The commodification of rural space with the restructuring of urban farming in the urban fringe of Tokyo metropolis

a case study of the Sunagawa area, Tachikawa city

Abstract

This research focuses on the restructuring of urban farming and describes the local impacts of commodification of rural space, using the Sunagawa area in Tachikawa City as an example. This research focuses on the direct marketing of farm products by farm produce shops.  The types of farm produce shops in an area are considered to reflect the degree of farm restructuring and of the commodification of rural space. In response to continuous urban expansion and diversification of urban residents’ needs, there has been a shift from the traditional type of farm produce shops towards more complex types.