2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land - 43

Waseda University Team Wins ULI Hines
Student Competition for Asia Pacific Region
the wInners of the second ULI
Hines Student Competition for the
Asia Pacific region faced a dual
challenge: create a compelling
urban development proposal and
follow in the footsteps of classmates
who won the inaugural contest.
Team
Caplico's victory this year
marks the second win for Japan's
Waseda University since the competition
expanded to Asia Pacific
in 2023.
Over three weeks, 27 teams
from across the region devised a
comprehensive development proposal
to transform Tokyo's former
Tsukiji Fish Market into a thriving,
mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhood.
A jury of six regional
and local industry leaders selected
five finalist teams and ultimately
awarded first prize to Team
Caplico-a decision announced
at the ULI Asia Pacific Summit in
Tokyo.
The team consisted of three
graduate students pursuing master
of architecture degrees-Yuki
Tominaga, Yungju Hsieh, and team
leader Koki Yano-and Yunwoo
Ryu, an undergraduate pursuing
a bachelor of international liberal
studies degree with a major in sociology.
Their
winning proposal, titled
The BioChem Frontier, reimagines
From left: Ray Lawler,
Hines CEO for Asia Pacific;
Yungju Hsieh, Yunwoo
Ryu, Koki Yano, and Yuki
Tominaga, representing the
winning team from Waseda
University; and Alan Beebe,
ULI Asia Pacific CEO, at
the 2024 ULI Asia Pacific
Summit in Tokyo.
the site as an innovation hub and
well-connected tourist destination.
The plan would elevate Japan as a
dynamic ecosystem for biochemistry
start-ups while tackling the
challenges of an aging population
through research initiatives. In conceptualizing
The BioChem Frontier,
Team Caplico took inspiration
from the Kashiwanoha Smart City
project in Japan, the pedestrianfriendly
streets of Europe, and the
thriving start-up ecosystem of San
Francisco.
" We're thankful for the opportunity
to put our theoretical knowledge
to the test with a real-world
site, which helped us gain a deeper
understanding ... of urban design
and redevelopment, " the team said.
Throughout the hands-on exercise,
the team discovered the
significance of each step in the
development process.
" I was able to learn that every
zoning, spacing, and design needs
[its] own reason and evidence,
while trying to find the best option
in the given space, " said Yunwoo
Ryu.
The team members at times
found themselves at odds over
how the site should function, such
as whether to make it car-free. But
according to Yungju Hsieh, they
always let the overall vision guide
their decisions.
" I think the most difficult challenge
is to realize the concept of
vision in spatial design, " she said.
" In the end, we ... thought about
how to design it in a way that
would best fit the vision's goals. "
Leaders of both Hines and ULI
say the experience gained and
lessons learned will serve participants-and
the industry-well.
" This competition offers a promising
glimpse into our next generation
of real estate leaders, and
highlights the importance of fostering
creativity and collaboration
in the pursuit of sustainable urban
development, which is a key priority
for ULI, " said Alan Beebe, ULI
Asia Pacific chief executive officer.
" Young people are demanding
more sustainable futures, " added
Ray Lawler, Hines chief executive
officer for Asia Pacific, who
served on the jury. " This competition
provides an ideal platform to
inspire them to make that happen.
We're privileged to be a part of
this and to be equally inspired by
the brightest young minds-the
next generation of real estate leaders-to
address key issues and
build more sustainable communities
together. "
With two consecutive victories
notched by Waseda University
teams, future competitors from the
school will have a strong legacy to
uphold-as well as role models to
emulate.
" I am certain that, next year, our
successors from our lab will also
participate, " Yuki Tominaga said.
" I hereby apologize for the pressure
we are putting on them. Good
luck! "
JACK MORRISEY is ULI director of executive
communications and is based in Chicago.
SUMMER 202 4
URBAN LAND
43
AWARD WINNERS
ULI
2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land

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