In response to an increasing emphasis on creating walkable cities, construction of condominiums has surged in central Takasaki since 2000. Large condominiums, each comprising over 200 units—a scale that never existed before—have been built near the railway station, with some properties priced over 100 million yen. Conversely, relatively inexpensive detached houses have been developed in suburban areas, gaining popularity among families with children who are in the process of asset accumulation. These homes compete with centrally located condominiums. As regional cities face population declines, some municipalities are relaxing location restrictions in suburban areas and developing new housing sites to sustain current population levels. The challenge remains how to craft a living environment that supports demographic shifts and an aging population without excessively dispersing residential functions to the suburbs.
(Photograph & Explanation: Hideto SATOH)
