Abstract
Environmental Water is a water right established by MLIT in 2006 for the sake of water quality, aesthetics and an ecological system. Given that the irrigation system has consistently provided various impacts on our society, this paper examines the extent to which Environmental Water affects current urban areas. As of now, there are seven districts, including three districts in urban areas, that have acquired Environmental Water. Based on interviews with community members in those urban areas, it was revealed that Environmental Water generates a new human network and reinforces existing communities. The insights gained in this paper indicate that it is important to take Environmental Water into consideration as an effective resource for urban planning.
