Abstract
Japanese urban fabrics have been transformed dramatically due to modernization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what the modernization meant by means of studying Kyoto as a case. This study provides analyses on Kyoto's Spatial Configurations throughout ages and An Urban Planning Project held in Kyoto. Our analyses revealed that a Street made strong impact on Kyoto for transforming from early modern to modern form; however, this transformation was not deliberate effect by the project. We found that the aim of the project was to convert Kyoto to a radial pattern by putting a ring road around the conventional area. In contrast to this intention, the Modern Kyoto was born by making a new centre in outer Kyoto besides the traditional centre in inner Kyoto. By way of conclusion, the modernization in Kyoto can be interpreted as a trend of de-centralization and homogenization.
