Abstract
In recent years, Urban canals have been criticized with their stereotyped use patterns due to monotonous space structure. In view of this state of affairs, this research was designed to disclose “administrative canal plans, ”“relationship between canals and residents, ”“characteristics of canals, ” and eventually “space structure contributing to the formation of the said characteristics” regarding canals in Koto-ku, Tokyo, for the period from the Edo Era to the present. To attain these goals, we implemented literary search and personal interviews. As a result of such research, we pointed out that past canal development was limited to steps for “tree planting” and “promenade development” within the waterfront area, not for space (area feature) creation surrounding canals. Furthermore, we revealed, as “design vocabulary” for future development of canals, nine “characteristics of canals” and seven elements of “space structure”(character of canals).
