2006 Volume 57 Issue 11 Pages 761-774
This study aims to investigate the living conditions in remote suburban residential areas in the Kansai region, and chose Haibara-cho in Nara Prefecture. The focus of the study were the family structure as well as the residential location patterns between generations. It was found that approximately 10% of lots in the residential areas of Haibara-cho were not utilized while 5% of the houses built were left vacant. The residents had seldom moved in or out, resulting in stagnation of the residential areas. It is to be noted that the rate of home repair was low. As to the pattern of the generational living conditions, the pronounced feature is the fact that married children had their homes a long distance away from their parents. As the areas under study are remote from urban centers, there is a strong tendency for children to leave the areas, and a predictable trend of the future family structure in these areas will be an increase of households of aged couples or elderly singles. While the natural environment is rich, the areas have abundant slopes and the homes are generally distant from railway stations, presenting the residents strong anxiety over spending their later years there. Moreover, there is a shortage of local facilities providing food supply, medical treatment and welfare support. Furthermore, in remote areas such as these, it would be quite difficult for females to hold continuous employment. Such being the case, it will be necessary to provide the infrastructure for improved living conditions or sustainable residential areas. In other words, the areas should be remodeled to provide ease for the elderlies such as, for example, introduction of omnibus taxis and making grocery stores available within walking distance as well as providing local facilities where the increasing number of elderies can join in various activities.
