2005 Volume 60 Issue 2 Pages 65-89
There are many people involved in urban redevelopment, and their expectations and opinions are reflected in the plan and the process. Urban redevelopment is an action that reconstructs a place not only spatially but also socially, and therefore the social aspects of urban redevelopment must be considered as part of any analysis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the social significance of the urban redevelopment in the Ueroku area, Osaka City. This study focuses on the community in this area which began from a black market that was formed by illegal residents immediately after the Pacific War. Although the Osaka City Government attempted to enforce a land readjustment in this area, instead of leaving, the residents were determined to develop the community and enforce an urban redevelopment by themselves. This study deals with three relevant periods : the formation of the community before the residents' attempt at urban redevelopment, the period of enforcement of the redevelopment, and following the completion of the redevelopment. This study surveyed the process of community formation, the evolution of the relationship between the residents and the government, the change in land owners in this area, and the residents' statements on the redevelopment and the area. The following significant outcomes resulted from the redevelopment : (1) The residents of this area achieved a greater level of social stability as a result of acquiring land ownership. In addition, they were recognized to be rightful occupants by the government and the public. (2) The government determined that it could resolve postwar problems such as the enforcement of land readjustment, and the settlement of unlawful occupancy. (3) It was an example of urban redevelopment under community leadership illustrating the factors necessary to achieve success with such redevelopments. In these circumstances, the urban redevelopment in this area can be considered to have directly benefited the residents.
