「滑走路でも作るのか」かつては笑われた“御堂筋”　大阪の象徴的通りへと変貌とげた約90年を懐かしい映像と共に…

Midosuji, an iconic street that could be considered the face of Osaka and the Kansai region, stretches approximately 4 km and runs north-south through the heart of Osaka City. Originally, Midosuji was only about 6 meters wide. However, during the Taisho era, the then-mayor of Osaka issued a grand directive stating that it should have "a width and appearance befitting the central thoroughfare of Greater Osaka." In 1937, a road exceeding 40 meters in width was completed—so wide that citizens jokingly asked, "Are they building a runway?" The symbolic ginkgo trees were already planted, and even back then, the street was designed with the landscape in mind, including the elimination of utility poles. Incidentally, the Midosuji subway line was also completed around the same time. This photo shows the vehicles being transported during construction. If you look closely, you can see that they are being transported by oxen! It was truly an incredible construction project of a remarkable era. Since then, Midosuji has become a major artery attracting many people. It has also been used as a venue for public relations and promotion. The Osaka Prefectural Police Rangers were tightrope walkers, traversing a rope from the rooftop of Daimaru department store to a building across Midosuji Avenue. They were apparently demonstrating their skills to showcase their daily activities. The crowds filling the street were protesting against the Vietnam War. Approximately 6,000 people participated. The demonstration ended in a brawl with the police, resulting in the arrest of 12 students, and the protest dispersed after four hours. Among those visiting Midosuji Avenue was this person… It was Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who had successfully completed the first manned space flight the previous year. He famously said, "The Earth was blue," but what color did Midosuji Avenue appear to him in May, packed with so many people? The first-ever professional baseball parade was also held on Midosuji Avenue. It was held to commemorate the Nankai Hawks' championship victory. Later, the Hanshin Tigers' victory parade also took place, making it a place where tens of thousands of people reveled in the joyous celebrations. On the other hand, as a major transportation artery, traffic volume increased. Despite this, there was apparently no traffic light next to Takashimaya department store along Midosuji… Instead of a traffic light, a small yellow flag was installed at the request of citizens. People apparently wave this flag to cross the street, which seems quite dangerous. In 1970, with the completion of Shin-Midosuji and Chuo-dori in time for the Osaka World Expo, traffic congestion on Midosuji worsened. Therefore, it was switched to the one-way system that remains in place today. As a gathering place for people and a transportation hub, Midosuji became a major commercial center, attracting the headquarters of financial institutions and corporate offices. Over time, Midosuji became a street lined with luxury brand stores. This was actually related to the economic crisis of the 1990s. Following the so-called "bubble economy collapse," luxury brand stores opened in the vacant spaces left by bank and other street-level shops. The opening of Chanel's store in 1996 marked the beginning of Midosuji's rise to become a street lined with luxury brand shops. To accommodate the changing urban functions, building height restrictions, previously limited to approximately 31 meters, were relaxed, and now buildings along the street are commonly over 50 meters tall. And here is the future vision for Osaka's symbolic street: Osaka City Mayor Ichiro Matsui (2022) "Paris's Champs-Élysées" The Champs-Élysées, the world-famous boulevard stretching straight towards the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, is being modeled after this global tourist destination lined with numerous cafes and brand shops. The transformation will shift from a car-centric road to a pedestrian-centric space. Beginning with the conversion of sidewalks into pedestrian walkways, a social experiment is underway, including the deployment of food trucks and the creation of comfortable spaces for people to enjoy meals. Midosuji Avenue aims to become a fully pedestrianized street by 2037, its 100th anniversary. How will this main street connecting Osaka's bustling downtown areas, Kita and Minami, transform amidst the ever-changing urban landscape? ▼Featured videos, in-depth explanations, and the latest news delivered daily Subscribe here:    / @ytv_news   ▼Yomiuri TV News https://www.ytv.co.jp/press/ ▼Kansai Information Net ten. X (Former Twitter)   / ytvnewsten   Website: https://www.ytv.co.jp/ten/ Instagram:   / ytv.ten   Facebook:   / ytvten   ▼Information Live Miyaneya https://www.ytv.co.jp/miyaneya/ ▼News Zigzag X (Former Twitter) https://x.com/ytvzigzag Website: https://w...