Significance and Issues of the “Location Normalization Plan” Based on the Intension, Contents, and Points of Discussion

From the Analysis of the Public Comments for the Draft Plans

Abstract

About four years have passed since the establishment of the “Location Normalization Plan” system in Japan, and municipalities throughout the country has formulated and published the plan. This study is intended to analyze the actual situation of the process of formulating the “Location Normalization Plan” through focusing on the relevance of the intention of the local government, contents of the publicly proposed draft plan, and the points of discussion perceived through the citizens’ opinions and the responses from the local government. In conclusion, it became obvious that different municipalities utilize the system for different purposes, that disagreement in recognition concerning some specific issues between citizens and local governments remain with high probability, and that there are several obstacles to link the unique contents of the plan to the effective spatial planning system.