businessmen and many powerful investors are eager to make every square meter
of urban space to be a productive land. From their points of view, buildings or elements of
urban identity as well as public space are seen as idle resources that need to be changed and
developed. To acquit these spaces are easier since these areas or building mostly belong to
personal ownership, for examples the royal families or samurai family in Fukuoka. Being at the
very strategic position in the city and having a large size, the space of urban identity has great
advantages that able to attract developers to acquit. If this occurs, the next is the developers
will build commercial facilities such shopping center, mall or other economic facilities with very
extensive use of space. Finally the buildings as identity will be demolished and the open space
will change to become a commercial building.
In Tenjin area, the busiest commercial area in Fukuoka, Kego Shrine at the next of
Nishitetsu Building experiences similar with the Hindu Temple in Johor Bahru. The extensive of
development has lessened the open space makes the sense of place as urban identity is
missing gradually; the monumentality and glory of the building has gone although the temple
itself remains exist. At this point the urban identity lost the value.

3.2 The Damage of Buildings due to Ageing

Ageing is another threat on the urban identity particularly the historic buildings. Old
and historic buildings in Fukuoka are more durable due to the less humid weather. As a
wealthier city, community of Fukuoka spends enough funds to maintain their heritages as
urban identities. Fragility of traditional buildings due to ageing and lack of traditional building
skills are factor to be considered (Burke, 2000).

3.3 The Influence of Modernization

The policy of the City Government of Fukuoka to preserve the historical sites and
building is declared in the Seventh Master Plan. Realizing the urban heritage is impossible to
emerge in short times, and Japanese is known as nation who keeping the traditional culture,
the government decided to protect the historical sites by law. On the other hand, the religion
community members who taking care the site and building and sustain the cultural event and
have spent enough budget for building maintenance. As a result, the historical buildings are
well maintained, looks stronger and more durable.
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3.4 Less Attention of Young Generation

Some questions were addressed to some young people who gathered in the
underground Tenjin Shopping Center Fukuoka, asking about their concern of the Fukuoka’s
identity. Surprisingly, they answered that they didn’t know the identity of Fukuoka. When
researcher exemplified some identities such as Eiffel for Paris, Liberty for New York and the
Great Wall of China, they remained difficult to mention what the identity of Fukuoka was. When
researcher showed a list of historical sites, parks and open space of Fukuoka, they only
perceived some of them. Conversely, when a list of modern building with attractive
architecture, they interested in the Fukuoka Dome, Fukuoka Tower, and Canal City and they
perceived that buildings as urban identities.
Although the case of young people doesn’t represent the majority of young people of
Fukuoka, it was an indicator that young people pays less attention to the historical sites and
building but more familiar with the new one. A deeper research with broader populations is
required to verify perceive of young generation on their urban environment and why they pay
less attention with historical buildings. In the future, if the young generation will not care with
the historical sites and building as identity, the identity will change with the new features
(Burke, 2000; Srinivas, 2001).

3.5. Planner’s Role

Interview with some principals of city planning consultants in Fukuoka has figured the
fewer roles of planers in sustaining the urban identities. Mr. Toshiro Sato Director of Kankyo
Design Consultant and Mr. Tamai Teruhiro of ABC Research & Design Inc describe that in
general the big projects in Fukuoka belong to the investor of Tokyo. Tokyo of course selected
the planning and design consultants from Tokyo also. The limitation in times leads to
standardization in design, and the need of owners has made the result of design looked like a
large box covered with glass wall or metal cladding, has created a characterless-high rise
buildings. Planning and design were not to explore the local characters and distinctive
elements of its city. The statement of two planners was supported by argument of
academicians such as Dr. Atshushi Deguchi, Associate Professor from Kyushu University and
Mr. Yuji Morioka, Associate Professor of Department of Architecture Kyushu Sangyo
University.

VI. APPROACH TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE URBAN IDENTITY: A POLICY

IMPLICATION IN FUKUOKA

So far this paper has presented the significant of urban identities, existing identity in
Fukuoka, the effort of the community to sustain the identity and the problems associated to
sustain the urban identities. Some conclusions drawn from the research are:
 Category of urban identities might be grouped into three: historic, modern, and open
space. Among the categories, the historic site and buildings are the most perceived by
citizens as urban identities. Those remain exist in both cities due to the distinctive and
uniqueness.
 There are a lot of efforts of Fukuoka in order to sustain the identities. However,
however many major problems remain exists that need to be solved.
 A changing process and seeking the new identity are happening in both cities due to
the demand of rapid urban development. In the future, due to the influence of
globalization, modern features as new identity will appear and change gradually the
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historic and open space. However, to be perceived as urban identity it needs a

characterful design and will take long times.
 To create a distinctiveness feature, copying, importing and transferring the ideas from
outside must be avoided. Design of new feature must explore the local character as
identity. A city actually is not only a physical matter but also a place of memory.
Dealing those conclusions and bringing the case towards the sustainable urban identity, a
set of policy implications might be raised:
1. Documenting and preserving the historic buildings and sites. This is aimed to the
urban managers and academician/researchers as a starting point to bring the historical
building and site as heritage for future generations. Documentation will lead to the
legalizing the features.
2. Legal protection. In order to protect the documented historic buildings from being
destroyed by urban development, a law protection must be declared.
3. Negotiation with urban developers. Rapid urban development that followed by the
need to build a set of new infrastructure is unavoidable. However, urban identity is also
one of the prime-mover of tourism that in turn will generate the economic development
of the city. It makes sense to build a negotiation with the developers as win-win
solution: economic development in balance with building the identity.
4. Strengthening the role of urban planners and academicians. They could play very
strategic position in sustaining the identities through their works and creation. They
need more vocal as their responsibility to create an urban environment by empowering
their institution or organization.
5. Building the awareness of community. Although some communities groups have pay
much attention to the urban identity, there is still a low awareness of community to
sustain the identities. A community-based program must be built to involve the
community that in turn will build their responsibility.
6. Enhancing the understanding of young people trough education. The fact that young
generation pays less attention on their urban heritage is a reason to educate young
generation to aware their identities. Through the curriculum, the important of identity
may be introduced.
7. Creating a distinctive cultural event to strengthen the historical sites. One of the
attractive elements to invite tourists is cultural event as an integrative party of the
identity itself. People are traveling across the country because of the need to enjoy the
uniqueness of a site. Placing the cultural event in the historic site or building will
strengthen the value as urban identities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research was funded by Asian Public Intellectuals Programs (API) 2002-2003 of
Nippon Foundation. To the management of Nippon Foundation, API, IKMAS as Coordinating
Institutions, I would like to express my greatest appreciation. This research has not been
completed without the facilities provided by Urban Research Center (URC) Fukuoka and the
kindness of the director, managers and all staffs; for those may I express my greatest
gratitude. My special thanks go to Mr. Sinichi Baba who prepared everything in Fukuoka and
support my research successfully. I will never forget the kindness of those people.
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