Problems of Spongy Urban Areas from the Perspective of Geography

Abstract

This study reviewed recent trends in research on spongy urban areas and the interim report of the Urban Planning Basic Problem Subcommittee of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The problem points in terms of spongy urban areas are organized from the perspective of geography. The actual conditions of spongy urban areas in Japanese cities have not been clarified. Although the urban facility location plan calls for their creation within the boundaries of metropolitan areas, it is necessary for spongy urban areas to be supported at the block level. I suggest an approach using multiple-scale viewpoints from the perspective of geography for the development of spongy urban areas using the boundaries of metropolitan areas.