Study on Current Idears of Green Space Conservation in Cities (1)

Conservation Theories in the Spring Era

Abstract

Three streams of idears on“green space conservation” were appeared during the period 1915-1919. The first one is a series of tendancy originated by construction of Nleiji shrine. That is, T. Hongo completed planting method based on ecological aspects, and applied it for planting inside the forest of the Shrine. Then landscape architecture were lectured in Faculty of Agriculture of University of Tokyo.
The second one was represented by Histric Spot, Beauty Spot and Natural Monument Conservation Law for which M. Miyoshi made a great effort in its establishment. Around that time Musashino Sociaty was estabtiished contributing to preservation of Metropolitan surburbs.
The third one was seen in City Planning Law. That is, parks were not only regarded as one of the facilities in a city, but also regulated as scenic zones backed up by the idea on green space conservation. It was City Research Committee chaired by S. Goto that made an effort to establish the above Laws and promote the green space theory. During the period H. Ikeda's “Free Space Theory” was appeared in the technical magagin Toshi koron and its theory by T. Tamura, R. Ohya and K. Takei was also appeared in it. Moreover, K. Ohta and T. Kitamura were the first persons to use the term.“Green Space.”
In Sept. of 1923, terriblily big earthquake destroyed the Kanto area resulting in burned out of 380, 000 houses and 80, 000 dead victims of it. For restoration of the Tokyo City, Research Committee submitted the large scaled reconstruction plan, however the plan was reduced in scale because of financial difficulty. Therefore, the chance to improve city circumstance by the introduction of green space was lost in spite of the social recognition concerning the effect of green space in term of prevention of disnster