Will “Roads” Save the Corona Disaster Shopping District? How to Maximize Effectiveness with Awnings and Subsidies

A new remedy has been created for shopping districts and restaurants struggling with the effects of the new coronavirus. Roads x awnings x subsidies” may be the key to overcoming their woes. Simply put, the new system has eased standards for stores to use street space, and by putting up tents and awnings, stores can easily expand their space without the need for three-density spaces. Furthermore, the use of subsidies means that the actual costs will be limited. We have organized the Corona Special Exception for Road Occupancy, awnings, and subsidies. This is especially interesting for those involved in local government and shopping districts.

Utilization of Roads May Save Shopping Districts and Restaurants from Corona Recession

From the viewpoint of preventing the spread of the new coronavirus, the public has been urged to avoid the so-called “three densities” in all places and situations. This has had a significant impact on shopping areas, restaurants, and other businesses that have always been densely populated, with sales per square meter decreasing dramatically due to “thinning” of seats to maintain a certain level of spacing. Consumers also want to enjoy eating, drinking, and shopping as before, but are refraining from such activities due to concerns about infection.

Both stores and consumers are increasingly demanding “a safer space to eat, drink, and shop,” and the “use of roads” has attracted attention as a way to achieve this.

What is the Corona Special Exception for Road Occupancy (Corona Occupancy Special Exception)?

In order to support shopping areas and restaurants that have been severely affected by the new Corona virus, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has relaxed the permit criteria for “road occupancy” for stores to use roads for terrace business and take-out sales. This is the “Corona Special Exception for Road Occupancy (Corona Occupancy Special Exception).

Starting in June 2020, the national roads under the direct jurisdiction of the MLIT will be eased in terms of the permission criteria for road occupancy, and at the same time, a letter was issued requesting each local public body to consider similar measures. As a result, as of January 2021, more than 150 municipalities nationwide have confirmed that they have applied for this special exception, and the number of occupancy permits has increased to about 360 nationwide.

One of the conditions is that the application must be made by the local government, not by individual stores, and that the stores must be occupied en bloc. Individual stores are supposed to consult with local authorities in their area upon request. Other details (points) can be found in the table below.

(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism data )

Examples of "Corona Occupancy Special Exception" in Japan

Efforts to use roads and sidewalks to enliven restaurants and shopping districts have begun across Japan as part of the “Corona Occupancy Special Exception,” and they are proving to be very popular.
Some of them are introduced below. (*All images and information are from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism )

• Muroran City, Hokkaido “#Muroran Street Use Operation”.
• MIYA Street Design Terrace, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan
• Gaito Stand, Taito-ku, Tokyo
• Mitaka Terra Street, Mitaka City, Tokyo
• Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture “Operation Machiba Engawa
• Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture “Machinaka Open Terrace
• Open Street Ube, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Muroran City, Hokkaido "#Muroran Street Use Operation".

• Six organizations and about 34 stores are participating (as of October 26).
• The project will be implemented along a 1.5-kilometer section of the Muroran Chuo Dori Line and other city roads (Chuo-machi and Nakajima-machi, Muroran City, Hokkaido).

MIYA Street Design Terrace, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan

• 23 stores are participating (as of October 28)
• A total of 9 routes (6 city roads (Symbol Road, etc.), 2 prefectural roads (Utsunomiya Nasu Karasuyama Line, etc.), and 1 national road (Route 119)) were set as target areas on the initiative of the city.

Gaito Stand, Taito-ku, Tokyo

• 4 organizations and 23 stores are participating (as of November 5)
• The project will be implemented along a 1.1 km section of Ueno and Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, including Nakamachi-dori Street (No. 102 under the ward road).

Mitaka Terra Street, Mitaka City, Tokyo

• 3 organizations and 9 stores are participating (as of November 4)
• Implemented along Shinjuku-Kunitachi Route (Tohachi Road), City Road No. 130, and City Roads No. 57 and 135 (Shimorenjaku 3-chome, Inokashira 1-chome, and Shinkawa 3-chome, Mitaka City, Tokyo)

Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture "Operation Machiba Engawa

• 7 organizations and 59 stores are participating (as of October 26)
• Implemented along Route 143, Honmachi-dori and Ise-machi-dori (city street) (Chuo 1-chome and 2-chome, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture)

Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture "Machinaka Open Terrace

• 37 stores are participating (as of October 28)
• The city of Hamamatsu has taken the initiative in establishing 9 routes, including Route 152, Route 257, and Denma Asahi Route 1 (Tamachi, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, etc.), as target areas for its own social experiment.

Open Street Ube, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

• 21 stores are participating (as of October 26)
• After the city took the initiative in establishing Heiwa-dori, Kogushi-dori, and Kotobashi-dori (city roads, Matsushima-cho, Chuo-cho, and Aioi-cho, Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) as target areas and started as a unique social experiment, the same special measures as in Japan were institutionalized and implemented on National Road No. 190.

