How Can Cities Be Compacted? Logic and Reality of the Location Normalization Plan

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify how Japanese cities have changed under the Location Normalization Plan and whether the change can be evaluated as “compacting.” The Location Normalization Plan was institutionalized as a framework to guide urban functions to the center of compact cities. In metropolitan areas where the plan has been implemented, the improvement of the city center living environment is an important issue, as urban functions such as welfare and medical care are being guided to relocate to city centers. On the other hand, public facilities are being guided and restructured in the centers of local cities. In the future, the key to acheiving compact cities will not only be the distribution of urban functions based on the Location Normalization Plan, but also the increase in the residential population through the sharing of lifestyles among local communities.