The removal of the Umeda Cargo line produces a unique opportunity for the urban development of Osaka. Presently the borough of Kita is torn apart by infrastructure and the gap of Umeda Cargo station generates several discontinued networks, considerable changes in land value in short ranges as well as an underdeveloped riverside.

The project is proposed to reposition Umeda and Hankyu station underground and lets Hankyu station stretch beneath JR Osaka station in order to minimize transfer times between the different railway networks.

On top of the new Hankyu station large programs such as a mediatèque, a congress centre, shopping and office spaces are placed. This complex is accessible to the 2.5 million travellers, who use Hankyu station below the complex and JR Osaka in front of it daily. The area in front of JR Osaka station acts in extension of Yotsubashi suji as a second south-north axis connecting the riverside to the area of Chuo. The area formerly occupied by Umeda station can now be developed in extension of the surrounding urban areas.

A discontinuous urban area is therefore replaced by a new continuous layer of urban spaces characterized by heterogenous programmatic composition and a variety of architectural typologies and patterns. Aided by its increased permeability and connectivity, by its mix of complementary programs as well as the continuous flow of passengers the former Umeda Cargo Station has the potential of becoming a lively urban epicentre which positively impacts its immediately surroundings as well as the whole city of Osaka.