For continued use of the road after the Corona Occupancy Special Exception ends.

国土交通省の調べによると、コロナ専用特例を活用している占用主体の約60％は特例期限の終了後も継続的な道路の活用を希望しています。この実現のために「ほこみち制度」という新しい制度が生まれ、この新制度への移行を推進する動きが始まりました。

2021年4月現在、二度の期間延長によってコロナ占用特例の期間は2021年9月30日まで延長が決まっており、国土交通省と全国の道路管理者とが連携を強化しながら、特例から新制度への移行を支援しています。

What is the Pedestrian Convenience Road (Hokomichi) System?

The Road Law was amended in 2020 to establish a system that relaxes the standards for restaurants and shopping areas to occupy roads. This is called the “Pedestrian Convenience Promoting Road (commonly known as “hokomichi”)” system. (Enacted in November)
The impact of the new coronavirus has created new needs for stores and consumers. New ways of utilizing roads have come to be desired, such as “using road space to revitalize the city” and “putting cafes and benches on the sidewalks to create a space where people can stay and relax,” using spaces such as roads and sidewalks that can avoid the three densities.

The Road Law has been revised to facilitate the creation of such road spaces, and a new system of “roads for enhanced pedestrian convenience (commonly known as “hokomichi”)” has been established. This system allows shopping malls and roadside restaurants to use roads and sidewalks without paying occupancy fees under certain conditions. By utilizing the Corona Occupancy Special Exception and the Hokomichi system, shopping streets and restaurants now have more possibilities to overcome the Corona Disaster.

(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism data )

Restaurants and shopping malls can use "business restructuring subsidies".

If you are thinking, “I know awnings are good, but I can’t raise the money to buy them…,” consider taking advantage of the “Business Restructuring Subsidy. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Small and Medium Enterprise Agency) has established a subsidy program to support small and medium-sized businesses suffering from the corona disaster. In response to recent economic changes, the program aims to encourage structural transformation of the Japanese economy by supporting business restructuring of small and medium-sized enterprises, etc. Small and medium-sized enterprises, sole proprietorships, and corporate associations that meet certain conditions are eligible for this program. For example, a company can receive subsidies of up to 2/3 of the subsidy rate, ranging from 1 million yen to 60 million yen, on the condition that the company’s sales in the last six months have decreased by 10% or more compared to the pre-Corona period. For details, please refer to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website.
＞ Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry “Business Restructuring Subsidy” website By installing awnings with this subsidy, restaurants and shopping malls can implement Corona measures using the Hokomichi system with minimal burden. (Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry data )

What is an "awning" essential to the use of hokomichi? Foldable eaves and terraces for stores

Awnings are indispensable for restaurants and shopping areas to utilize “hokomichi”. Awning is a word that means sunshade or shelter from rain, and refers to the part of the eave extending outward from the eaves of a store. Awnings are often used for terrace seating in restaurants, and are beginning to attract renewed attention in the Corona Disaster because they create a space between the outdoors and the indoors. Awnings are indispensable for restaurants and shopping areas to use the streets and sidewalks under the Hohomichi system, and their introduction offers the following advantages.

Advantages of using awnings, eaves, and terraces for restaurants and shopping areas

Even if a street or sidewalk can be used as a space, if it is not comfortable for the users, it will not lead to sales. The most important factor in ensuring comfort is the existence of a “roof,” and awnings are the most efficient way to fulfill the role of a roof in this temporary space.

Rain and sun protection to make use of the location.

A roof provides a greater range of weather protection. Even in the event of a little rain or strong summer sun, the awning will prevent this and keep the user comfortable.

Can be installed without building application

Depending on the method of installation and the type of awning, it may be possible to install the awning without requiring a building application under the Building Standards Law. The impact of this flexibility and convenience on the use of temporary spaces is enormous.

Can be put away when not in use

There are various types of awnings, including folding sunshade, wall-mounted, propped, and tent-like freestanding awnings, many of which can be folded closed or stored when not in use.

Convenient to entrust Taiyo Kogyo with the addition of awnings, terraces, and awnings.

If you want an awning, terrace, or tent, but don’t know where to ask for help, it is convenient to consult with Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, a long-established membrane materials company that has been in business for 100 years.

Taiyo Kogyo is the world’s leading company in membrane structures with many construction achievements, including the Tokyo Dome. The company handles all processes from product development and sales to installation, various applications, and after-sales care. You can also request a one-stop consultation service for awnings and terraces.

summary

The Corona Occupancy Special Exception and Hohomichi System have created new Corona countermeasure possibilities for shopping streets and roadside restaurants. Shopping district officials and local government officials are encouraged to take advantage of these systems, install awnings with minimal burden using subsidies, and consider new approaches to road use. For awning installation, please contact Taiyo Kogyo, a one-stop service provider from product supply, installation, application, to after-sales service.