Why do people choose to inhabit spaces? Lessons from Japan
In cities around the world, the success of public, retail, and mixed-use environments increasingly depends on one simple question: why do people choose to inhabit certain spaces?
In this Insight Paper, Loretta Collins, Associate Director at Chapman Taylor, explores this question through the lens of Japanese urban design. Drawing on insights from a recent study trip across Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, Loretta examines how subtle spatial cues, comfort, interactivity, sensory engagement, and opportunities for social connection encourage people not just to visit but to linger, explore, and connect.
Her reflections, captured in “Why do people choose to inhabit spaces? Lessons from Japan,” offer valuable lessons for architects and designers shaping the next generation of retail, leisure, and mixed-use environments. These places thrive not because of what they sell, but because of how they make people feel.
Engagement Through Interaction
Interactive features spark curiosity and invite participation. At Expo 2025 Osaka, mirrored pavilions drew crowds eager to capture their reflections. At Shibuya Sky, a mirrored wall provides the perfect selfie backdrop against the city skyline. Oversized signage in public spaces becomes a playful focal point, encouraging photography and social media sharing. A landscape of mounds and nets offered a more organic interpretation of a playground. Interactive art and immersive exhibits turn simple circulation into engaging exploration.
Comfort and Rest
Comfort and playful seating encourage people to pause and linger. Net hammock seating at Shibuya Sky lets visitors relax while enjoying the view, while rooftop terraces at Namba Parks in Osaka and Miyashita Park in Tokyo offer grass, trees, and flexible seating.
Shade and shelter, from pergolas to tree cover, transform circulation paths into social hubs, and a variety of micro spaces, from intimate corners to open communal areas, gives visitors choice in how they engage.
At Namba Parks, gently sloping ramps guide visitors past terraced greenery, stepped seating, and small nooks, creating moments of discovery and interaction. Amphitheatre style seating encourages observation, conversation, and informal performance, adding layers of engagement across the terraces.
Perspective and Observation
Elevated viewpoints naturally draw attention. The Grand Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka is a circular walkway offering sweeping views of the exhibition site, the city, and Osaka Bay. Shibuya Sky offers panoramic 360-degree views of Tokyo, allowing visitors to connect with the cityscape from above. These elevated paths turn circulation into an experience, while bold forms and unexpected perspectives invite exploration and engagement.
Sensory and Social Anchors
In cities around the world, the success of public, retail, and mixed-use environments increasingly depends on one simple question: why do people choose to inhabit certain spaces?
In this Insight Paper, Loretta Collins, Associate Director at Chapman Taylor, explores this question through the lens of Japanese urban design. Drawing on insights from a recent study trip across Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, Loretta examines how subtle spatial cues, comfort, interactivity, sensory engagement, and opportunities for social connection encourage people not just to visit but to linger, explore, and connect.
Her reflections, captured in “Why do people choose to inhabit spaces? Lessons from Japan,” offer valuable lessons for architects and designers shaping the next generation of retail, leisure, and mixed-use environments. These places thrive not because of what they sell, but because of how they make people feel.
Engagement Through Interaction
Interactive features spark curiosity and invite participation. At Expo 2025 Osaka, mirrored pavilions drew crowds eager to capture their reflections. At Shibuya Sky, a mirrored wall provides the perfect selfie backdrop against the city skyline. Oversized signage in public spaces becomes a playful focal point, encouraging photography and social media sharing. A landscape of mounds and nets offered a more organic interpretation of a playground. Interactive art and immersive exhibits turn simple circulation into engaging exploration.
Comfort and Rest
Comfort and playful seating encourage people to pause and linger. Net hammock seating at Shibuya Sky lets visitors relax while enjoying the view, while rooftop terraces at Namba Parks in Osaka and Miyashita Park in Tokyo offer grass, trees, and flexible seating.
Shade and shelter, from pergolas to tree cover, transform circulation paths into social hubs, and a variety of micro spaces, from intimate corners to open communal areas, gives visitors choice in how they engage.
At Namba Parks, gently sloping ramps guide visitors past terraced greenery, stepped seating, and small nooks, creating moments of discovery and interaction. Amphitheatre style seating encourages observation, conversation, and informal performance, adding layers of engagement across the terraces.
Perspective and Observation
Elevated viewpoints naturally draw attention. The Grand Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka is a circular walkway offering sweeping views of the exhibition site, the city, and Osaka Bay. Shibuya Sky provides panoramic 360 degree views of Tokyo, allowing visitors to connect with the urban landscape from above. These elevated paths turn circulation into an experience, while bold forms and unexpected perspectives invite exploration and engagement.
Sensory and Social Anchors
Engaging multiple senses transforms spaces into environments people want to inhabit. Lighting, sound, and background music can influence how people move through and engage with a space. Small cafés or food kiosks provide social anchors, inviting visitors to pause and interact.
Nishiki Market in Kyoto offers vibrant colours, sizzling street food, strong aromas, and warm lantern lighting, creating a lively, immersive environment. Miyashita Park in Tokyo uses glowing signage and traditional paper lanterns at ground floor restaurants to enhance the evening atmosphere, turning dining into a social and sensory experience.
Conclusion
People linger in spaces that balance comfort, curiosity, and social connection. Observations from Japan, from elevated viewpoints at Expo 2025 Osaka and Shibuya Sky to layered terraces at Namba Parks and the sensory richness of Nishiki Market, show how subtle design cues influence dwell time. As retail and mixed use environments evolve, the challenge is to create spaces that engage people beyond transactions, fostering exploration, interaction, and meaningful experiences.