In this article I discuss the value of sports facilities, which are essential for the development and spread of sports, from the viewpoint of city planning. Specifically, I examine the present conditions of city planning and soccer stadiums from a sociological point of view. I attempt to clarify the problems. The results of this investigation led to some important conclusions as outlined below.
(1) The Urban planning of the J League is strongly focused on urban development. Therefore the methodology regarding city planning is not evident.
(2) The attached facilities for soccer stadiums are dominated by meeting rooms and training rooms. Also, around the stadium are general sports parks, and the purpose and function of these facilities tends to be concentrated on sports. Therefore, the opportunities for public stadium interactions are limited.
(3) When looking at city planning, one can roughly classify planning into one of 3 cases: One is where stadium construction and the club foundation were carried out at the same time. Another is driven by the local government urban development. Finally, planning that is tied to a 100 years design and a local sports promotion policy.
(4) When talking about city planning, one cannot observe that stadium planning and all those involved are coordinating their efforts together. However, they are showing that they are increasing the scope of urban planning. This is due to the legal requirements regarding sports promotion and urban planning that have been developed. The comprehensive sports concept that J League has promoted has become established and the demand for sports has increased in society.
