A GIS Analysis of Population Decrease in Mountainous Regions of Shimane

— How to develop GIS Database of Small Communities for Rural Planning —

Abstract

This paper aims to make clear that the geographical tendency of population decrease in mountainous regions in Shimane Prefecture in recent years. Based on the data about small community population, road network and municipal offices, GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis indicates more peripheral parts of the regions show greater decrease of population and households as well as higher aged population rates. In order to adapt to these transition of regional population structure, it is necessary to build new sustainable management system in which GIS is considered to be a very promising planning tool.