Abstract
On townscape Yokohama Chinatown is in contrast with the neighboring area inside Yamashita-cho in the ex-settlement area. Use and scale of lot are both fundamental factors to characterize townscape, and seem to contrast the two areas. This study aims to clarify the formational process of the contrast. Cadastres from 1916 to 1960 in Yamashita-cho were examined to pursuit the fact both on the change of land ownership and on division or integration of lot. As a result, it was clarified that the two events contrasted the two areas. Firstly, the land readjustment after the Great Earthquake Disaster accelerated division of lot. But lots were almost possessed by corporation or public near the waterfront out of the area called Chinatown later. Secondly, the requisition by the occupation forces after World War 2 was not applied to Chinatown. Private possession and division of lot were accelerated there but division of lot was frozen in the neighboring area under the requisition.
