As of 2024, subways are in operation in 54 cities across China. In particular, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, has seen phenomenal progress in subway construction, with a total of 14 lines opening since the opening of Line 1 in 2010. Its total length is approximately 602 km, making it the fourth longest subway system in China, after Shanghai (approximately 865 km), Beijing (approximately 836 km), and Guangzhou (approximately 642 km), indicating that it is an area with considerable potential.
Chengdu East Station TOD, the largest station in the southwestern district of Chengdu, will be renovated underground beneath its existing plaza to connect it to the surrounding city blocks, thereby improving the station's convenience, alleviating traffic congestion in the surrounding area, and creating a more vibrant atmosphere.
Commuting in Chengdu was once common by private car, but due to worsening traffic congestion, there has been a shift towards using the subway. In China, where subway transfers were often inconvenient, there has been a demand for "Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)," which involves integrated development with commercial facilities and other amenities to facilitate smooth transfers and improve convenience. On August 27, 2019, Nikken Sekkei and Chengdu Rail Transit Group, a railway company in Sichuan Province, China, established a joint venture company, "Nikken Sekkei (Chengdu) Urban Design Consulting," to build and develop a new TOD business model in China. Chengdu Rail Transit Group is a company that has contributed to the development of urban transportation networks, mainly subways, in Chengdu, a major national city. Nikken Sekkei was selected as a partner to further promote TOD.
The purpose of the establishment is to create a business model that involves developing railway lines in the same way as major private railway companies in Japan, concentrating commercial facilities and residences around stations and undertaking mixed-use development, and using the business profits to fund subway construction and operation. In the future, we envision a bold plan to expand TOD not only in Chengdu but throughout China. Looking back, 2017, when Nikken Sekkei entered the Chengdu market, was a time when expectations for subway network concepts were rising, mainly in major metropolitan areas across China. In Chengdu, too, there was an atmosphere of actively wanting to absorb the experience and technology of Japanese urban development, which has created highly efficient and comfortable living environments based on well-developed public transportation like that of Tokyo and Osaka. Our connection with Chengdu deepened the following year, 2018. After winning first place in the "Chengdu North Station International Competition," we began receiving requests from the Chengdu municipal government to guide TOD inspection tours in Japan and explain the development process. These led to the establishment of the joint venture in 2019.
Since its establishment, the company has steadily increased its track record of contracted projects, and with the support of Chengdu Rail Transit Group, it is now receiving a steady stream of new orders in Chongqing, Taizhou, Hohhot, Suzhou, and other cities. Moving forward, the company will continue to work towards the widespread adoption and realization of TOD (Transportation-Oriented Dock) in Japan, while addressing changes in the social environment and new urban issues within China.
The purpose of establishing the joint venture Nikken Sekkei (Chengdu) Urban Design Consulting is to primarily provide consulting services for the planning and development of comprehensive railway station development projects. This marks Nikken Sekkei's first joint venture in its 119-year history.
This project involves the redevelopment of the area around Chengdu North Station, a major transportation hub in southwestern China. The plan is to expand the pedestrian network through existing platforms, creating a dynamic vertical line connecting underground and above ground levels to enhance convenience.
The redevelopment of the area around Luomashi Station in the heart of Chengdu aims to create "One Luomashi Station," incorporating surrounding city blocks and drawing inspiration from the urban development model of Shibuya.
