Studies on Current Idears of Green Space Conservation in Cities (3)

Conservation Theories in the Disordered Period after the War

Abstract

1. Progress and stagnation of the ideas on Green Space Conservation after the war
1) Securing Open Space on the reconstruction plan
The feature of open space acquisition in the disordered period after the war was that the funder, mental policy indicated the more than 10% of city area as open space reservation. It was a great progress compared with the 3% of occupancy of Plot Planning Standard before the war.
Based on the fundermental policy, Open Space Plan of 10 million Tsubo (3, 300ha) was prepared by Mr. Ishikawa and other members in Tokyo. In that plan, total area of open space was approximately 9, 700, 000 Tsubo, comprising 34 places with the total length of 160km.
2) Green Space Zone provided by Special City Planning Act
Total area, 54, 480, 000 Tsubo (18, 010ha) of green space zone was designed outside of above mentioned open space by the Act for the purpose of 1) control of expanding cities, 1) conservation and provision of recreation for the people of cities, 3) maintenance of agricultural zone.
3) Stagnation of Green Space Strategy
Embodiment of Open Space secured by the reconstruction plan and Green Space Zone designated by Special City Planning Act were likely to occure the establishment of Green Space System. In 1949, however, the postwar construction plan was re-examined and reduced in scale to dismiss the acquisition of 10% green space. Green Space Zone has been gradually reduced its scale by the mid 1950's.
2. The movement of Open Space Conservation
In 1949, the construction of a baseball ground by reclaiming the Pond Shinobazu in Ueno Park gave rise to a big debate. People who encouraged the construction plan were mainly the people concerned with athletics such as the committee of International Baseball Ground Construction. Opposite side were City Beautification Association, Open Space Association and City Planning Association. With the effort of these organization, the Pond Shinobazu was restored to maintain its existance.
3. Hama Villa Garden and Arterial Street
In 1953, the route of passing through the edge of Hama Villa Garden was proposed on Arterial Street Plan. Many landscape Architects opposed against the route plan and insisted on its change. Although this problem was solved by chaning the route of the plan the lack of recognition of people concerned showed the serious problem about cultural property.
4. Enactment of City Park Act
In 1956, the first City Park Act of our country was enacted, though its movement has been already undertaken for a half century. The main objectives of enacting the Act were 1) to maintain parks, 2) to define the right of park management. This Act also adopted the area of 6m2 person for the standard of provision of parks. It must be mentioned that Mr. A. Satoh made a great contribution toward the enactment of the Act.
5. Civic movement of“Flower and green campaign”
In 1955, “HANA-IPPAI”civic movement, advocated by Mr. I. Komatsu in Matsumoto City was started and was gradually spread all over the country. From the latter half of 1950's, National Conference was taken place and began its activity. Now the Conference is held once a year.