On the relation between valley topography and urban activity distribution in the term of cohesiveness of shops

Abstract

In the current urban space, while new cities are being created due to the changing times, the original personality of the land has gone down. Even so, the terrain existing as the basis of the space is an inherent personality of the place. Thus, especially intricate terrain such as valleys possibly shows unique influence on human urban activities, not flat terrain. Based on this background, this study analyzed the recent distribution of shops in the valley based on the contrast between valley topography and places where shops agglomerate, in order to clarify the effect of valley topography in the 23 wards of Tokyo. The result showed that, in the narrow area around the valley topography, the commercial area gathers in the valley area. It also suggested that a compressing effect that brings about agglomeration of shops exists in places where a valley narrows and valleys meet.