The Evolution of Swimming Practices in Tokyo's Waterways and Its Implications for Urban Life Today

Student Report (2025)
Author(s)

H. Noguchi (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)

Contributor(s)

Carola Hein – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)

Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
More Info
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Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Graduation Date
17-04-2025
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Project
['AR2A011']
Programme
['Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences']
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment
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Abstract

Tokyo’s waterways, once integral to the city’s cultural and urban life, have undergone significant changes over time. In the Edo period (1603–1868) and up to the Taisho period (1912–1926), rivers were a central feature of cultural activities, including swimming. However, as urbanization and industrialization progressed, these practices largely disappeared. This thesis aims to explore the historical evolution of swimming in Tokyo’s rivers, investigating its role in shaping urban life and cultural identity.

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