Potential for the utilization of vacant lots as open space in residential-commercial mixed use district in Tokyo based on their actual vacancy conditions

Abstract

This paper explored residual conditions of vacant lots in a residential-commercial mixed-use district in Tokyo and estimated the accessibility effects of utilizing vacant lots as an open space. The study was conducted in Kanda area, Chiyoda-Ward, a typical mixed residential-commercial mixed-use district. First, we conducted an on-site survey and classified the vacant lots into four types based on their remaining duration and scale. Findings suggest that small-scale and long-term vacant lots were distributed mainly in Kanda areas, most used as parking lots. Few large-scale and long-term vacant lots would be recognized as open space even under the current law. Next, we compared the utilization effects of vacant lots in terms of accessibility by neighborhood land use and building density characteristics. As a result, utilization of a cluster of vacant lots was more effective in dense areas with a lack of public open space. On the other hand, it was found that the utilization of vacant land based on the current law is insufficient to alleviate the open space shortage in dense areas. To determine which vacant land should be prioritized for future development, a further evaluation of spatial accessibility and site condition is needed.