SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLANNING OF MOUNTAINOUS AREA’S MUNICIPALITY IN OKUIZUMO TOWN OF SHIMANE PREFECTURE (PART 1)：DEVELOPMENT AND REORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY FACILITIES, AND PROMOTION AFTER HEISEI PERIOD MERGER OF TWO TOWNS

Abstract

Okuizumo Town comprised the Nita and Yokota towns that were merged in 2005, during the Heisei period. Its current population is 13,063, and this continues to decline. Furthermore, the number of elementary and junior high school students is less than 25% of that in 1970. This town has been developing the two central areas by integrating junior high schools etc., while promoting seven villages by constructing agricultural facilities and maintaining elementary schools. This study clarifies the history and current situation of public utility facilities for the Minari/Yokota of central area, and situation of maintaining dispersion for facilities in village districts.