2015 Volume 38 Issue 2 Pages 45-52
The purpose of this paper is to disclose the trend of population re-centralization of metropolitan areas in prefectural capitals using ‘Population Share Potential.’ Based on the concept of population potential, “Population Share Potential” can be calculated by inserting the population share of a metropolitan area, instead of the actual population, in the population potential formula. The results show that although urban sprawl was predominant in the greater metropolitan areas mainly before 1995, re-centralization was observed some greater metropolitan areas between 1995 and 2000. The recentralization trend grew rapidly between 2000 and 2005, and expanded to local metropolitan areas between 2005 and 2010. On the other hand, the trend was weak overall in the prefectural capitals located in Chubu and Hokuriku areas, suggesting some regional differences. Recent evaluation of relative population distribution shows re-centralization in many local metropolitan areas.
