2007 Volume 59 Issue 1 Pages 57-72
The purpose of this research is to clarify the supply trends of private-sector condominiums and their characteristics in Chuo Ward, Sapporo City, Hokkaido, Japan. Recent changes in condominium supply levels in Chuo Ward were examined along with changes in their proportion within the Sapporo metropolitan area as a whole. The ratio of Chuo Ward (a central ward) condominiums decreased during the time of Japan’s Bubble Economy period (1989–1991), but rose again in the 1990s when land prices in central Sapporo fell. The relationship between mortgage funds and the supply of condominiums was also analyzed and the results suggest that the supply increased whenever the mortgage rate was low. The study also reveals that the ratio of Hokkaido-based condominium developers fell during the Bubble Economy period, whereas the rise in developers from Tokyo was remarkable. The location of new condominiums in Chuo Ward was examined and the most populated places appear to be those accessible to stations on the Tozai Subway Line, including Maruyama-Koen and Nishi-28-Chome stations. In addition, zoning regulations also determined the location of new condominiums. In this research, a questionnaire survey was made of condominium residents. This showed a tendency for middle-aged and older people to move into apartment living from owner-occupied detached houses. A major advantage cited was the protection from snowfall and ease of accessibility from their accommodation during the city’s winter. However, central city condominiums suffer from inconveniences related to daily shopping, especially in regard to a lack of food establishments.
